In-Depth Analysis of the Investment Logic Behind CATL's Strategic Stake in Fulin Seiko

#strategic_investment #lithium_iron_phosphate #battery_supply_chain #catl #ev_battery #vertical_integration #new_energy
Neutral
A-Share
January 21, 2026

Unlock More Features

Login to access AI-powered analysis, deep research reports and more advanced features

About us: Ginlix AI is the AI Investment Copilot powered by real data, bridging advanced AI with professional financial databases to provide verifiable, truth-based answers. Please use the chat box below to ask any financial question.

Related Stocks

300432
--
300432
--
300750
--
300750
--

Based on the collected information, I will provide you with an in-depth analysis report on the investment logic behind CATL’s strategic stake in Fulin Seiko.


In-Depth Analysis of the Investment Logic Behind CATL’s Strategic Stake in Fulin Seiko
I. Investment Overview

On the evening of January 13, 2026, Fulin Seiko (300432.SZ) issued an announcement stating its plan to introduce CATL as a strategic investor via private placement of shares. CATL will subscribe for

233 million shares
at a price of
RMB 13.62 per share
, with a total investment of
RMB 3.175 billion
. After the transaction is completed, its shareholding ratio is expected to exceed
5%
[1][2][3].

The funds raised in this offering will be mainly used for the following projects:

  • Annual 500,000 metric tons of high-end lithium iron phosphate for energy storage project
  • Key components project for electric drive systems of new energy vehicles
  • Robot integrated electric joint project
  • Key components project for intelligent chassis wire control systems
  • Key components project for power systems of low-altitude aircraft

Meanwhile, the two parties signed a “Strategic Cooperation Agreement”, stipulating that

CATL will purchase no less than 3 million metric tons of lithium iron phosphate products from Fulin Seiko in the next three years (2026-2028)
[1][2][4].


II. Industry Background: Lithium Iron Phosphate Enters a Cyclical Reversal
2.1 Cyclical Recovery of the Industry

After experiencing

three consecutive years of industry-wide losses
, the lithium iron phosphate industry is entering a cyclical recovery. According to data from the China Chemical and Physical Power Sources Industry Association, the average
asset-liability ratio of member enterprises of the Lithium Iron Phosphate Materials Branch reaches 67.81%
, and industry reshuffling is intensifying[5][6].

From the end of 2025 to the beginning of 2026, multiple positive signals have emerged in the industry:

  • Leading manufacturers (Hunan Yuneng, Wanrun New Energy, Anda Technology, etc.) have collectively suspended production for maintenance, with an obvious intention to support prices[6]
  • The price of lithium iron phosphate materials has risen from less than
    RMB 40,000 per metric ton
    in November 2025 to
    more than RMB 50,000 per metric ton
    in January 2026[1]
  • Negotiations on processing fee increases have basically been completed, with a general acceptance of an increase of approximately
    RMB 1,000 per metric ton
    [6]
2.2 Tight Supply-Demand Balance of High Compaction Density Lithium Iron Phosphate

Fourth-generation high compaction density lithium iron phosphate
has become the focus of the market. According to CITIC Securities’ forecast:

  • From January to November 2025, China’s lithium iron phosphate production reached
    3.48 million metric tons
    , a year-on-year increase of
    57.9%
    [1]
  • In 2026, high-end (fourth-generation) products will still be in a
    state of structural shortage
    , with an estimated annual demand of approximately
    1.5 million metric tons
    , while actual supply is only
    1-1.2 million metric tons
    [1][7]

This technological upgrade direction is highly aligned with the product iteration of CATL’s Shenxing Battery and Qilin Battery. In 2024, these two batteries together accounted for

30-40%
of CATL’s power battery sales, and the proportion is expected to rise to
60-70%
in 2025[7].


III. Fulin Seiko: Strategic Value of CATL’s Core Supplier
3.1 Company Overview

Fulin Seiko was founded in 1997 and listed on the Growth Enterprise Market of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in March 2015. Its main businesses include:

  • Automotive engine components
    (traditional competitive business)
  • Intelligent electronic control systems for new energy vehicles
  • Precision gear shafts and robot electric joints
  • Lithium iron phosphate, a cathode material for new energy lithium batteries
    (core growth driver)[2][8]

The company operates its lithium battery cathode material business through its subsidiary

Jiangxi Shenghua New Materials Co., Ltd.
As of 2025, Fulin Seiko has consecutively won CATL’s
2024 and 2025 Excellent Supplier Awards
[4].

3.2 Technological and Process Advantages

Fulin Seiko uses the

ferrous oxalate preparation process
to produce lithium iron phosphate. Compared with the mainstream iron phosphate method, it has the following advantages:

  • The product has
    higher compaction density
    , which is a key raw material for manufacturing high-energy-density lithium iron phosphate batteries[3]
  • It is more suitable for the application needs of fast-charging power batteries and large-capacity energy storage batteries[1]

The company currently has an annual production capacity of

300,000 metric tons
of high compaction density lithium iron phosphate and is continuing to expand production[3].

3.3 Financial Performance
Indicator Data
Total Market Capitalization RMB 34.98 billion
Total Revenue (TTM) RMB 9.085 billion (YoY +54.43%)
Net Profit RMB 325.1 million (YoY +4.63%)
Gross Profit Margin 11.23%
Liability Ratio 63.65%

Jiangxi Shenghua, the subsidiary, achieved a net profit of

RMB 63.7814 million
in the first half of 2025, successfully turning losses into profits[3].


IV. CATL’s Strategic Considerations
4.1 Supply Chain Security and Cost Control

CATL has launched a “combination of moves” this time, signing lithium iron phosphate supply agreements totaling

over 6 million metric tons
with Ronbay Technology (3.05 million metric tons over 5 years) and Fulin Seiko (3 million metric tons over 3 years) within one day[1][2].

Industry analysis points out that by locking in upstream resources, CATL is expected to

reduce the cost of lithium iron phosphate batteries by approximately 8-10%
, building a cost moat in the current fierce price competition[2].

4.2 Diversified “CATL Chain” System

CATL has built a lithium iron phosphate supply network covering multiple technical routes and regions:

Supplier Supply Volume Cooperation Model
Hunan Yuneng Approximately 500,000 metric tons/year Equity binding (shareholding of nearly 10%)
Fulin Seiko 1 million metric tons/year Strategic stake + long-term agreement
Ronbay Technology 610,000 metric tons/year Long-term agreement (RMB 120 billion)
Wanrun New Energy 265,000 metric tons/year Long-term agreement (2025-2030)
Dynanonic - Joint venture factory
Longpan Technology 157,500 metric tons/year Overseas base cooperation

Overall, the locked-in lithium iron phosphate supply volume of CATL has reached

2.4 million metric tons/year
, which can support an annual battery production of approximately
1 TWh
[3][5].

4.3 Perspective of Strategic Investor

For the investment in Fulin Seiko, CATL not only obtains financial returns, but more importantly:

  1. Technological Synergy
    : Jointly develop a new generation of higher compaction density lithium iron phosphate materials[4]
  2. Capacity Guarantee
    : Lock in the supply of high-end products to support its own battery technology iteration[4]
  3. Layout in Emerging Fields
    : The scope of cooperation extends to cutting-edge fields such as robots, intelligent chassis, and low-altitude aircraft[2][4]

V. Analysis of Industrial Chain Synergies
5.1 Vertical Synergy
Lithium iron phosphate cathode materials ← Fulin Seiko (CATL holds a stake in Jiangxi Shenghua)
        ↓
    Power/energy storage batteries ← CATL
        ↓
    New energy vehicles/energy storage systems

Through capital ties, CATL has achieved deep binding with core cathode material suppliers, ensuring supply chain stability and product quality consistency[4].

5.2 Horizontal Expansion

The cooperation between the two parties is not limited to lithium iron phosphate materials, but also involves:

  • Electric drive systems for new energy vehicles
    : Fulin Seiko already has R&D and production capabilities for intelligent electronic control systems
  • Key robot components
    : Fulin Seiko cooperates with ZhiYuan Robotics to provide precision reducers and intelligent electric joints for robots[2]
  • Intelligent chassis wire control systems
    : Aligning with the development trend of intelligent driving
  • Power systems for low-altitude aircraft
    : Forward-looking layout in emerging markets[2]
5.3 Synergy in the Robot Track

Fulin Seiko has become a supplier of key robot components. In August 2025, it reached a project cooperation worth tens of millions of RMB with ZhiYuan Robotics, and nearly 100 humanoid robots have been deployed in Fulin Seiko’s factories[2]. CATL also has an in-depth layout in the robot track, having invested in enterprises such as Qianxun Intelligent, Zhongqing Robotics, Galaxy General, and Vita Power[2]. The cooperation between the two parties in the robot field can form an industrial effect of

1+1>2
.


VI. Summary of Investment Logic
Core Logic 1: Locking Orders at the Bottom of the Cycle to Reduce Costs

After two years of decline, lithium iron phosphate prices are at the bottom of the cycle. CATL’s large-scale supply locking at this time takes into account both

cost control
and
supply chain security
[3][6].

Core Logic 2: Strategic Positioning of High-End Capacity

High compaction density lithium iron phosphate has high technical barriers, and only a few enterprises can achieve stable mass production. Fulin Seiko’s technological advantages in the ferrous oxalate process make it a

scarce resource
for CATL’s high-end product supply[1][3].

Core Logic 3: Strengthening Discourse Power in the Industrial Chain

Through the dual means of “order binding + capital ties”, CATL has further consolidated its

dominance
in the industrial chain, forming a
vertical moat
from resources to high-end materials[1][3][5].

Core Logic 4: Forward-Looking Layout in Emerging Tracks

The extension of cooperation to fields such as robots, intelligent chassis, and low-altitude aircraft reflects the strategic consensus of both parties on the

future evolution direction of the industry
, reserving space for long-term growth[2][4].


VII. Risk Warnings
  1. Approval Risk
    : This offering is still subject to shareholder meeting review, Shenzhen Stock Exchange approval, and CSRC registration[4]
  2. Performance Risk
    : The lithium iron phosphate industry continues to expand production, and may face pressure from overcapacity[5][6]
  3. Price Fluctuation Risk
    : Fluctuations in raw material prices and terminal product prices may affect profitability[6]
  4. Technological Iteration Risk
    : The development of technical routes such as all-solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries may change the competitive landscape[3]

VIII. References

[1] Gasgoo - “CATL Launches a ‘Combination of Moves’” (https://m.gasgoo.com/news/70442690.html)

[2] Sina Finance - “Over RMB 3.1 Billion! CATL Plans to Take a Strategic Stake in This Key Robot Component Supplier” (https://finance.sina.com.cn/roll/2026-01-14/doc-inhhhnwp8305338.shtml)

[3] Caijing Magazine - “CATL Increases Purchases of Lithium Iron Phosphate, ‘CATL Chain’ Enterprises Sign Huge Orders” (http://yuanchuang.caijing.com.cn/2026/0114/5136621.shtml)

[4] Shanghai Securities News - “Fulin Seiko: Announcement on Signing the ‘Strategic Cooperation Agreement’” (https://paper.cnstock.com/html/2026-01/14/content_2169573.htm)

[5] Futu News - “Under the Wave of Over 4.1 Million Metric Tons of Capacity Expansion: Overcapacity, Frenzy, and ‘Fragmentation’ of Lithium Iron Phosphate” (https://news.futunn.com/post/67635573)

[6] EET China - “Energy Storage Becomes a New Growth Point, Lithium Iron Phosphate Price Hike Wave Will Continue Until 2026” (https://www.eet-china.com/news/202512163871.html)

[7] Eastmoney - “Four Key Focuses of the Lithium Battery Industry in 2026” (https://pdf.dfcfw.com/pdf/H3_AP202512311811875727_1.pdf)

[8] Eastmoney.com - “Fulin Seiko (300432) Company Profile” (http://quote.eastmoney.com/sz300432.html)

Related Reading Recommendations
No recommended articles
Ask based on this news for deep analysis...
Alpha Deep Research
Auto Accept Plan

Insights are generated using AI models and historical data for informational purposes only. They do not constitute investment advice or recommendations. Past performance is not indicative of future results.