Risk Factors Dashboard
Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.
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The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to a significant degree of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies and courts. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the non-precedential nature of these decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. Therefore, it is possible that our existing operations may be found not to be in full compliance with relevant laws and regulations in the future. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and which may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation.
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The PRC government has initiated a series of regulatory actions and made a number of public statements on the regulation of business operations in China, including cracking down on illegal activities in the securities market, enhancing supervision over China-based companies listed overseas using a variable interest entity (“VIE”) structure, adopting new measures to extend the scope of cybersecurity reviews, and expanding efforts in anti-monopoly enforcement. We do not believe that our subsidiaries in China are directly subject to these regulatory actions or statements, as we have not carried out any monopolistic behavior, we have never adopted a VIE structure, and our business does not involve any restricted industry or implicate cybersecurity.
For additional information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. Its oversight and discretion over our business could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. Changes in laws, regulations and policies in China and uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly” on page 16, “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—Changes in U.S. and Chinese regulations or in relations between the United States and China may adversely impact our business, our operating results, our ability to raise capital and the value of our securities. Any such changes may take place quickly and with very little notice” on page 18 and Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations” on page 19.
The Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act
In December 2021, the SEC adopted rules (the “Final Rules”) to implement the Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act (the “HFCAA”). The HFCAA includes requirements for the SEC to identify issuers who file annual reports with audit reports issued by independent registered public accounting firms located in foreign jurisdictions that the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) is unable to inspect or investigate completely because of a position taken by a non-U.S. authority in the accounting firm’s jurisdiction (“Commission-Identified Issuers”). The HFCAA also requires that, to the extent that the PCAOB has been unable to inspect an issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm for three consecutive years since 2021, the SEC shall prohibit the issuer’s securities registered in the United States from being traded on any national securities exchange or over-the-counter markets in the United States. On June 22, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act, and on December 29, 2022, legislation entitled “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023” (the “Consolidated Appropriations Act”) was signed into law, which contained, among other things, an identical provision to the Accelerating Holding Foreign Companies Accountable Act and amended the HFCAA by requiring the SEC to prohibit an issuer’s securities from trading on any U.S. stock exchanges if its auditor is not subject to PCAOB inspections for two consecutive years instead of three.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong, including our former auditor, Centurion ZD CPA & Co. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we have not been identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer after we filed on April 14, 2023 the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and do not expect to be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we file this annual report on Form 10-K. Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we continue to use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 10-K for the relevant fiscal year. Our current auditor, ARK Pro CPA & Co, is headquartered in Hong Kong. There can be no assurance that we would not be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for any future fiscal year, and if we were so identified for two consecutive years, we would become subject to the prohibition on trading under the HFCAA, as amended.
For additional information, see “Risk Factor—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our former auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our former auditor in the past has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections. Our common stock may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of our common stock, or the threat of its being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment” on page 15.
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Permissions Required from the PRC Authorities for Our Business Operations and Securities Offering
In addition to regular business licenses, we are required to obtain the pollutants discharge permit to operate our business in the PRC. We believe that our PRC operating subsidiaries have obtained all requisite permissions for our operations in all material aspects from relevant Chinese authorities and none of the requisite permissions for our operations in all material aspects have been denied by the Chinese authorities. However, we cannot assure you that our PRC subsidiaries are always able to successfully update or renew the licenses or permits required for the relevant business in a timely manner or that these licenses or permits are sufficient to conduct all of our present or future business. If our PRC subsidiaries (i) do not receive or maintain required permissions or approvals, (ii) inadvertently conclude that such permissions or approvals are not required, or (iii) applicable laws, regulations, or interpretations change and our PRC subsidiaries are required to obtain such permissions or approvals in the future, we could be subject to fines, legal sanctions or an order to suspend our PRC operating subsidiaries’ business, which may materially and adversely affect the business, financial condition and results of operations of us.
In connection with our previous issuance of securities, under current PRC laws, regulations and regulatory rules, as of the date of this annual report, we believe that we and our PRC subsidiaries, (i) are not required to obtain permissions from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”), (ii) are not required to go through cybersecurity review by the Cyberspace Administration of China (the “CAC”), and (iii) have not received or were denied such requisite permissions by any PRC authority. We cannot guarantee that the regulators will agree with us. As of the date hereof, we have not been involved in any investigations for cybersecurity review made by the CAC, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanctions in such respect.
However, the PRC government has indicated an intent to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. The CSRC published the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines on February 17, 2023, designed to regulate overseas securities offerings by PRC domestic companies. On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with the Ministry of Finance, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing, which were issued by the CSRC and National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the “Provisions.” The revised Provisions were issued under the title the “Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies,” and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures.
Although the Trial Measures, Listing Guidelines, and Revised Provisions have been in effect since March 2023, there remains significant uncertainty as to the enactment, interpretation and implementation of regulatory requirements related to overseas securities offerings and other capital markets activities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, as of the date of this report, we are not aware of any PRC laws or regulations in effect requiring that we obtain permission from any PRC authorities to issue securities to foreign investors, and we have not received any inquiry, notice, warning, or sanction from the CSRC, the CAC, or any other PRC authorities that have jurisdiction over our operations.
For additional information, see “Risk Factor—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government has increasingly strengthened oversight in offerings conducted overseas or on foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and our common stock could decline in value or become worthless.” on page 16.
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Cash and Asset Flows Through Our Organization
Under relevant PRC laws and regulations, we are permitted to provide funding from the proceeds of our overseas capital raising activities to our PRC subsidiaries only through loans or capital contributions. In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, we transferred $7.3 million and $2.4 million to our PRC subsidiaries as capital contribution, respectively. In the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and 2022, we transferred $69.1 million and nil to our PRC subsidiaries as capital contribution, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, CBAK Energy Technology, Inc., the Nevada issuer, had made cumulative capital contributions of $148.3 million to our existing PRC subsidiaries, which were accounted as long-term investments by us.
Before Hitrans was acquired by us in November 2021, it declared dividends twice. In January 2020, Hitrans declared dividends for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. A dividend of $2,958,048 was declared and paid to its shareholder Zhejiang Meidu Graphene Technology Co., Ltd. For other shareholders, a total dividend of $2,480,944 was declared in January 2020 of which $1,250,181 was waived by us upon the completion of its acquisition and the balance remains unpaid as of the date of this report. For other shareholders, a total dividend of $2,480,944 was declared in January 2020 but remains unpaid. In March 2018, Hitrans declared a dividend of $1,333,135 for the year ended December 31, 2017, among which $533,254 was paid in July 2018 and the remaining $799,881 was paid in 2019. Except for the above dividends, we and our PRC subsidiaries have not previously declared or paid any cash dividend or dividend in kind, and have no plan to declare or pay any dividends in the near future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Under PRC laws and regulations, we are subject to various restrictions on intercompany fund transfers and foreign exchange control. To the extent our cash is in the PRC or held by a PRC entity, the funds may not be available for the distribution of dividends to our investors, or for other use outside of the PRC, due to the restrictions and limitations on our ability imposed by the PRC government to transfer cash. The PRC government imposes controls on the convertibility of Renminbi into foreign currencies and, in certain cases, the remittance of currency out of mainland China. Our PRC subsidiaries receive substantially revenue in RMB, EUR and USD. Our PRC subsidiaries receive substantially all revenue in RMB. Our PRC subsidiaries may pay dividends only out of their accumulated after-tax profits, if any, upon satisfaction of relevant statutory conditions and procedures and determined in accordance with Chinese accounting standards and regulations. If the PRC foreign exchange control system prevents us from obtaining sufficient foreign currencies to satisfy the foreign currency demands, we may not be able to pay dividends in foreign currencies to our shareholders. Additionally, we may make loans to our PRC subsidiaries subject to the approval from or registration with PRC governmental authorities and limitation on amount, or we may make additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries. PRC regulation of loans to and direct investment in PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may delay or prevent us from using our funds to make loans or additional capital contributions to our PRC subsidiaries, which could materially and adversely affect the liquidity of our PRC subsidiaries and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC, and cause the value of our securities to significantly decline or become worthless. We cannot assure you that the PRC government will not intervene in or impose restrictions on our ability to make intercompany cash transfers.
For additional information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. Its oversight and discretion over our business could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. Changes in laws, regulations and policies in China and uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly” On page 16 and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Doing Business in China—PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. from making additional capital contributions or loans to its PRC subsidiaries” on page 21.
Summary of Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The following is a summary of significant risk factors and uncertainties that may affect our business, which are discussed in more detail below under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in this annual report on Form 10-K:
| ● | The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. Its oversight and discretion over our business could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. Its oversight and discretion over our business could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. Changes in laws, regulations and policies in China and uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us. Changes in laws, regulations and policies in China and uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice. |
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| ● | The PRC government has increasingly strengthened oversight in offerings conducted overseas or on foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and our common stock could decline in value or become worthless. |
| ● | Changes in U.S. and Chinese regulations or in relations between the United States and China may adversely impact our business, our operating results, our ability to raise capital and the value of our securities. Any such changes may take place quickly and with very little notice. |
| ● | There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations. |
| ● | CBAK Energy Technology, Inc., as a holding company incorporated in Nevada, the United States, without material operations of its own, relies on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its PRC operating subsidiaries for its cash needs. |
| ● | Investors may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon U.S. laws, including the federal securities laws or other foreign laws against us or our management. |
| ● | Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. |
| ● | There are inherent risks associated with new product development and our efforts to develop and market new products could fail. |
| ● | Our failure, if any, to keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards may cause our products to become obsolete and less marketable, resulting in loss of market share to our competitors. |
| ● | Maintaining our R&D activities and manufacturing operations require significant capital expenditures, and our inability or failure to maintain our operations could have a material adverse impact on our market share and ability to generate revenue. |
| ● | We face intense competition from other battery manufacturers and cathode material and precursor producers, many of which have significantly greater resources. |
| ● | We are dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues, including international customers across multiple continents, and this dependence is likely to continue. |
| ● | We face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our products internationally, including in new markets such as Africa, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, they could impair our ability to expand our business abroad. |
| ● | Our expansion into the African market subjects us to significant operational, regulatory, political, and economic risks that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. |
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| ● | Our business depends on the growth in demand for light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage, such as residential energy supply and UPS application, and other high-power electric devices. |
| ● | Our success, in part, depends on the success of manufacturers of the end applications that use our products, and our failure to gain acceptance of our products from such manufacturers could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability. |
| ● | We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present potential conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. |
| ● | While certain of our subsidiaries maintain product liability insurance, we do not maintain comprehensive product liability insurance across all our operations to cover all claims against our product quality. Defects in our products could result in a loss of customers and decrease in revenue, unexpected expenses and a loss of market share. |
| ● | We do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers, which may result in significant uncertainties and volatility with respect to our revenue from period to period. |
| ● | We rely significantly on technology and systems to support our production, supply chain, payments, financial reporting and other key aspects of our business. Any failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of those systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and brand, financial condition, and results of operations. |
| ● | We and our independent public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025. If we fail to remediate the material weaknesses, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected. |
| ● | Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may cause the market price of common stock to fluctuate significantly. |
| ● | Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. |
| ● | Other risks identified in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC, including those identified in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” below. |
Enforceability of Civil Liabilities
There is uncertainty as to whether the courts of China would:
| ● | recognize or enforce judgments of United States courts obtained against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States; or |
| ● | entertain original actions brought in each respective jurisdiction against us or our directors or officers predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state in the United States. |
The recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments are provided for under PRC Civil Procedures Law. PRC courts may recognize and enforce foreign judgments in accordance with the requirements of PRC Civil Procedures Law based either on treaties between China and the country where the judgment is made or on reciprocity between jurisdictions. China does not have any treaties or other form of reciprocity with the United States that provide for the reciprocal recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. In addition, according to the PRC Civil Procedures Law, courts in the PRC will not enforce a foreign judgment against us or our directors and officers if they decide that the judgment violates the basic principles of PRC law or national sovereignty, security or public interest. As a result, it is uncertain whether and on what basis a PRC court would enforce a judgment rendered by a court in the United States. Under the PRC Civil Procedures Law, foreign shareholders may originate actions based on PRC law against us in the PRC, if they can establish sufficient nexus to the PRC for a PRC court to have jurisdiction, and meet other procedural requirements, including, among others, the plaintiff must have a direct interest in the case, and there must be a concrete claim, a factual basis and a cause for the suit. However, it would be difficult for foreign shareholders to establish sufficient nexus to the PRC by virtue only of holding our shares of common stock.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Overview of Our Business
We are a manufacturer of new energy high power lithium and sodium batteries that are mainly used in light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage such as residential energy supply & uninterruptible power supply (UPS) application, and other high-power applications. Our primary product offerings consist of new energy high power lithium and sodium batteries, as well as battery pack products. Our primary product offering consists of new energy high power lithium batteries, but we are also seeking to expand into the production and sale of light electric vehicles. In addition, after completing the acquisition of 81.56% of registered equity interests (such ownership percentage reduced to 73.46% of registered equity interests (representing 79.64% of paid-up capital as of December 31, 2025)) of Hitrans in November 2021, we entered the business of developing and manufacturing NCM precursor and cathode materials. Hitrans is a leading developer and manufacturer of ternary precursor and cathode materials in China, whose products have a wide range of applications on batteries that would be applied to electric vehicles, electric tools, high-end digital products and storage, among others. Hitrans is a leading developer and manufacturer of ternary precursor and cathode materials in China, whose products have a wide range of applications including electric vehicles, electric tools, high-end digital products and storage, among others.
As of December 31, 2025, we report financial and operational information in two segments: (i) production of high-power lithium and sodium battery cells, and (ii) manufacture and sale of materials used in high-power lithium battery cells.
We generated revenues of $195.2 million and $176.6 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We had a net loss of $10.4 million in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 compared to a net income of $9.6 million in the fiscal year ended 2024. As of December 31, 2025, we had an accumulated deficit of $133.8 million and net assets of $109.5 million.
Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities
We have three major manufacturing centers for new energy batteries, including lithium and sodium batteries in Nanjing, Dalian and Shangqiu, and a manufacturing plant for precursors and cathode materials in Shaoxing.
In June 2020, our wholly-owned subsidiary, BAK Asia entered into a framework investment agreement with Jiangsu Gaochun Economic Development Zone Development Group Company (“Gaochun EDZ”), a company affiliated with the local government of Gaochun Economic Development Zone in Nanjing, Jiangsu, PRC. According to the agreement, we intended to develop certain lithium battery projects within Gaochun EDZ which are expected to have a total production capacity of approximately 20 GWh per year after completion (the “Nanjing Project”). As of December 31, 2025, we had received government subsidies in an amount of RMB61.0 million (approximately $8.7 million) from Gaochun EDZ. We plan to utilize the targeted total capacity of approximately 20 GWh per year to produce lithium batteries or sodium batteries for the light electric vehicle (LEV), electric vehicle (EV), and energy storage sectors. The Company expects to achieve such capacity expansion under the Nanjing Project through two phases of construction. In Phase I, we secured plant rentals and completed interior construction by 2021, featuring two production lines. One line is dedicated to manufacturing model 32140 lithium batteries, while the other is versatile, capable of producing either model 32140 lithium or sodium batteries. The completed Phase I plants span roughly 27,173 square meters, and the two production lines constructed during Phase I have been put into operation. Our actual production capacity for Phase I stands at 1.5 GWh annually when both lines are assigned to lithium battery production. Phase II, our long-term expansion plan, aims to add another three large manufacturing plants and augment our annual production capacity by an additional 18 GWh. We planned to add two production lines to the first large manufacturing plant at Phase II initially. As of December 31, 2025, the first two production lines at Phase II had commenced mass production. Currently in the ramp-up phase, we expect to achieve the full capacity of 3 GWh from these two production lines by early 2027, which will bring the total capacity in our Nanjing Project to 4.5 GWh. The Nanjing project is fueled by strong client demand and a surge in orders. Our existing two production lines at Phase I are already operating at full capacity, and the production capacity of the new Phase II lines has been fully allocated to pending production orders.
While demand for the model 32140 cells produced at our Nanjing facility continues to grow and remains robust, we are concurrently optimizing the product portfolio at our Dalian plant. Our Dalian-manufactured model 26650 batteries historically enjoyed strong demand across European and American markets, but the model 26650—originally introduced in 2006—is nearing the end of its lifecycle, resulting in a contracting market share. Thus, we have redirected capital expenditure away from the 26650 lines, successfully transitioning to a new production line for a new model 40135 with a designed capacity of 2.3 GWh. Mass production commenced in 2025. Following the completion of the ramp-up phase, the total production capacity at our Dalian facility is projected to reach 3.3 GWh by early 2027. We have already secured a robust order book for the 40135 cells and anticipate this transition will serve as a significant revenue driver for the Dalian plant upon reaching full capacity utilization.
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Currently, our Hitrans facilities possess a manufacturing capacity of 13,000 metric tons for NCM precursors and 13,000 metric tons for NCM cathode materials. Of the cathode capacity, 10,000 metric tons are currently generated through a leased facility. To expand our proprietary infrastructure, Hitrans is constructing a new 10,000-metric-ton cathode manufacturing plant, slated for completion in September 2026 and expected to be fully operational in the first half of 2027. Additionally, Hitrans has already completed construction of a major new precursor plant featuring a capacity of 37,000 metric tons, which is anticipated to commence production in 2027.
Development of New Battery Models
Our primary battery portfolio currently features a diverse range of lithium-ion cells (Models 26650, 26700, 32140, and 40135) and an advanced 32140 sodium-ion cell. The lithium-ion models offer scalable power specifications, making them highly suitable for light electric vehicles, as well as residential and UPS energy storage applications. Concurrently, our sodium-ion cells provide a distinct competitive advantage in extreme environments, featuring exceptional low-temperature resilience and fast-charging capabilities. In-house testing demonstrates that our 32140 sodium-ion cells maintain an 85% capacity retention rate at -40°C and can charge to 90% capacity in just 10 minutes.
To maintain our competitive position, our R&D team is dedicated to developing a range of larger cylindrical battery models such as model 60115, 60135 and 60150. Larger cylindrical batteries typically offer superior performance at lower manufacturing costs. Based on different client demand, we may produce sodium versions of these models.
Acquisition of a Raw Materials Manufacturer
On July 20, 2021, CBAK Power, a wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary of the Company, entered into a framework agreement relating to CBAK Power’s investment in Zhejiang Hitrans Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd, pursuant to which CBAK Power agreed to acquire 81.56% of registered equity interests (representing 75.57% of paid-up capital) of Hitrans (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition was completed on November 26, 2021.
CBAK Power paid approximately RMB40.74 million ($6.4 million) in cash to acquire 21.56% of registered equity interests (representing 21.18% of paid-up capital) of Hitrans from Hitrans management shareholders. In addition, CBAK Power entered into a loan agreement with Hitrans to lend Hitrans approximately RMB131 million ($20.6 million) (the “Hitrans Loan”) by remitting approximately RMB131 million ($20.6 million) into the account of Shaoxing Intermediate People’s Court to remove the freeze on Zhejiang Meidu Graphene Technology Co., Ltd. (“Meidu Graphene”)’s 60% of registered equity interests (representing 54.39% of paid-up capital) of Hitrans which freeze was imposed as a result of a lawsuit for Hitrans’s failure to make payments in connection with the purchase of land use rights, plants, equipment, pollution discharge permit and other assets (the “Assets”). CBAK Power assigned RMB118 million ($18.5 million) of the Hitrans Loan to Mr. Junnan Ye as consideration for the acquisition of 60% of registered equity interests (representing 54.39% of paid-up capital) of Hitrans from Mr. Ye who, acting as an intermediary, first purchased the 60% of registered equity interests (representing 75.57% of paid-up capital) of Hitrans from Meidu Graphene. After such assignment, Hitrans shall repay Mr. Ye at least RMB70 million ($10.84 million) within two months of obtaining title to the Assets and the rest RMB48 million ($7.43 million) by December 31, 2021, along with a fixed interest of RMB3.5 million ($0.54 million) which can be reduced by up to RMB1 million ($0.15 million) if the loan is repaid before its due date. Hitrans shall repay the remaining approximately RMB13 million ($2.01 million) of the Hitrans Loan to CBAK Power at an interest rate of 6% per annum. As of January 29, 2022, Hitrans repaid all the loan principal of RMB118 million ($18.5 million) and interest of RMB3.5 million ($0.54 million) to Mr. Ye.
Prior to the Acquisition, CBAK Power and Hangzhou Juzhong Daxin Asset Management Co., Ltd. (“Juzhong Daxin”) entered into a framework investment agreement (the “Letter of Intent”) for a potential acquisition of Hitrans, and CBAK Power paid RMB20 million ($3.10 million) to Juzhong Daxin as a security deposit under the Letter of Intent. On July 27, 2021, Juzhong Daxin returned RMB7 million ($1.1 million) of the security deposit to CBAK Power. Juzhong Daxin has refused to refund an additional RMB3 million ($0.5 million), claiming that the amount was a justified risk premium for their facilitation of the acquisition. CBAK Power believes this assertion is baseless and has initiated legal proceedings against Juzhong Daxin to recover the outstanding RMB3 million. As of December 31, 2025, CBAK Power had not recovered the RMB3 million from Juzhong Daxin.
As part of the Acquisition, Hitrans obtained title to the Assets. Upon the closing of the Acquisition, CBAK Power became the largest shareholder of Hitrans holding 81.56% of its registered equity interests (representing 75.57% of paid-up capital). As required by applicable Chinese laws, CBAK Power is obliged to make capital contributions for the portion of Hitrans’s registered capital subscribed but unpaid in accordance with the articles of association of Hitrans.
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On July 8, 2022, Hitrans held a shareholder meeting to pass a resolution to increase the registered capital of Hitrans from RMB40 million to RMB44 million (approximately $6.2 million) and to accept an investment of RMB22 million (approximately $3.1 million) from Shaoxing Haiji Enterprise Management & Consulting Partnership (“Shaoxing Haiji”) and another investment of RMB18 million (approximately $2.5 million) from Mr. Haijun Wu (collectively, the “Management Shareholder Investments”). Under the resolution, 10% of the Management Shareholder Investments (RMB4 million or $0.5 million) will be counted towards Hitrans’s registered capital and the remaining 90% (RMB36 million or $5.1 million) will be treated as additional paid-in capital. Under the resolution, 10% of the Management Shareholder Investment (RMB4 million or $0.5 million) will be counted towards Hitrans’s registered capital and the remaining 90% (RMB36 million or $5.1 million) will be treated as additional paid-in capital. 25% of the Management Shareholder Investments was required to be in place before August 15, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, RMB10 million (approximately $1.4 million), representing 25% of the Management Shareholder Investments was received. 25% of the Management Shareholder Investment was required to be in place before August 15, 2022. As of September 30, 2022, RMB10 million (approximately $1.4 million), representing 25% of the Management Shareholder Investment was received. Another 25% (RMB10 million) and 50% (RMB20 million) of the Management Shareholder Investments were required to be received before December 31, 2022 and June 30, 2024, respectively. As of December 31, 2025, the 25% (RMB10 million) of the Management Shareholder Investments were received. Shaoxing Haiji and Mr. Haijun Wu are currently in negotiations with other shareholders of Hitrans to extend the payment due date for the remaining unpaid 25% and 50% of the Management Shareholder Investments to May 31, 2029. In addition, in 2022, CBAK Power injected an additional RMB60 million (approximately $8.7 million) in Hitrans comprising RMB6 million ($0.9 million) towards Hitrans’s registered capital and RMB54 million ($7.8 million) as additional paid-in capital.
On December 8, 2022, CBAK Power entered into agreements with five investors (together, the “Hitrans Investors”) to transfer an aggregate of 6.8% equity interests CBAK Power holds in Hitrans to these Hitrans Investors. Among the five investors, four of them invested RMB5 million (approximately $0.7 million) each to obtain 1.2% equity interests, respectively, while the fifth investor paid RMB10 million (approximately $1.5 million) to acquire 2.3% equity interests. Among the five investors, four of them invested RMB5 million (approximately $0.7 million) each to obtain 1.1364% equity interests, respectively, while the fifth investor paid RMB10 million (approximately $1.5 million) to acquire 2.2727% equity interests. Following an internal restructuring on March 27, 2024, CBAK New Energy, our wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired the entire 67.33% equity interest in Hitrans from CBAK Power. In November 2025, CBAK New Energy entered into an equity transfer agreement with New Era Group Zhejiang New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. to acquire an additional 6.1% equity interest in Hitrans for a total consideration of RMB 21.07 million (approximately $3.0 million). Upon the completion of this transaction in December 2025, our equity interest in Hitrans increased from 67.33% to 73.46%, representing 79.64% of paid-up capital.
Trends in End Applications of Our Products
Our business, financial condition and results of operations depend on whether end-application manufacturers are willing to use our products. We target the battery markets for light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage (such as residential energy supply & UPS application), and other high-power electric devices. However, our revenues derived from a specific end-application have been fluctuating depending on various factors such as governmental policies, technological changes, evolving industry standards and customer needs and preferences. After the acquisition of Hitrans, we have broadened our target markets to include battery manufacturers, offering them cathode materials and precursors.
In recent years, the majority of our revenue has been driven by sales of cells used in light electric vehicles, residential energy supply and UPS applications. Engineered for uncompromising safety and high energy density, our cylindrical lithium batteries are optimized for light electric vehicles that demand superior mechanical resilience and efficient thermal management. Furthermore, their highly adaptable form factor and inherent structural stability make them the ideal power solution for demanding energy storage applications—such as portable power stations and residential energy systems—where reliability and safety are absolute priorities. As a result, our top customers in recent years have predominantly come from these sectors, and we expect this trend to continue given the growing demand for our batteries.
Starting in 2025, our Nanjing BFD subsidiary initiated dedicated battery pack integration operations. By assembling individual cells into complete, plug-and-play battery systems, we bypass intermediate integrators to serve end-users directly. Currently, these manufactured pack units are predominantly engineered for, and utilized within, the light electric vehicle battery swapping infrastructure throughout the African market.
Our Corporate History and Structure
CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. was incorporated in the State of Nevada on October 4, 1999. The shares of common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. traded in the over-the-counter market through the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board between 2005 and May 31, 2006. On May 31, 2006, CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. obtained approval to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market, and trading commenced on the same date under the symbol “CBAK.” Effective November 30, 2018, the trading symbol for the common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. changed from CBAK to “CBAT.” Effective June 21, 2019, CBAK Energy Technology, Inc.’s common stock started trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”).
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We currently conduct our business primarily through (i) CBAK Power; (ii) Nanjing CBAK (as defined below); (iii) CBAK Shangqiu (as defined below); (iv) Nanjing BFD; and (v) Hitrans. All of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. ’s subsidiaries are listed below:
| ● | CBAK Energy Investments Holdings (“CBAK Energy Investments”), our wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated on February 26, 2024 under the laws of the Cayman Islands. CBAK Energy Investments does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | CBAK Energy Lithium Battery Holdings Co., Ltd. (“CBAK Energy Lithium Holdings”), our wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated on July 12, 2023 under the laws of the Cayman Islands in the name of “Hitrans Holdings,” was renamed as “CBAK Energy Lithium Battery Holdings Co., Ltd” on February 29, 2024. |
| ● | CBAK Energy Technology Limited, our wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated on September 1, 2025 under the laws of the Cayman Islands. CBAK Energy Technology Limited does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | CBAK Energy C.A. Inc. (“CBAK Energy California”), our wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated on November 17, 2025 under the laws of the State of California, the United States. CBAK Energy California does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
BAK Asia and its subsidiaries
| ● | BAK Asia, or China BAK Asia Holdings Limited, an investment holding company formed under the laws of Hong Kong on July 9, 2013. |
| ● | CBAK Power, or Dalian CBAK Power Battery Co., Ltd., wholly-owned by BAK Asia, located in Dalian, China, incorporated on December 27, 2013, focuses on the development and manufacture of high-power lithium batteries. ●CBAK Power, wholly-owned by BAK Asia, located in Dalian, China, incorporated on December 27, 2013, focuses on the development and manufacture of high-power lithium batteries. |
| ● | CBAK Shanqiu or CBAK New Energy (Shangqiu) Co., Ltd., wholly-owned by CBAK Power, located in Shangqiu, China, incorporated on July 25, 2023, focuses on the development and manufacture of high-power lithium batteries. |
| ● | Dalian CBAK Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (“CBAK Energy”), wholly-owned by BAK Asia, located in Dalian, China, incorporated on November 21, 2019. CBAK Energy does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | CBAK Energy Lithium Battery Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (“CBAK Lithium Battery Malaysia”), wholly-owned by BAK Asia, located in Malaysia, was incorporated on April 30, 2025. CBAK Lithium Battery Malaysia does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
Hitrans Holdings and its subsidiaries
| ● | Hitrans Holdings Co., Ltd. (“Hitrans Holdings”), our wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated on July 28, 2021 under the laws of the Cayman Islands, previously named “CBAK Energy Technology, Inc.”, was renamed as “Hitrans Holdings Co., Ltd.” on February 29, 2024. Hitrans Holdings owns 100% equity interests of Hong Kong Hitrans. |
| ● | Hong Kong Hitrans Holdings Company Limited (“Hong Kong Hitrans”), a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Hitrans Holdings, was incorporated on July 7, 2023 under the laws of Hong Kong, previously named “Hong Kong Nacell Holdings Company Limited”, was renamed as “Hong Kong Hitrans Holdings Company Limited” on March 28, 2024. Hong Kong Hitrans had no significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | Dalian CBAK New Energy Co., Ltd. (“CBAK New Energy”), wholly-owned by BAK Investments, located in Dalian, China, incorporated on August 14, 2013, previously named Dalian CBAK Trading Co., Ltd. until December 12, 2023, was transferred from BAK Asia to BAK Investments on December 26, 2023. On March 5, 2024, CBAK New Energy was transferred from BAK Investments to Hong Kong Hitrans. CBAK New Energy does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | Hitrans, or Zhejiang Hitrans Lithium Battery Technology Co., Ltd, 73.46% owned by CBAK Power, located in Shangyu, Shaoxing, China, incorporated on December 16, 2015, principally engaged in the business of research and development, production and sales of cathode materials and precursors for NCM lithium batteries. We plan to dissolve CBAK Suzhou in 2023. ●Hitrans, 67.33% owned by CBAK Power, located in Shangyu, Shaoxing, China, incorporated on December 16, 2015, principally engaged in the business of research and development, production and sales of cathode materials and precursors for lithium batteries. |
| ● | Shaoxing Haisheng International Trading Co., Ltd. (“Haisheng”), wholly-owned by Hitrans, located in Shangyu, Shaoxing, China, incorporated on October 9, 2021, principally engaged in the business of cathode raw materials trading. ●Haisheng, wholly-owned by Hitrans, located in Shangyu, Shaoxing, China, incorporated on October 9, 2021, principally engaged in the business of raw materials trading. |
| ● | Anhui Yuanchuang New Energy Materials Co., Ltd. (“Yuanchuang”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitrans, located in Fuyang, Anhui, China, incorporated on January 9, 2025, focuses on the production of cathode materials for NCM lithium batteries. |
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BAK Investments and its subsidiaries:
| ● | BAK Investments or BAK Asia Investments Limited, an investment holding company formed under the laws of Hong Kong; |
| ● | CBAK New Energy (Nanjing) Co., Ltd (“CBAK Nanjing”), wholly-owned by BAK Investments located in Nanjing, China, incorporated on July 31, 2020. CBAK Nanjing does not have any significant operations as of the date of this report. |
| ● | Nanjing CBAK or Nanjing CBAK New Energy Technology Co., Ltd., wholly owned by CBAK Nanjing, located in Nanjing, China, incorporated on August 6, 2020, focuses on the development and manufacture of larger-sized cylindrical lithium batteries. |
| ● | Nanjing BFD or Nanjing BFD New Energy Technology Co., Ltd, wholly-owned by CBAK Nanjing, incorporated on November 9, 2020, formally known as Nanjing Daxin, renamed on March 8, 2023, focuses on the development and manufacture of battery packs. Nanjing BFD’s original business of the development and manufacture of electric bicycle, motorcycle and automotive spare parts has been gradually marginalized. |
| ● | Shenzhen CBAK Sodium Battery New Energy Co., Ltd (“CBAK Shenzhen”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAK Investments, located in Shenzhen, China, incorporated on October 29, 2024, focuses on the research and development of sodium batteries. |
| ● | CBAK New Energy (Suzhou) Co., Ltd (“CBAK Suzhou”), 90% owned by Nanjing BFD, located in Suzhou, China, incorporated on May 4, 2018, used to focus on the development and manufacture of new energy high power battery packs. ●CBAK Suzhou, 90% owned by CBAK Power, located in Suzhou, China, incorporated on May 4, 2018, used to focus on the development and manufacture of new energy high power battery packs. CBAK Suzhou currently does not employee any local staff. Since its lease expired in October 2019, CBAK Suzhou has stopped using the facilities located at its registered address. Since its lease expired in October 2019, CBAK Suzhou has stopped using the facilities located at its registered address. Some of its business has been transferred to our subsidiaries in Dalian, and CBAK Suzhou’s remaining assets are temporarily stored in our facilities in Dalian. Some of its business has been transferred to our subsidiaries in Dalian and CBAK Suzhou’s remaining assets are temporarily stored in our facilities in Dalian. We plan to dissolve CBAK Suzhou as soon as practicable. |
Almost all of our business operations are conducted primarily through our Chinese subsidiaries. The chart below presents our current corporate structure:

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Change of Domicile
On September 23, 2025, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with CBAK Energy Technology Limited (“CBAT Cayman”), an exempted company incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to which the Company will merge with and into CBAT Cayman, with CBAT Cayman continuing as the surviving company (the “Redomicile Merger”). Upon consummation of the Redomicile Merger, CBAT Cayman will succeed, without interruption, to all of the Company’s assets, liabilities, contractual rights and obligations. Each issued and outstanding share of the Company’s common stock will be cancelled in exchange for one ordinary share in the capital of CBAT Cayman.
On March 18, 2026, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders at which the Company’s stockholders approved the Redomicile Merger.
The change of the Company’s place of incorporation from Nevada to the Cayman Islands is expected to (i) allow the Company to reduce operational, administrative, legal and accounting costs over the long term because CBAT Cayman is expected to qualify as a “foreign private issuer” under the rules and regulations of the SEC and be exempt from certain rules under the Exchange Act, and (ii) more closely align the Company’s corporate structure with its international corporate strategy and the corporate structure of those prominent issuers who are listed on Nasdaq or NYSE with a substantial portion of their operations located in China. The Company expects to complete the Redomicile Merger in the first half of 2026 and, upon completion, expects to qualify as a foreign private issuer as of June 30, 2026.
The only governmental or regulatory approvals required to complete the Redomicile Merger are compliance with U.S. federal and state securities laws and Nevada corporate law (including the filing of articles of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada), together with the requisite filing of the plan of merger and other ancillary documents with the Registrar of Companies in the Cayman Islands pursuant to the Cayman Companies Act. The Company has confirmed with the CSRC that the Redomicile Merger and the issuance of ordinary shares by CBAT Cayman in connection therewith will not be subject to a post-transaction filing procedure with the CSRC. It is a condition to the completion of the Redomicile Merger that CBAT Cayman’s ordinary shares be authorized for listing on Nasdaq, subject to official notice of issuance and satisfaction of other standard conditions, and the Company expects that the ordinary shares will continue to trade under the symbol “CBAT.”
The Redomicile Merger will be accounted for as a legal reorganization with no change in ultimate ownership interest immediately before and after the transaction, and all assets and liabilities will be recorded at historical cost as an exchange between entities under common control. After the Redomicile Merger, CBAT Cayman, as successor to the Company, will continue to be treated as a U.S. corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Section 7874 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company intends the Redomicile Merger to qualify as a reorganization qualifying as a statutory merger within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code, and assuming it so qualifies, stockholders of the Company will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the Redomicile Merger.
Our Products
Our cylindrical lithium batteries are manufactured using lithium iron phosphate (LFP) materials. While LFP cells offer a lower energy density compared to batteries utilizing nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) materials, they provide significant advantages in terms of longer cycle life and enhanced safety. Additionally, we offer cylindrical sodium batteries using LiMO₂ materials, specifically designed to meet the demands of ultra-low temperatures and fast-charging applications.
We currently are manufacturing the following batteries, which can be used for various applications:
On November 29, 2021, we announced the completion of the acquisition of 81.56% equity interests (such ownership percentage reduced to 73.46% of registered equity interests (representing 79.64% of paid-up capital as of December 31, 2025)) of Hitrans. We since then have incorporated the manufacture and sale of the following materials used in high power lithium batteries as part of our operations:
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Precursors are in general made from nickel salts, cobalt salts and manganese salts, and are used in manufacturing cathode materials. Cathode materials are crucial raw materials to manufacture lithium-ion batteries.
Sales and Marketing
Currently, commercial strategy for our battery segment is driven by our integrated marketing divisions in Dalian and Nanjing. Having successfully established a comprehensive sales network throughout China, these teams are actively accelerating our global footprint by developing robust international distribution channels across Europe, North America, Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia.
Hitrans, our raw materials production unit, concentrates its marketing efforts on the domestic Chinese market, with a particular focus on South and East China, targeting players in the NCM lithium industry.
We also engage in marketing activities such as attending industry-specific conferences and exhibitions to promote our products and brand name. We believe these activities are beneficial to promoting our products and brand name among key industry participants.
Suppliers
The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of lithium-ion batteries include electrode materials, steel cases, caps, foils, electrolytes and separators. The primary raw materials used in our materials business include graphite, iron phosphate and lithium phosphate. The primary raw materials used in our materials business include cobaltous sulfates, manganese sulfates, lithium hydroxides, lithium carbonates and liquid nickel sulfates. The cost of these raw materials is a key factor in pricing our products. Cost of these raw materials is a key factor in pricing our products. We source such raw materials from a number of suppliers across China. We source such raw materials from a couple of suppliers across China. We are seeking to identify alternative raw material suppliers to the extent there are viable alternatives and to expand our use of alternative raw materials. We are seeking to identify alternative raw material suppliers to the extent there are viable alternatives and to expand our use of alternative raw materials.
We aim to maintain multiple supply sources for each of our key raw materials to ensure that supply problems with any one supplier will not materially disrupt our operations. In addition, we constantly strive to develop strategic relationships with new suppliers to secure a stable supply of materials and introduce competition in our supply chain, thereby increasing our ability to negotiate better pricing and reducing our exposure to possible price fluctuations. In addition, we strive to develop strategic relationships with new suppliers to secure a stable supply of materials and introduce competition in our supply chain, thereby increasing our ability to negotiate better pricing and reducing our exposure to possible price fluctuations.
Intellectual Property
As of December 31, 2025, CBAK Power held 171 patents in the PRC, which will expire between 2026 to 2042. Among the 171 patents, two were acquired by BAK Asia, from an unrelated third party at RMB1 and were contributed as paid-in capital to CBAK Power. As of December 31, 2025, CBAK Energy held 9 patents in the PRC, all of which will expire between 2030 and 2040; Nanjing CBAK held 54 patents in the PRC, all of which will expire between 2031 and 2044; Nanjing BFD held 49 patents in the PRC, all of which will expire between 2028 and 2042; and Hitrans held 28 patents in the PRC, all of which will expire between 2028 and 2045.
We have registered the following Internet and WAP domain name: www.cbak.com.cn.
We also have unpatented proprietary technologies for our product offerings and key stages of the manufacturing process. Our management and key technical personnel have entered into agreements requiring them to keep confidential all information relating to our customers, methods, business and trade secrets during their terms of employment with us and thereafter and to assign to us their inventions, technologies and designs they develop during their term of employment with us.
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We have institutionalized our efforts to safeguard our intellectual property rights by establishing an internal department that includes professionals such as attorneys, engineers, information managers and archives managers responsible for handling matters relating to our intellectual property rights. We have published internally a series of rules to protect our intellectual property rights.
While our intellectual property rights in the aggregate are important to our business operations, we do not believe that our business would be materially affected by the expiration of any particular intellectual property right.
Seasonality
Seasonality does not materially affect our business or operating results. As our battery cell and battery material products have a wide range of applications, we have not experienced significant seasonal fluctuations in market demands or sales recently. Market demands for our products generally slightly drop during the Chinese New Year holiday, a major national holiday in China.
Customers
Currently, major customers for our high -power lithium batteries business include Anker Innovations, Spiro Mobility, Scania (which became our direct ordering entity following its acquisition of a Northvolt business unit that originally procured our products, subsequently operating under the name Bucida), Ather Energy, Shenzhen ACE Battery, DAT Bike and Inverted Energy. We believe that our revenue and market share will increase as we gradually expand our high-power battery production to meet the growing demand for these batteries.
Geography of Sales
Our revenues are generated from both domestic and international customers, but the percentage contribution from each group varies significantly from year to year. The following table sets forth certain information relating to our total revenues by location of our customers for the last two fiscal years:
Competition
We face intense competition from high-power lithium battery makers and raw materials manufacturers in China. The following table sets forth our major competitors in the battery market broken down by battery models as well as in the materials market, as of December 31, 2025:
We believe that we are able to leverage our cutting-edge battery manufacturing techniques and R&D capabilities to compete favorably with our competitors. Compared to other Chinese battery makers, we believe we have higher consistency and safety in product quality, which enables us to compete favorably with our competitors. Compared to Chinese battery makers, we believe we have higher consistency and safety in product quality, which enables us to compete favorably with local competitors.
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Research and Development
The development of advanced electric vehicles and new-type energy storage in China has created a significant demand for the R&D of next-generation advanced lithium, sodium and other type of batteries and their key materials, which must be characterized by high energy density, high security, long-lasting life, and low cost. Furthermore, the training of technical talent in this field is equally important.
We have strategically restructured our innovation pipeline by establishing a centralized R&D Institute. This new institute seamlessly integrates research personnel from our Dalian and Nanjing bases and wholly incorporates the staff, equipment, and proprietary technological achievements of BAK Tianjin. Drawing on BAK Tianjin’s extensive pedigree—which includes the successful development and distribution of high-power lithium-ion batteries for electric mobility and energy storage applications dating back to as early as December 2006—our R&D capabilities are now fully unified. Furthermore, to support future scaling, we are currently investing in the construction of a larger, next-generation R&D center as a primary initiative within our Phase II Nanjing Project.
Our R&D personnel developed model 32140 and 40135 lithium cells in house which have become one of the best large cylindrical battery models in the world. Furthermore, our R&D team successfully developed model 32140 sodium cell, making us one of only a few companies in the world that are capable of mass producing sodium-ion batteries. Our sodium cells can be used in ultra-low temperature conditions and have fast-charging capability. Actual testing data shows that our model 32140 sodium cells retain 85% capacity under -40℃ and could be charged to 90% capacity within 10 minutes.
To defend and advance our market positioning, we are broadening our cylindrical battery lineup with next-generation, large-format models, including the 60115, 60135, and 60150. These advanced form factors offer substantially higher energy capacities than our preceding product generations. Ultimately, this structural transition unlocks significant manufacturing efficiencies—driving down unit production costs while elevating overall performance—expressly designed to capture expanding demand within the LEV and energy storage sectors.
In addition to our efforts to develop new batteries at lower cost and higher energy density, we are also focusing on the research and development of high-nickel low-cobalt materials featuring high energy density, low cost and broader applications. We operate an advanced R&D center in Shaoxing that is focused on battery materials. Additionally, we invested significant R&D resources to develop single-crystal high-voltage products as well as high-rate materials which can enable a 15C discharge rate.
Human Capital
We had a total of approximately 1,739 employees as of December 31, 2025, all of whom are full-time employees. The following table sets forth the number of our employees by function.
Our employees are not represented by a labor organization or covered by a collective bargaining agreement. We have not experienced any work stoppages.
We believe we maintain good relations with our employees.
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Available Information
We make available free of charge, on or through our investor relations website, http://ir.cbak.com.cn, our annual reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and amendments to such filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after each is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.cn, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and amendments to such filings, as soon as reasonably practicable after each is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains our reports, proxy and information statements, and our other SEC filings. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov. Information appearing on our website is not part of any report that we file with the SEC.
Regulations
Company Law
The establishment, operation and management of corporate entities in mainland China are governed by the Company Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the China Company Law, which was adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (“SCNPC”) in December 1993, implemented in July 1994, and subsequently amended in December 1999, August 2004, October 2005, December 2013, October 2018 and December 2023. Under the China Company Law, companies are generally classified into two categories: limited liability companies and companies limited by shares. The China Company Law also applies to foreign-invested limited liability companies and foreign-invested companies limited by shares. Pursuant to the China Company Law, where laws on foreign investment have other stipulations, such stipulations shall prevail.
Foreign Investment Law
On March 15, 2019, the National People’s Congress approved the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC, or the “Foreign Investment Law,” which came into effect on January 1, 2020, repealing simultaneously the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the PRC on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises, and the Law of the PRC on Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Ventures. The Foreign Investment Law adopts the management system of pre-establishment national treatment and negative list for foreign investment. Regulations for the Implementation of the Foreign Investment Law of the PRC came into effect on January 1, 2020. Policies in support of enterprises shall apply equally to foreign-funded enterprises according to laws and regulations. Pursuant to Foreign Investment Law and the Negative List, promulgated jointly by MOFCOM and NDRC on December 27, 2021, and became effective on January 1, 2022, foreign investors shall not invest in sectors that forbid foreign investment as specified in the Negative List. In sectors under the Negative List where foreign investment is restricted, foreign investors shall comply with the special administrative measures for restrictive access set in the Negative List on equity ratio, senior management, etc., when making investments. Where a foreign investor or enterprise with foreign investment invests in a field other than those in the Negative List, it shall register by the principle of consistency of domestic and foreign investment. Fair competition for foreign investment enterprises to participate in government procurement activities shall be protected. The Foreign Investment Law also stipulates the protection of intellectual property rights and trade secrets.
Notice on the Implementation of Foreign Investment Law and the Registration of Foreign-funded Enterprises was issued by the SAMR on December 31, 2019. According to such notice, the SAMR conducts business registration, and the applicant shall apply for the registration of foreign-funded enterprises through the enterprise registration system. The registration authority shall conduct a formal examination on relevant application materials.
The Measures for Reporting Foreign Investment Information were adopted by the MOFCOM on December 19, 2019, approved by the SAMR, and became effective on January 1, 2020. According to such measures, when a foreign investor directly or indirectly conducts investment activities in China, the foreign investor or foreign-invested enterprise shall submit investment information to the competent department of commerce in accordance with the measures.
None of our PRC subsidiaries’ business falls within the Negative List, and therefore, all of our PRC subsidiaries are able to conduct their business without being subject to restrictions imposed by foreign investment laws and regulations in China.
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Regulations Relating to Intellectual Property
Copyright
China has adopted comprehensive legislation governing intellectual property rights, including trademarks and copyrights. China is a signatory to the primary international conventions on intellectual property rights and has been a member of the Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights since its accession to the WTO in December 2001.
In September 1990, the SCNPC promulgated the Copyright Law of the People’s Republic of China, effective in June 1991 and amended in 2001, 2010 and 2020 respectively. The amended Copyright Law extends copyright protection to internet activities, products disseminated over the internet and software products. In addition, there is a voluntary registration system administered by the Copyright Protection Centre of China.
In order to further implement the Computer Software Protection Regulations, promulgated by the State Council in December 2001 and amended in 2011 and 2013 respectively, the National Copyright Administration issued Computer Software Copyright Registration Procedures in February 2002, which specify detailed procedures and requirements with respect to the registration of software copyrights.
Trademark
According to the Trademark Law of the People’s Republic of China, promulgated by the SCNPC in August 1982, and amended in 1993, 2001, 2013 and 2019 respectively, the Trademark Office of China National Intellectual Property Administration is responsible for the registration and administration of trademarks and is also responsible for resolving trademark disputes in China. Registered trademarks are valid for ten years from the date the registration is approved. A registrant may apply to renew a registration within twelve months before the expiration date of the registration. If the registrant fails to apply in a timely manner, a grace period of six additional months may be granted. If the registrant fails to apply before the grace period expires, the registered trademark shall be deregistered. Renewed registrations are valid for ten years. In April 2014, the State Council issued the revised Implementation of the Trademark Law, which specified the requirements of applying for trademark registration and review.
Patent
According to the Patent Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated by the SCNPC in 1984 and amended in 1992, 2000, 2008 and 2020, respectively, a patentable invention or a utility model must meet three criteria: novelty, inventiveness and practicability. A patent is valid for a twenty-year term for an invention and a ten-year term for a utility model or design, starting from the application date.
Domain Names
In May 2012, the China Internet Network Information Center issued the Implementing Rules for Domain Name Registration setting forth the detailed rules for registration of domain names. In August 2017, China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology promulgated the Administrative Measures on Internet Domain Names, or the Domain Name Measures. The Domain Name Measures regulate the registration of domain names, such as the top-level domain name “.cn”.
Regulations Relating to Foreign Exchange
Pursuant to the Foreign Exchange Administration Regulations, as amended in August 2008, the RMB is freely convertible for current account items, including the distribution of dividends, interest payments, trade and service-related foreign exchange transactions, but not for capital account items, such as direct investments, loans, repatriation of investments and investments in securities outside the PRC, unless SAFE’s prior approval is obtained and prior registration with SAFE is made. In May 2013 SAFE promulgated the Circular of the SAFE on Printing and Distributing the Administrative Provision on Foreign Exchange in Domestic Direct Investment by Foreign Investors and Relevant Supporting Documents which provides for and simplifies the operational steps and regulations on foreign exchange matters related to direct investment by foreign investors, including foreign exchange registration, account opening and use, receipt and payment of funds, and settlement and sales of foreign exchange.
Pursuant to the Circular on Relevant Issues concerning Foreign Exchange Administration of Overseas Investment and Financing and Return Investments Conducted by Domestic Residents through Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles or the SAFE Circular 37, promulgated by SAFE and which became effective on July 4, 2014, (a) a PRC resident shall register with the local SAFE branch before he or she contributes assets or equity interests in an overseas special purpose vehicle, or Overseas Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV), that is directly established or controlled by the PRC Resident for the purpose of conducting investment or financing; and (b) following the initial registration, the PRC Resident is also required to register with the local SAFE branch for any major change, in respect of the Overseas SPV, including, among other things, a change of the Overseas SPV’s PRC Resident shareholder(s), name of the Overseas SPV, term of operation, or any increase or reduction of the Overseas SPV’s registered capital, share transfer or swap, and merger or division. Pursuant to SAFE Circular 37, failure to comply with these registration procedures may result in penalties.
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Pursuant to the Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Further Simplifying and Improving the Direct Investment-related Foreign Exchange Administration Policies, or the SAFE Notice 13, which was promulgated on February 13, 2015 and with effect from June 1, 2015, the foreign exchange registration under domestic direct investment and the foreign exchange registration under overseas direct investment is directly reviewed and handled by banks in accordance with the SAFE Notice 13, and the SAFE and its branches shall perform indirect regulation over the foreign exchange registration via banks
Regulations Relating to Dividend Distributions
According to the PRC Company Law and Foreign Investment Law, each of our PRC subsidiaries, as a foreign invested enterprise, or FIE, are required to draw 10% of its after-tax profits each year, if any, to fund a common reserve, which may stop drawing its after-tax profits if the aggregate balance of the common reserve has already accounted for over 50% of its registered capital. These reserves are not distributable as cash dividends. Furthermore, under the EIT Law, which became effective in January 2008, the maximum tax rate for the withholding tax imposed on dividend payments from PRC foreign invested companies to their overseas investors that are not regarded as “resident” for tax purposes is 20%. The rate was reduced to 10% under the Implementing Regulations for the EIT Law issued by the State Council. However, a lower withholding tax rate might be applied if there is a tax treaty between China and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding companies, such as tax rate of 5% in the case of Hong Kong companies that holds at least 25% of the equity interests in the foreign-invested enterprise, and certain requirements specified by PRC tax authorities are satisfied.
Regulations Relating to Overseas Listings
On July 6, 2021, the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the General Office of the State Council jointly issued the “Opinions on Severely Cracking Down on Illegal Securities Activities According to Law,” or the Opinions. The Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities, and the need to strengthen the supervision over overseas listings by Chinese companies. Effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems will be taken to deal with the risks and incidents of China-concept overseas listed companies, and cybersecurity and data privacy protection requirements and similar matters.
On December 24, 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, or the CSRC, issued Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) (the “Administration Provisions”), and the Measures for the Overseas Issuance of Securities and Listing Record-Filings by Domestic Enterprises (Draft for Comments) (the “Measures”), which were published for public comments only, for which the comment period expired on January 23, 2022.
The Administration Provisions and Measures (collectively, the “Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing”) for overseas listings lay out specific requirements for filing documents and include unified regulation management, strengthening regulatory coordination, and cross-border regulatory cooperation. Domestic companies seeking to list abroad must carry out relevant security screening procedures if their businesses involve such supervision. Companies endangering national security are among those off-limits for overseas listings.
However, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC promulgated the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies, or the Trial Measures, and five supporting guidelines, which came into effect on March 31, 2023. The Trial Measures and its supporting guidelines are formal regulations issued based on the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing. The State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments), although still in draft form, has effectively been replaced by the Trial Measures and its supporting guidelines. The Trial Measures and its supporting guidelines, reiterate the basic principles of the Draft Rules Regarding Overseas Listing and impose substantially the same requirements for the overseas securities offering and listing by domestic enterprises. Pursuant to the Trial Measures, domestic companies that seek to offer or list securities overseas, both directly and indirectly, shall complete filing procedures with the CSRC pursuant to the requirements of the Trial Measures within three working days following its submission of initial public offerings or listing application. If a domestic company fails to complete the required filing procedures or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as orders to rectify, warnings, fines, and its controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge and other directly liable persons may also be subject to administrative penalties, such as warnings and fines.
According to the Notice on the Administrative Arrangements for the Filing of the Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies from the CSRC, or the CSRC Notice, which was promulgated on February 17, 2023 and became effective on the same day, the domestic companies that have already been listed overseas before the effective date of the Overseas Listing Trial Measures (i.e. March 31, 2023) shall be deemed as existing issuers (the “Existing Issuers”). Existing Issuers are not required to complete the filing procedures immediately, and they shall be required to file with the CSRC for any subsequent offerings. The Opinions, the Trial Measures and any related implementing rules to be enacted may subject us to additional compliance requirements in future financial activities.
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In August 2006, six PRC regulatory authorities, including the CSRC, jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, amended in June 2009. The M&A Rules, among other things, require that if an overseas company established or controlled by PRC companies or individuals, or PRC Citizens, intends to acquire equity interests or assets of any other PRC domestic company affiliated with the PRC Citizens, such acquisition must be submitted to the MOFCOM for approval. The M&A Rules also require that an Overseas SPV formed for overseas listing purposes and controlled directly or indirectly by the PRC Citizens shall obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to overseas listing and trading of such Overseas SPV’s securities on an overseas stock exchange.
Based on current PRC laws and regulations, our corporate structure and arrangements are not subject to the M&A Rules. However, there are substantial uncertainties as to how the M&A Rules will be interpreted or implemented in the context of an overseas offering, and its opinions summarized above are subject to any new laws, rules and regulations or detailed implementations and interpretations in any form relating to the M&A Rules.
Regulations Relating to Employment
The Labor Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Labor Law, which became effective in January 1995 and was amended in 2018, and the Employment Contract Law of the People’s Republic of China, or the Employment Contract Law, effective in January 2008 and amended in 2012, require employers to provide written contracts to their employees, restrict the use of temporary workers and aim to give employees long-term job security. Employers must pay their employees’ wages equal to or above local minimum wage standards, establish labor safety and workplace sanitation systems, comply with state labor rules and standards and provide employees with appropriate training on workplace safety. In September 2008, the State Council promulgated the Implementing Regulations for the PRC Employment Contract Law which became effective immediately and interprets and supplements the provisions of the Employment Contract Law.
Under the Labor Contract Law, an employer shall limit the number of dispatched workers so that they do not exceed a certain percentage of its total number of workers. In January 2014, the MOHRSS issued the Interim Provisions on Labor Dispatching, which became effective in March 2014, pursuant to which it provides that the number of dispatched workers used by an employer shall not exceed 10% of the total number of its employees.
The PRC governmental authorities have passed a variety of laws and regulations regarding social insurance and housing funds from time to time, including, among others, the Social Insurance Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Regulation of Insurance for Labor Injury, the Regulations of Insurance for Unemployment, the Provisional Insurance Measures for Maternal Employees, the Interim Administrative Provisions on Registration of Social Insurance and the Administrative Regulations on the Housing Provident Fund. Pursuant to these laws and regulations, enterprises in the PRC shall provide their employees with welfare schemes covering pension insurance, unemployment insurance, maternity insurance, occupational injury insurance and medical insurance, as well as housing fund and other welfare plans. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations may result in various fines and legal sanctions and supplemental contributions to the local social insurance and housing fund regulatory authorities.
Regulations Relating to Environmental Protection
The Environmental Protection Law of the PRC, or the Environmental Protection Law, was promulgated and effective on December 26, 1989, and amended on April 24, 2014.
As we conduct our manufacturing activities in China, we are subject to the requirements of PRC environmental laws and regulations on air emission, wastewater discharge, solid waste and noise. The major environmental regulations applicable to us include the PRC Environmental Protection Law, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Water Pollution and its Implementation Rules, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Air Pollution and its Implementation Rules, the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Solid Waste Pollution, and the PRC Law on the Prevention and Control of Noise Pollution. We aim to comply with environmental laws and regulations. We have built environmental treatment facilities concurrently with the construction of our manufacturing facilities, where waste air, wastewater and waste solids we generate can be treated in accordance with the relevant requirements. We outsource the disposal of solid waste we generate in the Dalian facility to a third-party contractor. Certain key materials used in manufacturing, such as cobalt dioxide, electrolyte and separators, have proven innocuous to worker’s health and safety as well as the environment. We are not subject to any admonitions, penalties, investigations or inquiries imposed by the environmental regulators, nor are we subject to any claims or legal proceedings to which we are named as a defendant for violation of any environmental law or regulation. We are not aware of any threatened claim, action or legal proceedings that would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
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Regulations Relating to Tax in the PRC
Income Tax
The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law was promulgated in March 2007 and amended in December 2018. The PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law applies a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate to both foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, except where tax incentives are granted to special industries and projects. Under the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, an enterprise established outside China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes and is generally subject to a uniform 25% enterprise income tax rate on its worldwide income. Under the implementation regulations to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law, a “de facto management body” is defined as the body that exercises full and substantial control and overall management over the business, productions, personnel, accounts and properties of an enterprise.
In April 2009, the Ministry of Finance, or MOF, and SAT jointly issued the Notice on Issues Concerning Process of Enterprise Income Tax in Enterprise Restructuring Business, or the Circular 59. In December 2009, SAT issued the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or the Circular 698. Both Circular 59 and Circular 698 became effective retroactively as of January 2008. In March 2011, SAT issued the Notice on Several Issues Regarding the Income Tax of Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 24, effective in April 2011. By promulgating and implementing these circulars, the PRC tax authorities have enhanced their scrutiny over the direct or indirect transfer of equity interests in a PRC resident enterprise by a non-resident enterprise.
In February 2015, SAT issued the Notice on Certain Corporate Income Tax Matters on Indirect Transfer of Properties by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 7, to supersede existing provisions in relation to the indirect transfer as set forth in Circular 698, while the other provisions of Circular 698 remain in force. SAT Circular 7 introduces a new tax regime that is significantly different from that under Circular 698. SAT Circular 7 extends its tax jurisdiction to capture not only indirect transfers as set forth under Circular 698 but also transactions involving transfer of immovable property in China and assets held under the establishment, and placement in China, of a foreign company through the offshore transfer of a foreign intermediate holding company. SAT Circular 7 also addresses transfer of the equity interest in a foreign intermediate holding company broadly. In addition, SAT Circular 7 provides clearer criteria than Circular 698 on how to assess reasonable commercial purposes and introduces safe harbor scenarios applicable to internal group restructurings. However, it also brings challenges to both the foreign transferor and transferee of the indirect transfer as they have to determine whether the transaction should be subject to PRC tax and to file or withhold the PRC tax accordingly. In October 2017, SAT issued the Announcement on Issues Relating to Withholding at Source of Income Tax of Non-resident Enterprises, or the SAT Circular 37, amended in June 2018. The SAT Circular 37 superseded the Non-resident Enterprises Measures and SAT Circular 698 as a whole and partially amended some provisions in SAT Circular 24 and SAT Circular 7. SAT Circular 37 purports to clarify certain issues in the implementation of the above regime, by providing, among others, the definition of equity transfer income and tax basis, the foreign exchange rate to be used in the calculation of withholding amount, and the date of occurrence of the withholding obligation. Specifically, SAT Circular 37 provides that where the transfer income subject to withholding at source is derived by a non-PRC resident enterprise in installments, the installments may first be treated as recovery of costs of previous investments. Upon recovery of all costs, the tax amount to be withheld must then be computed and withheld.
Value-Added Tax
The PRC Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax were promulgated by the State Council on December 13, 1993, which became effective on January 1, 1994 and were subsequently amended from time to time. The Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the PRC Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax (2011 Revision) was promulgated by the Ministry of Finance on December 25, 1993 and subsequently amended on December 15, 2008 and October 28, 2011. On November 19, 2017, the State Council promulgated the Decisions on Abolishing the PRC Provisional Regulations on Business Tax and Amending the PRC Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax. Pursuant to these regulations, rules and decisions, all enterprises and individuals engaged in sale of goods, provision of processing, repair, and replacement services, sales of services, intangible assets, real property, and the importation of goods within the PRC territory are VAT taxpayers. On March 21, 2019, the Ministry of Finance, the SAT, and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued the Announcement on Relevant Policies on Deepen the Reform of Value-Added Tax. Sales revenue represents the invoiced value of goods, net of VAT. The VAT is based on gross sales price, starting from April 1, 2019, VAT rate was lowered to 13%. On September 30, 2019, the Ministry of Finance and the State Taxation Administration jointly issued the Announcement on Clarifying the VAT Additional Deduction Policy for the Living Services, pursuant to which, from October 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the taxpayers engaging in providing living services are allowed to deduct additional 15% of the deductible input VAT amount for the current period from the payable tax. For aforementioned taxpayers providing production and living services relating to Announcement on Policies for Deepening the VAT Reform and Announcement on Clarifying the VAT Additional Deduction Policy for the Living Services, the input VAT additional deduction policies is further extended to December 31, 2022 according to the regulations. From January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2024, the VAT Additional Deduction policy is implemented in accordance with the following provisions: (i). Taxpayers in the productive service industry are allowed to add 5% of the current deductible input tax to offset the taxable amount; (ii). Taxpayers in the lifestyle service industry are allowed to deduct 10% of the current deductible input tax to offset the taxable amount. On December 25, 2024, the prevailing VAT regulations were enacted into the Value-Added Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China, which came into effect on January 1, 2026.
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Export Tax Rebate Policies
Pursuant to the Announcement on Adjustments to Export Tax Rebate Policies (Announcement [2024] No. 15) jointly issued by the Ministry of Finance and the SAT, which took effect on December 1, 2024, and remained in force throughout 2025, the PRC government implemented a phased reduction (the "Phase-out Policy") of export tax rebates for specific categories of goods. Under this policy, the export tax rebate rate for certain products, including but not limited to photovoltaic products, lithium-ion batteries, and certain non-metallic mineral products, was reduced from 13% to 9%. Furthermore, export tax rebates for aluminum, copper, and chemically modified oils and fats were entirely eliminated.
Following these adjustments, in January 2026, the Ministry of Finance and the SAT announced further optimizations to the export rebate structure to curb industrial overcapacity. Effective April 1, 2026, the export VAT rebate for photovoltaic products will be canceled (reduced to 0%), while the rebate for battery products will be reduced to 6%, with a scheduled complete elimination by January 1, 2027. These changes represent a strategic shift towards high-quality growth and may impact the net cost of exported goods depending on the enterprise's ability to pass through these costs to international customers.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
RISKS RELATED TO DOING BUSINESS IN CHINA
The PCAOB had historically been unable to inspect our former auditor in relation to their audit work performed for our financial statements and the inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of our former auditor in the past has deprived our investors of the benefits of such inspections. Our common stock may be prohibited from trading in the United States under the HFCAA in the future if the PCAOB is unable to inspect or investigate completely auditors located in China. The delisting of our common stock, or the threat of its being delisted, may materially and adversely affect the value of your investment.
Our current auditor, ARK Pro CPA & Co, as well as our former auditor, Centurion ZD CPA & Co, the independent registered public accounting firms that issue the audit reports included elsewhere in this annual report, as auditors of companies that are traded publicly in the United States and firms registered with the PCAOB, are currently subject to laws in the United States pursuant to which the PCAOB conducts regular inspections to assess their compliance with the applicable professional standards. Both our current and former auditors are located in Hong Kong, a jurisdiction where the PCAOB was historically unable to conduct inspections and investigations completely before 2022. As a result, we and investors in our common stock were deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections until 2022. The inability of the PCAOB to conduct inspections of auditors in Hong Kong in the past has made it more difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of our independent registered public accounting firms’ audit procedures or quality control procedures as compared to auditors that are subject to the PCAOB inspections. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB issued a report that vacated its December 16, 2021 determination and removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. However, if the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we and investors in our common stock would be deprived of the benefits of such PCAOB inspections again, which could cause investors and potential investors in our common stock to lose confidence in our audit procedures and reported financial information and the quality of our financial statements.
Pursuant to the HFCAA, as amended, if the SEC determines that we have filed audit reports issued by a registered public accounting firm that has not been subject to inspections by the PCAOB for two consecutive years, the SEC will prohibit our common stock from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading markets in the United States.
On December 16, 2021, the PCAOB issued a report to notify the SEC of its determination that the PCAOB was unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms headquartered in mainland China and Hong Kong and our auditor was subject to that determination. In May 2022, the SEC conclusively listed us as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA following the filing of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, the PCAOB removed mainland China and Hong Kong from the list of jurisdictions where it is unable to inspect or investigate completely registered public accounting firms. For this reason, we have not been identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer after we filed on April 14, 2023 the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and we do not expect to be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer under the HFCAA after we file this annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Each year, the PCAOB will determine whether it can inspect and investigate completely audit firms in mainland China and Hong Kong, among other jurisdictions. If the PCAOB determines in the future that it no longer has full access to inspect and investigate completely accounting firms in mainland China and Hong Kong and we use an accounting firm headquartered in one of these jurisdictions to issue an audit report on our financial statements filed with the SEC, we would be identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer following the filing of the annual report on Form 10-K for the relevant fiscal year. In accordance with the HFCAA, as amended, our securities would be prohibited from being traded on a national securities exchange or in the over-the-counter trading market in the United States if we are identified as a Commission-Identified Issuer for two consecutive years in the future. A prohibition of being able to trade in the United States would substantially impair your ability to sell or purchase our common stock when you wish to do so, and the risk and uncertainty associated with delisting would have a negative impact on the price of our common stock. Also, such a prohibition would significantly affect our ability to raise capital on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which would have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and prospects.
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The PRC government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we conduct our business activities. Its oversight and discretion over our business could result in a material adverse change in our operations and the value of our common stock. Changes in laws, regulations and policies in China and uncertainties with respect to the PRC legal system could materially and adversely affect us. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly. In addition, rules and regulations in China can change quickly with little advance notice.
While an increasing portion of our products are sold in international markets, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa, substantially all of our operations currently are conducted in the PRC. Accordingly, our financial condition and results of operations are affected to a significant extent by the economic, political and legal developments in the PRC. The PRC economy differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the extent of government involvement, level of development, growth rate, and control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. The PRC government has implemented various measures to encourage economic growth and to guide the allocation of resources. Some of these measures may benefit the overall PRC economy but may also have a negative effect on us. Our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by government control over capital investments or changes in tax regulations that are applicable to us. However, the PRC government has actively encouraged foreign capital to invest in China and has an open mindset welcoming a free-market economy in areas unrelated to military and national security.
The Chinese government in recent years has published new policies that significantly affected certain industries such as the education and internet industries, and we cannot rule out the possibility that it will not in the future release regulations or policies regarding our industry that could require us or our PRC subsidiaries to seek permission from Chinese authorities to continue to operate our business in China, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, recent statements made by the Chinese government have indicated an intent to increase the government’s oversight and control over offerings of companies with significant operations in China that are to be conducted in foreign markets, as well as foreign investment in China-based issuers like us. Any such action, once taken by the Chinese government, could significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer our securities, and could cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
For example, in July 2021, the Chinese government provided new guidance on China-based companies raising capital outside of China, including through arrangements via VIEs. In light of such developments, the SEC has imposed enhanced disclosure requirements on China-based companies seeking to register securities with the SEC. Although we have never adopted a VIE structure and our business in China does not involve any type of restricted industry under Chinese regulations, any future Chinese, U.S. or other rules and regulations that place restrictions on capital raising or other activities by companies with extensive operations in China could adversely affect our business. If the business environment in China deteriorates from the perspective of domestic or international investment, or if relations between China and the United States or other governments deteriorate, the Chinese government may intervene with our operations, and our business in China, as well as the value of our securities, may also be adversely affected.
The PRC government has increasingly strengthened oversight in offerings conducted overseas or on foreign investment in China-based issuers, which could result in a material change in our operations and our common stock could decline in value or become worthless.
The PRC government has indicated an intent to take actions to exert more oversight and control over offerings that are conducted overseas and/or foreign investment in China-based issuers. For example, on July 6, 2021, the relevant PRC government authorities made public the Opinions on Strictly Scrutinizing Illegal Securities Activities in Accordance with the Law, or the Opinions. These Opinions emphasized the need to strengthen the administration over illegal securities activities and the supervision of overseas listings by China-based companies and proposed to take effective measures, such as promoting the construction of relevant regulatory systems to deal with the risks and incidents faced by China-based over-seas-listed companies.
On December 24, 2021, the CSRC issued the Provisions of the State Council on the Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments) and the Administrative Measures for the Filing of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (Draft for Comments), collectively the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, for public comment until January 23, 2022.
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Following issuance of the Draft Overseas Listing Regulations, on February 17, 2023, the CSRC issued the Notice on Filing Arrangements for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “CSRC Filing Notice”), stating that the CSRC has published the Trial Administrative Measures of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies (the “Trial Measures”) and five supporting guidelines (the “Listing Guidelines”), collectively the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines. Among others, the Trial Measures and Listing Guidelines provide that overseas offerings and listings by PRC domestic companies shall:
| (i) | require submission of relevant materials that contain a filing report and a legal opinion, providing truthful, accurate and complete information on matters including but not limited to the shareholders of the issuer. Where the filing documents are complete and in compliance with stipulated requirements, the CSRC shall, within 20 working days after receipt of filing documents, conclude the filing procedure and publish filing results on the CSRC website. Where the filing documents are complete and in compliance with stipulated requirements, the CSRC shall, within 20 working days after receipt of filing documents, conclude the filing procedure and publish filing results on the CSRC website. Where filing documents are incomplete or do not conform to stipulated requirements, the CSRC shall request supplementation and amendment thereto within five working days after receipt of the filing documents. The issuer should then complete supplementation and amendment within 30 working days; |
| (ii) | abide by laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules concerning foreign investment in China, state-owned asset administration, industry regulation and outbound investment, and shall not disrupt the PRC domestic market order, harm state or public interests or undermine the lawful rights and interests of PRC domestic investors; |
| (iii) | abide by national secrecy laws and relevant provisions. Necessary measures shall be taken to fulfill confidentiality obligations. Divulgence of state secrets or working secrets of government agencies is strictly prohibited. Divulgence of state secrets or working secrets of government agencies is strictly prohibited. Provision of personal information and important data, etc., to overseas parties in relation to overseas offering and listing of PRC domestic companies shall be in compliance with applicable laws, administrative regulations and relevant state rules; and |
| (iv) | be made in strict compliance with relevant laws, administrative regulations and rules concerning national security in the spheres of foreign investment, cybersecurity, data security, etc., and issuers shall duly fulfill their obligations to protect national security. If the intended overseas offering and listing necessitates a national security review, relevant security review procedures shall be completed according to the law before the application for such offering and listing is sub-mitted to any overseas parties such as securities regulatory agencies and trading venues; |
The Trial Measures came into effect on March 31, 2023. PRC domestic companies seeking to offer and list securities (which, for the purposes of the Trial Measures, are defined thereunder as equity shares, depository receipts, corporate bonds convertible to equity shares, and other equity securities that are offered and listed overseas, either directly or indirectly, by PRC domestic companies) in overseas markets, either via direct or indirect means, must file with the CSRC with-in three working days after their application for an overseas listing is submitted.
The Trial Measures provide that where a PRC domestic company seeks to indirectly offer and list securities in overseas markets, the issuer shall designate a major domestic operating entity, which shall, as the domestic entity responsible, file with the CSRC. The Trial Measures stipulate that an overseas listing will be determined as “indirect” if the issuer meets both of the following conditions: (1) 50% or more of any of the issuer’s operating revenue, total profit, total assets or net assets as documented in its audited consolidated financial statements for the most recent accounting year are accounted for by PRC domestic companies (“Condition I”), and (2) the main parts of the issuer’s business activities are conducted in the PRC, or its main places of business are located in the PRC, or the senior managers in charge of its business operations and management are mostly Chinese citizens or domiciled in the PRC (“Condition II”); whether Chinese citizens from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau are included in the foregoing specification is not specified. The determination as to whether or not an overseas offering and listing by PRC domestic companies is indirect shall be made on a ‘substance over form’ basis; the Listing Guidelines further stipulate that if an issuer not satisfying Condition I submits an application for issuance and listing in overseas markets in accordance with relevant non-PRC issuance regulations requiring such issuer to disclose risk factors mainly related to the PRC, the securities firm(s) and the issuer’s PRC counsel should follow the principle of ‘sub-stance over form’ in order to identify and argue whether the issuer should complete a filing under the Trial Measures. Sub-sequent securities offerings of an issuer in (i) the same overseas market where it has previously offered and listed securities, and (ii) an overseas market other than one where the issuer has previously offered and listed securities shall be filed with the CSRC within three working days after offerings are completed. Additionally, the Trial Measures stipulate that after an issuer has offered and listed securities in an overseas market, the issuer shall submit a report to the CSRC within three working days after the occurrence and public disclosure of (i) a change of control thereof, (ii) investigations of or sanctions imposed on the issuer by overseas securities regulators or relevant competent authorities, (iii) changes of listing status or transfers of listing segment, and (iv) a voluntary or mandatory delisting.
The CSRC Filing Notice states that, beginning from March 31, 2023, PRC domestic enterprises which have already issued and listed securities overseas and fall within the scope of filing under the Trial Measures shall be considered “existing enterprises” (“Existing Listed Enterprises”). Existing Listed Enterprises are not required to complete filings immediately; rather, Existing Listed Enterprises should complete filings if they are subsequently involved in matters require filings, such as follow-on financing activities, in accordance with the Trial Measures.
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There is a possibility that we may be deemed as an Existing Listed Enterprise as defined under the CSRC Filing Notice, and that future offerings of listed securities or listings outside China by us may be subject to CSRC filing requirements in accordance with the Trial Measures.
If a domestic company fails to complete the filing procedure or conceals any material fact or falsifies any major content in its filing documents, such domestic company may be subject to administrative penalties, such as orders to rectify, warnings and fines. In addition, the controlling shareholders, actual controllers, the person directly in charge, and other directly liable persons of such domestic company may also be subject to administrative penalties, including warnings and fines. These regulatory authorities may also impose restrictions and penalties on the Company’s operations in China, significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to launch any new offering of our securities, limit our ability to pay dividends outside of China, delay or restrict the repatriation of the proceeds from future capital raising activities into China, or take other actions that could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects, as well as the trading price of our common stock.
On February 24, 2023, the CSRC, together with the Ministry of Finance, National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China, revised the Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration for Overseas Securities Offering and Listing, which were issued by the CSRC and National Administration of State Secrets Protection and National Archives Administration of China in 2009, or the “Provisions.” The revised Provisions were issued under the title the “Provisions on Strengthening Confidentiality and Archives Administration of Overseas Securities Offering and Listing by Domestic Companies,” and came into effect on March 31, 2023 together with the Trial Measures. One of the major revisions to the revised Provisions is expanding their application to cover indirect overseas offering and listing, as is consistent with the Trial Measures. The revised Provisions require that, among other things, (a) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals or entities, including securities companies, securities service providers, and overseas regulators, any documents and materials that contain state secrets or working secrets of government agencies, shall first obtain approval from competent authorities according to law, and file with the secrecy administrative department at the same level; and (b) a domestic company that plans to, either directly or indirectly through its overseas listed entity, publicly disclose or provide to relevant individuals and entities, including securities companies, securities service providers, and overseas regulators, any other documents and materials that, if leaked, will be detrimental to national security or public interest, shall strictly fulfill relevant procedures stipulated by applicable national regulations. Any failure or perceived failure by our Company, or our PRC subsidiaries to comply with the above confidentiality and archives administration requirements under the revised Provisions and other PRC laws and regulations may result in the relevant entities being held legally liable by competent authorities, and referred to the judicial organ to be investigated for criminal liability if suspected of committing a crime.
Although the Trial Measures, Listing Guidelines and Revised Provisions have been in effect since March 31, 2023, there remain substantial uncertainties surrounding their enforcement. We cannot assure you that, if required, we would be able to complete the filings and fully comply with the relevant new rules on a timely basis, if at all. The PRC government authorities may further strengthen oversight and control over listings and offerings that are conducted overseas, and any such action may adversely affect our operations and significantly limit or completely hinder our ability to offer or continue to offer securities to investors, or cause the value of such securities to significantly decline or become worthless.
Changes in U.S. and Chinese regulations or in relations between the United States and China may adversely impact our business, our operating results, our ability to raise capital and the value of our securities. Any such changes may take place quickly and with very little notice.
The U.S. government, including the SEC, has made statements and taken certain actions that led to changes to United States and international relations, and will impact companies with connections to the United States or China. The SEC has issued statements primarily focused on companies with significant China-based operations, such as us. For example, on July 30, 2021, Gary Gensler, former Chairman of the SEC, issued a Statement on Investor Protection Related to Recent Developments in China, pursuant to which Chairman Gensler stated that he has asked the SEC staff to engage in targeted additional reviews of filings for companies with significant China-based operations. For example, on July 30, 2021, Gary Gensler, Chairman of the SEC, issued a Statement on Investor Protection Related to Recent Developments in China, pursuant to which Chairman Gensler stated that he has asked the SEC staff to engage in targeted additional reviews of filings for companies with significant China-based operations. The statement also addressed risks inherent in companies with VIE structures. We have never adopted a VIE structure and are not in any industry that is subject to foreign ownership limitations by China. However, it is possible that the Company’s filings with the SEC may be subject to enhanced review by the SEC.
In response to the SEC’s July 30, 2021 statement, the CSRC announced on August 1, 2021, that “it is our belief that Chinese and U.S. regulators shall continue to enhance communication with the principle of mutual respect and cooperation, and properly address the issues related to the supervision of China-based companies listed in the U.S. so as to form stable policy expectations and create benign rules framework for the market.” The CSRC pledged to continue to collaborate “closely with different stakeholders including investors, companies, and relevant authorities to further promote transparency and certainty of policies and implementing measures,” and emphasized that it “has always been open to companies’ choices to list their securities on international or domestic markets in compliance with relevant laws and regulations.” If any new legislation, executive orders, laws and/or regulations are implemented, if the U.S. or Chinese governments take retaliatory actions due to the recent U.S.-China tension or if the Chinese government exerts more oversight and control over securities offerings that are conducted in the United States, such changes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, our ability to raise capital and the value of our securities.
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August 9, 2023, the Biden administration released an executive order and an advanced notice of proposed rule-making (the “ANPRM”) providing a conceptual framework for outbound investment controls focused on China. Further to this ANPRM, on June 21, 2024, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (the “Treasury”) issued a proposed rule on outbound U.S. investments involving China that generally follows the ANPRM. On October 28, 2024, the Treasury issued a Final Rule to implement the executive order of August 9, 2023. The Final Rule became effective on January 2, 2025. The Final Rule targets investments involving persons and entities associated with “countries of concern,” including China, and it imposes investment prohibition and notification requirements on a wide range of investments in companies engaged in certain types of activities relating to three sectors: (1) advanced microchips and microelectronics, (2) quantum computing, and (3) artificial intelligence systems (“Covered Activities”), with persons from countries of concern engaged in these Covered Activities defined as “Covered Foreign Persons.” Investments by U.S. persons subject to the Final Rule, which are defined as “covered transactions,” include acquisitions of equity interests, certain debt financing, joint ventures, and certain investments as a limited partner in a non-U.S. person pooled investment fund. The Final Rule excludes some investments from the scope of covered transactions, including those in publicly traded securities listed on a national stock exchange. The Final Rule is aimed at exerting greater U.S. government oversight over U.S. direct and indirect investments involving China, and may introduce new hurdles and uncertainties for cross-border collaborations, investments, and funding opportunities of China-based issuers including us. We do not believe we are a Covered Foreign Person under the Final Rule. However, if we were to be deemed a Covered Foreign Person engaged in Covered Activities, the Final Rule could limit our ability to raise capital from U.S. investors generally, in which case our ability to raise such capital may be significantly and negatively affected, which could be detrimental to our business, financial condition and prospects.
Since early 2025, the United States and China have imposed new or higher tariffs on goods imported from each other, including tariff increases announced by both countries. If the United States or China continues imposing such tariffs, or if additional tariffs or trade restrictions are implemented by the United States or by China, the resulting trade barriers could have a significant adverse impact on our business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions and tariffs, quotas and embargoes, sanctions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies, has the potential to adversely impact costs, our suppliers and the world economy in general, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We cannot foresee whether and how developments in similar policy actions or any other policy actions taken by the U.S. or Chinese government will impact our business and financial performance. In addition, changes in political, business, economic and trade relations between the U.S. and China, including the potential for heightened tensions under the current U.S. administration, may trigger negative customer sentiment towards western brands in China, potentially resulting in a negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
There are uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of PRC laws, rules and regulations.
Substantially all of our operations are conducted in the PRC, and are governed by PRC laws, rules and regulations. Our PRC subsidiaries are subject to laws, rules and regulations applicable to foreign investment in China. The PRC legal system is a civil law system based on written statutes. Unlike the common law system, prior court decisions may be cited for reference but have limited precedential value. In 1979, the PRC government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws, rules and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect of legislation over the past four decades has significantly enhanced the protections afforded to various forms of foreign investment in China. However, China has not developed a fully integrated legal system, and recently enacted laws, rules and regulations may not sufficiently cover all aspects of economic activities in China or may be subject to significant degrees of interpretation by PRC regulatory agencies. In particular, because these laws, rules and regulations are relatively new, and because of the limited number of published decisions and the nonbinding nature of such decisions, and because the laws, rules and regulations often give the relevant regulator significant discretion in how to enforce them, the interpretation and enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations involve uncertainties and can be inconsistent and unpredictable. In addition, the PRC legal system is based in part on government policies and internal rules, some of which are not published on a timely basis or at all, and may have a retroactive effect. As a result, we may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until after the occurrence of the violation. Any administrative and court proceedings in China may be protracted, resulting in substantial costs and diversion of resources and management attention.
PRC laws and regulations establish complex procedures in connection with certain acquisitions of China-based companies by foreign investors, which could make it more difficult for us to pursue growth through acquisitions or mergers in China.
On August 8, 2006, six PRC regulatory agencies, including the Ministry of Commerce (“MOFCOM”), the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, the State Administration of Taxation, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the CSRC, and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, jointly adopted the Regulations on Mergers and Acquisitions of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign Investors, or the M&A Rules, which came into effect on September 8, 2006 and were amended on June 22, 2009. The M&A Rules include, among other things, provisions that purport to require that an offshore special purpose vehicle formed for the purpose of an overseas listing of securities of a PRC company obtain the approval of the CSRC prior to the listing and trading of such special purpose vehicle’s securities on an overseas stock exchange. On September 21, 2006, the CSRC published on its official website procedures regarding its approval of overseas listings through special purpose vehicles. However, substantial uncertainty remains regarding the scope and applicability of the M&A Rules to offshore special purpose vehicles.
The regulations also established additional procedures and requirements that are expected to make merger and acquisition activities in China by foreign investors more time consuming and complex, including requirements in some instances that the MOFCOM be notified in advance of any change-of-control transaction in which a foreign investor takes control of a PRC domestic enterprise, or that the approval from the MOFCOM be obtained in circumstances where overseas companies established or controlled by PRC enterprises or residents acquire affiliated domestic companies.
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Moreover, according to the Anti-Monopoly Law of the People’s Republic of China promulgated on August 30, 2007 and the Provisions on Thresholds for Reporting of Concentrations of Undertakings (the “Prior Reporting Rules”) issued by the State Council in August 2008 and amended in September 2018, the concentration of business undertakings by way of mergers, acquisitions or contractual arrangements that allow one market player to take control of or to exert decisive impact on another market player must also be notified in advance to the anti-monopoly enforcement agency of the State Council when the applicable threshold is crossed and such concentration shall not be implemented without the clearance of prior reporting. In addition, the Regulations on Implementation of Security Review System for the Merger and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprise by Foreign Investors (the “Security Review Rules”) issued by the MOFCOM that became effective in September 2011 specify that mergers and acquisitions by foreign investors that raise “national defense and security” concerns and mergers and acquisitions through which foreign investors may acquire de facto control over domestic enterprises that raise “national security” concerns are subject to strict review by the MOFCOM, and the rules prohibit any activities attempting to bypass a security review by structuring the transaction through, among other things, trusts, entrustment or contractual control arrangements.
In the event that our acquisition of other companies in China falls within the scope of these regulations, compliance with these regulations to complete such transactions could be time-consuming, and any required approval processes, including approval from the MOFCOM, may delay or inhibit our ability to complete such transactions, which could affect our ability to expand our business or maintain our market share.
CBAK Energy Technology, Inc., as a holding company incorporated in Nevada, the United States, without material operations of its own, relies on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its PRC operating subsidiaries for its cash needs.
CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. is a holding company, and we conduct substantially all of our operations through our PRC subsidiaries. is a holding company, and we conduct all of our operations through our PRC subsidiaries. CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. relies on dividends and other distributions on equity paid by its PRC subsidiaries for its cash needs, including the funds necessary to pay dividends and other cash distributions to its stockholders, to service any debt it may incur and to pay its operating expenses. Current regulations in the PRC permit payment of dividends only out of accumulated profits as determined in accordance with PRC accounting standards and regulations. According to the articles of association of our PRC subsidiaries, each of our PRC subsidiaries is required to set aside at least 10% of its after-tax profit based on the PRC accounting standards and regulations each year to its statutory general reserve, until the balance in the reserve reaches 50% of the registered capital of the company. Funds in the reserve are not distributable to CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. in forms of cash dividends, loans or advances. In addition, if our PRC subsidiaries incur debt on their own behalf in the future, the instruments governing the debt may restrict their ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to CBAK Energy Technology, Inc., which in turn will adversely affect its available cash.
In addition, our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends and other cash distributions is subject to foreign exchange restrictions in China. For example, to address persistent capital outflows and the RMB’s depreciation against the U.S. dollar in the fourth quarter of 2016, the People’s Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, or SAFE, implemented a series of capital control measures in the subsequent months, including stricter vetting procedures for China-based companies to remit foreign currency for overseas acquisitions, dividend payments and shareholder loan repayments. The PRC government may continue to strengthen its capital controls and our PRC subsidiaries’ dividends and other distributions may be subject to tightened scrutiny in the future. The PRC government also imposes controls on the conversion of RMB into foreign currencies and the remittance of currencies out of the PRC. Therefore, we may experience difficulties in completing the administrative procedures necessary to obtain and remit foreign currency for the payment of dividends from our profits, if any.
As a matter of fact, we have never declared or paid any dividends to CBAK Energy Technology, Inc.’s stockholders, nor do we have any present plan to pay any cash dividends on the common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to operate and expand our business.
Fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our business and the value of our securities.
The value of our securities will be indirectly affected by the foreign exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and RMB and between those currencies and other currencies in which our sales may be denominated. Appreciation or depreciation in the value of the RMB relative to the U.S. dollar would affect our financial results reported in U.S. dollar terms without giving effect to any underlying change in our business or results of operations. Fluctuations in the exchange rate will also affect the relative value of any dividend we issue that will be exchanged into U.S. dollars, as well as earnings from, and the value of, any U.S. dollar-denominated investments we make in the future.
While very limited hedging transactions were historically available to us in China to reduce our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, we have recently begun implementing risk management strategies. In 2025, our operating entities, CBAK Power and Nanjing CBAK, entered into foreign currency forward contracts and option swaps with commercial banks to mitigate such exposure. Additionally, Hitrans entered into commodity contracts to mitigate raw materials price fluctuations. However, the availability and effectiveness of these hedging transactions may still be limited, and we may not be able to successfully hedge all of our exposure. Furthermore, utilizing these derivative instruments introduces new risks, including counterparty credit risk, potential margin call requirements, and the risk that the instruments may not perfectly correlate with our actual foreign currency needs. If these hedging strategies are ineffective, or if our foreign currency exchange losses are magnified by PRC exchange control regulations that restrict our ability to convert RMB into foreign currencies, fluctuations in exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and your investment.
Investors may experience difficulties in effecting service of legal process, enforcing foreign judgments or bringing original actions in China based upon U.S. laws, including the federal securities laws or other foreign laws against us or our management.
Substantially all of our current operations are conducted in China. Moreover, most of our current directors and officers are nationals or residents of China. All or a substantial portion of the assets of these persons are located outside the United States and in the PRC. As a result, it may not be possible to effect service of process within the United States or elsewhere outside China upon these persons. In addition, uncertainty exists as to whether the courts of China would recognize or enforce judgments of U.S. courts obtained against us or such officers and/or directors predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof, or be competent to hear original actions brought in China against us or such persons predicated upon the securities laws of the United States or any state thereof.
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PRC regulation of loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies and governmental control of currency conversion may restrict or prevent CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. from making additional capital contributions or loans to its PRC subsidiaries.
CBAK Energy Technology, Inc., as an offshore holding company, is permitted under PRC laws and regulations to provide funding to its PRC subsidiaries through loans or capital contributions. However, loans by CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. to its PRC subsidiaries to finance their activities cannot exceed statutory limits and must be registered with the local counterpart of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and capital contributions to its PRC subsidiaries are subject to the requirement of making necessary filings in the Foreign Investment Comprehensive Management Information System, and registration with other governmental authorities in China.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement of Capital of Foreign-invested Enterprises, or Circular 19, effective on June 1, 2015, in replacement of the Circular on the Relevant Operating Issues Concerning the Improvement of the Administration of the Payment and Settlement of Foreign Currency Capital of Foreign-Invested Enterprises, the Notice from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues Concerning Strengthening the Administration of Foreign Exchange Businesses, and the Circular on Further Clarification and Regulation of the Issues Concerning the Administration of Certain Capital Account Foreign Exchange Businesses. According to Circular 19, the flow and use of the RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company is regulated such that RMB capital may not be used for the issuance of RMB entrusted loans, the repayment of inter-enterprise loans or the repayment of bank loans that have been transferred to a third party. Although Circular 19 allows RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested enterprise to be used for equity investments within the PRC, it also reiterates the principle that RMB converted from the foreign currency-denominated capital of a foreign-invested company may not be directly or indirectly used for purposes beyond its business scope. Thus, it is unclear whether the State Administration of Foreign Exchange will permit such capital to be used for equity investments in the PRC in actual practice. The State Administration of Foreign Exchange promulgated the Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Reforming and Standardizing the Foreign Exchange Settlement Management Policy of Capital Account, or Circular 16, effective on June 9, 2016, which reiterates some of the rules set forth in Circular 19, but changes the prohibition against using RMB capital converted from foreign currency-denominated registered capital of a foreign-invested company to issue RMB entrusted loans to a prohibition against using such capital to grant loans to non-associated enterprises. Violations of Circular 19 and Circular 16 could result in administrative penalties. Circular 19 and Circular 16 may significantly limit our ability to transfer any foreign currency CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. holds to its PRC subsidiaries, which may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business in the PRC.
In light of the various requirements imposed by PRC regulations on loans to, and direct investment in, PRC entities by offshore holding companies, we cannot assure you that we will be able to complete the necessary government registrations or obtain the necessary government approvals on a timely basis, if at all, with respect to future loans or future capital contributions by us to our PRC subsidiaries. As a result, uncertainties exist as to our ability to provide prompt financial support to our PRC subsidiaries when needed. If we fail to complete such registrations or obtain such approvals, our ability to use foreign currency and to capitalize or otherwise fund our PRC operations may be negatively affected, which could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to fund and expand our business.
Failure to comply with PRC regulations relating to the investment in offshore special purpose companies by PRC residents may subject our PRC resident stockholders to personal liability, limit our ability to acquire PRC companies or to inject capital into our PRC subsidiaries, limit our PRC subsidiaries’ ability to distribute profits to us or otherwise materially adversely affect us.
On July 14, 2014, SAFE issued the Circular on Relevant Issues Relating to Domestic Residents’ Investment and Financing and Roundtrip Investment through Special Purpose Vehicles (“Circular 37”), which replaced the Circular 75, promulgated by SAFE on October 21, 2005. Circular 37 requires PRC residents to register with local branches of SAFE in connection with their direct establishment or indirect control of an offshore entity, for the purpose of overseas investment and financing, with such PRC residents’ legally owned assets or equity interests in domestic enterprises or offshore assets or interests, referred to in Circular 37 as a “special purpose vehicle.”
We have notified substantial beneficial owners of our company who we know are PRC residents to comply with the registration obligation. However, we may not be aware of the identities of all our beneficial owners who are PRC residents. In addition, we do not have control over our beneficial owners and cannot assure you that all of our PRC resident beneficial owners will comply with Circular 37. The failure of our beneficial owners who are PRC residents to register or amend their SAFE registrations in a timely manner pursuant to Circular 37 or the failure of future beneficial owners of our company who are PRC residents to comply with the registration procedures set forth in Circular 37 may subject such beneficial owners or our PRC subsidiaries to fines and legal sanctions. Failure to register or amend the registration may also limit our ability to contribute additional capital to our PRC subsidiaries or receive dividends or other distributions from our PRC subsidiaries or other proceeds from disposal of our PRC subsidiaries, or we may be penalized by SAFE. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Under the Enterprise Income Tax Law, we may be classified as a “resident enterprise” of China. Such classification will likely result in unfavorable tax consequences to us and our non-PRC shareholders.
On March 16, 2007, the National People’s Congress of China passed a new Enterprise Income Tax Law, or the EIT Law, and on November 28, 2007, the State Council of China passed its implementing rules, which took effect on January 1, 2008. Under the EIT Law, an enterprise established outside of China with “de facto management bodies” within China is considered a “resident enterprise,” meaning that it can be treated in a manner similar to a Chinese enterprise for enterprise income tax purposes. The implementing rules of the EIT Law define de facto management as “substantial and overall management and control over the production and operations, personnel, accounting, and properties” of the enterprise.
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On April 22, 2009, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Notice Concerning Relevant Issues Regarding Cognizance of Chinese Investment Controlled Enterprises Incorporated Offshore as Resident Enterprises pursuant to Criteria of de facto Management Bodies, or the Notice, further interpreting the application of the EIT Law and its implementation non-Chinese enterprise or group controlled offshore entities. Pursuant to the Notice, an enterprise incorporated in an offshore jurisdiction and controlled by a Chinese enterprise or group will be classified as a “non-domestically incorporated resident enterprise” if (i) its senior management in charge of daily operations reside or perform their duties mainly in China; (ii) its financial or personnel decisions are made or approved by bodies or persons in China; (iii) its substantial assets and properties, accounting books, corporate chops, board and shareholder minutes are kept in China; and (iv) at least half of its directors with voting rights or senior management often resident in China. A resident enterprise would be subject to an enterprise income tax rate of 25% on its worldwide income and must pay a withholding tax at a rate of 10% when paying dividends to its non-PRC shareholders. In addition, the SAT issued the Announcement of the State Administration of Taxation on Issues concerning the Determination of Resident Enterprises Based on the Standards of Actual Management Institutions in January 2014 to provide more guidance on the implementation of Circular 82. This bulletin further provides that, among other things, an entity that is classified as a “resident enterprise” in accordance with the circular shall file the application for classifying its status of residential enterprise with the local tax authorities where its main domestic investors are registered. From the year in which the entity is determined to be a “resident enterprise,” any dividend, profit and other equity investment gains from other resident enterprises within China in previous years (on or after January 1, 2008) shall be taxed in accordance with the enterprise income tax law and its implementing rules.
We may be deemed to be a resident enterprise by Chinese tax authorities. If the PRC tax authorities determine that we are a “resident enterprise” for PRC enterprise income tax purposes, a number of unfavorable PRC tax consequences could follow. First, we may be subject to the enterprise income tax at a rate of 25% on our worldwide taxable income as well as PRC enterprise income tax reporting obligations. In our case, this would mean that income such as interest on financing proceeds and non-China source income would be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Second, although under the EIT Law and its implementing rules dividends paid to us from our PRC subsidiaries would qualify as “tax-exempt income,” we cannot guarantee that such dividends will not be subject to a 10% withholding tax, as the PRC foreign exchange control authorities, which enforce the withholding tax, have not yet issued guidance with respect to the processing of outbound remittances to entities that are treated as resident enterprises for PRC enterprise income tax purposes. Finally, it is possible that future guidance issued with respect to the new “resident enterprise” classification could result in a situation in which a 10% withholding tax is imposed on dividends we pay to our non-PRC shareholders and with respect to gains derived by our non-PRC stockholders from transferring our shares. If we were treated as a “resident enterprise” by the PRC tax authorities, we would be subject to taxation in both the U.S. and China, and our PRC tax may not be used as a credit to reduce our U.S. tax.
We and our stockholders face uncertainties with respect to indirect transfers of equity interests in PRC resident enterprises or other assets attributed to a Chinese establishment of a non-Chinese company, or immovable properties located in China owned by non-Chinese companies.
In October 2017, the State Administration of Taxation issued the Bulletin on Issues Concerning the Withholding of Non-PRC Resident Enterprise Income Tax at Source, or Bulletin 37, which replaced the Notice on Strengthening Administration of Enterprise Income Tax for Share Transfers by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises issued by the State Administration of Taxation on December 10, 2009, and partially replaced and supplemented rules under the Bulletin on Issues of Enterprise Income Tax on Indirect Transfers of Assets by Non-PRC Resident Enterprises, or Bulletin 7, issued by the State Administration of Taxation on February 3, 2015. Pursuant to Bulletin 7, an “indirect transfer” of PRC assets, including a transfer of equity interests in an unlisted non-PRC holding company of a PRC resident enterprise, by non-PRC resident enterprises may be re-characterized and treated as a direct transfer of the underlying PRC assets, if such arrangement does not have a reasonable commercial purpose and was established for the purpose of avoiding payment of PRC enterprise income tax. As a result, gains derived from such indirect transfer may be subject to PRC enterprise income tax. According to Bulletin 7, “PRC taxable assets” include assets attributed to an establishment in China, immoveable properties located in China, and equity investments in PRC resident enterprises and any gains from the transfer of such asset by a direct holder, who is a non-PRC resident enterprise, would be subject to PRC enterprise income taxes. When determining whether there is a “reasonable commercial purpose” of the transaction arrangement, features to be taken into consideration include: whether the main value of the equity interest of the relevant offshore enterprise derives from PRC taxable assets; whether the assets of the relevant offshore enterprise mainly consists of direct or indirect investment in China or if its income mainly derives from China; whether the offshore enterprise and its subsidiaries directly or indirectly holding PRC taxable assets have real commercial nature which is evidenced by their actual function and risk exposure; the duration of existence of the business model and organizational structure; the replicability of the transaction by direct transfer of PRC taxable assets; and the tax situation of such indirect transfer and applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements. In the case of an indirect offshore transfer of assets of a PRC establishment, the resulting gain is to be included with the enterprise income tax filing of the PRC establishment or place of business being transferred, and may consequently be subject to PRC enterprise income tax at a rate of 25%. Where the underlying transfer relates to immoveable properties located in China or to equity investments in a PRC resident enterprise, which is not related to a PRC establishment or place of business of a non-resident enterprise, a PRC enterprise income tax of 10% would apply, subject to available preferential tax treatment under applicable tax treaties or similar arrangements, and the party who is obligated to make the transfer payments has the withholding obligation. Pursuant to Bulletin 37, the withholding agent shall declare and pay the withheld tax to the competent tax authority in the place where such withholding agent is located within 7 days from the date of occurrence of the withholding obligation, while the transferor is required to declare and pay such tax to the competent tax authority within the statutory time limit according to Bulletin 7. Late payment of applicable tax will subject the transferor to default interest. Both Bulletin 37 and Bulletin 7 do not apply to transactions of sale of shares by investors through a public stock exchange where such shares were acquired from a transaction through a public stock exchange.
There is uncertainty as to the application of Bulletin 37 or previous rules under Bulletin 7. We face uncertainties as to the reporting and other implications of certain past and future transactions where PRC taxable assets are involved, such as offshore restructuring, sale of the shares in our offshore subsidiaries or investments. Our company may be subject to filing obligations or taxes if our company is transferor in such transactions, and may be subject to withholding obligations if our company is transferee in such transactions, under Bulletin 37 and Bulletin 7. For transfer of shares in our company by investors that are non-PRC resident enterprises, our PRC subsidiary may be requested to assist in the filing under Bulletin 37 and Bulletin 7. As a result, we may be required to expend valuable resources to comply with Bulletin 37 and Bulletin 7 or to request the relevant transferors from whom we purchase taxable assets to comply with these circulars, or to establish that our company should not be taxed under these circulars, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
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We may be exposed to liabilities under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Chinese anti-corruption laws, and any determination that we violated these laws could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act (“FCPA”), and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by U.S. persons and issuers as defined by the statute, for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We have operations, have agreements with third parties, and make most of our sales in China. The PRC also strictly prohibits bribery of government officials. Our activities in China create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our subsidiaries, even though they may not always be subject to our control. It is our policy to implement safeguards to discourage these practices by our employees. However, our existing safeguards and any future improvements may prove to be less than effective, and the employees, consultants, sales agents, or distributors of our subsidiaries may engage in conduct for which we might be held responsible. Violations of the FCPA or Chinese anti-corruption laws may result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, and we may be subject to other liabilities, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the U.S. government may seek to hold our subsidiaries liable for successor liability FCPA violations committed by companies in which we invest or that we acquire.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Our independent auditors have expressed substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.
Our independent auditors have added an explanatory paragraph to their audit opinion issued in connection with our financial statements included in this annual report which states that the financial statements were prepared assuming that we would continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, we had a working capital deficiency, accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year as of December 31, 2025. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included herein, we had accumulated deficit from recurring net losses incurred for the prior years and significant short-term debt obligations maturing in less than one year as of December 31, 2022. These conditions raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We plan to improve our profitability, renew our bank borrowings upon maturity and raise additional funds through bank borrowings and equity financing to meet our daily cash demands. However, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in executing such plans or obtaining additional equity or debt financing on acceptable terms. The audited consolidated financial statements included in this report do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
The acquisition of a controlling Interest in Hitrans has not fully delivered the anticipated benefits, as its financial performance has historically faced challenges in meeting initial expectations; however, Hitrans’s operational results reached an inflection point in the third quarter of 2025 and have since demonstrated a recovery trend. Additionally, it continues to provide strategic value, including market presence and potential synergies with our existing operations. We remain focused on leveraging Hitrans’s capabilities and exploring opportunities to enhance its contribution to our overall business.
We consummated the acquisition of 81.56% of registered equity interests (representing 75.57% of paid-up capital) in Hitrans in November 2021. As of December 31, 2025, our ownership had reduced to 73.46% of registered equity interests (representing 79.64% of paid-up capital) as a result of Hitrans’s subsequent equity financings and our sale of certain equity interests in Hitrans. We have fully paid the registered capital of Hitrans that we had subscribed for.
While Hitrans’s revenue initially declined following the acquisition, performance began to stabilize and trend upward starting in the second half of 2025. Net revenue from sales of cathode materials and precursors increased from $40.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, to $89.2 million for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Acquisitions generally pose risks such as (i) the need to integrate and manage the businesses and products acquired with our own business and products; (ii) additional demands on our resources, systems, procedures and controls; (iii) disruption of our ongoing business; (iv) potential unknown or unquantifiable liabilities associated with the target company; and (v) diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns. This acquisition involved substantial investment of funds from our previous equity financings and resulted in one-time charges and expenses. If we are unable to sustain the recent recovery momentum of Hitrans, our operating results could be negatively impacted.
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Additionally, we have recognized impairment losses for long-lived assets of $0.5 million and nil for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Such impairment charges represented the excess of carrying amounts of long-lived assets over the estimated fair value of the production facilities in Hitrans for the production of materials used in manufacturing of lithium batteries. We also recognized impairment losses for goodwill of $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to the underperformance of the Hitrans segment. Any additional impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets acquired in connection with Hitrans’s acquisition or in another acquisition or charges to earnings associated with any acquisition or investment activity, may materially reduce our earnings.
We may face additional impairment charges if economic environments in which our businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions substantially change.
Assessment of the potential impairment of property, plant and equipment and other identifiable intangible assets is an integral part of our normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of long-lived assets is dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects our best estimates at a particular point in time, which may vary from testing date to testing date. The economic environments in which our businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions with respect to projected product selling prices and materials costs, market growth and inflation rates, can significantly affect the outcome of impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on both the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time at which such impairments are recognized. Future changes in the economic environment and the economic outlook for the assets being evaluated could also result in impairment charges. Any significant asset impairments would adversely impact our financial results.
If we cannot continue to develop new products in a timely manner, and at favorable margins, we may not be able to compete effectively.
The battery industry has been notable for the pace of innovations in product life, product design and applied technology. We have made, and will continue to make, investments in research and development with the goal of further innovation. The successful development and introduction of new products and line extensions face the uncertainty of customer acceptance and reaction from competitors, as well as the possibility of cannibalization of sales of our existing products. In addition, our ability to create new products and line extensions and to sustain existing products is affected by whether we can:
| ● | develop and fund research and technological innovations; |
| ● | receive and maintain necessary intellectual property protections; |
| ● | obtain governmental approvals and registrations; |
| ● | comply with governmental regulations; and |
| ● | anticipate customer needs and preferences successfully. |
The failure to develop and launch successful new products could hinder the growth of our business and any delay in the development or launch of a new product could also compromise our competitive position. If competitors introduce new or enhanced products that significantly outperform ours, or if they develop or apply manufacturing technology which permits them to manufacture at a significantly lower cost relative to ours, we may be unable to compete successfully in the market segments affected by these changes.
There are inherent risks associated with new product development and our efforts to develop and market new products could fail.
In June 2020, our wholly-owned subsidiary, BAK Asia entered into a framework investment agreement with Gaochun EDZ. According to this agreement, we intended to develop certain lithium battery projects which are expected to have a total production capacity of approximately 20 GWh per year with support from Gaochun EDZ. See also “Item 1. Business—Expansion of Manufacturing Capabilities” for additional information on our cooperation with Gaochun EDZ. We have put into operation two production lines of model 32140 large-sized cylindrical “tabless” batteries with an actual production capacity of 1.5 GWh per year. Model 32140 batteries can be used in light electric vehicles, electric vehicles and energy storage. Model 32140 batteries can be used in end applications such as light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, electric tools and energy storage. We also announced in June 2023 that we had succeeded in mass-producing Model 32140 sodium-ion cylindrical batteries, making us one of only a few companies in the world that have the capacity to mass produce sodium-ion batteries. We are actively ramping up production capacity across two new Model 32140 lines at our Nanjing facility and a newly commissioned large-format Model 40135 line at our Dalian facility. Concurrently, we continue to drive future innovation by accelerating the development of our next-generation cylindrical cell series, which includes Models 60115, 60135, and 60150.
In addition, we have been gradually phasing out our light electric vehicle business. In 2020, we ventured into developing light electric vehicle projects. On November 9, 2020, we established our new subsidiary, Nanjing BFD, formally named Nanjing Daxin, to launch and develop our light electric vehicle business. However, the development of this new line of business was not successful due to the competitive landscape and evolving market preferences. Jiangsu Daxin, a subsidiary wholly-owned by Nanjing BFD, incorporated on August 4, 2021 and focused on the development and manufacture of electric bicycle, motorcycle and automotive spare parts, was dissolved on December 22, 2023. Nanjing BFD has shifted away from the development and manufacture of electric bicycles, motorcycles and automotive spare parts and pivoted towards the manufacture of sodium-ion batteries since 2023. Beginning in 2025, Nanjing BFD’s primary operational focus shifted to battery pack assembly. This business unit is dedicated to integrating our individual cells into finished, fully functional battery systems for our end customers.
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By assembling individual cells into complete, plug-and-play battery systems, we seek to bypass intermediate integrators and serve end-users directly. Currently, these manufactured pack units are predominantly engineered for, and utilized within, the light electric vehicle battery swapping infrastructure throughout the African market. The battery pack integration business requires us to develop new capabilities in systems integration, supply chain management for pack-level components, quality assurance for assembled systems, and direct engagement with end-users, all of which carry execution risk. Moreover, our initial focus on the African market for battery swapping infrastructure introduces additional risks specific to that market, including limited infrastructure, evolving regulatory frameworks, political instability, currency volatility, and challenges in establishing reliable distribution and after-sales service networks in a new geographic region.
We cannot provide assurance that market acceptance of our new products will occur due to the highly competitive nature of the business, or our future business ventures will not fail. The Company has operated and competed in industries where there are frequent introductions of new products and line extensions and such product introductions often require significant investment and support. The Company competes in the battery industry where there are frequent introductions of new products and line extensions and such product introductions often require significant investment and support. The ability of the Company to understand end user needs and preferences is key to maintaining and improving the competitiveness of its product offerings. The development and introduction of new products, as well as the renovation of current products and product lines, require substantial and effective research, development and marketing expenditures, which the Company may be unable to recoup if the new or renovated products do not gain widespread market acceptance. There are inherent risks associated with new product development and marketing efforts, including product development or launch delays, product performance issues during development, changing regulatory frameworks that affect the new products in development and the availability of key raw materials included in such products. These inherent risks could result in the failure of new products and product line extensions to achieve anticipated levels of market acceptance, additional costs resulting from failed product introductions and the Company not being first to market. As the Company continues to focus on innovation and renovation of its products, the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected in the event that the Company is not able to effectively develop and introduce new or renovated products and line or brand extensions.
Our failure, if any, to keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards may cause our products to become obsolete and less marketable, resulting in loss of market share to our competitors.
The lithium-based battery market, as well as the battery materials industry, are characterized by changing technologies and evolving industry standards, which are difficult to predict. This, coupled with frequent introduction of new products and models, has shortened product life cycles and may render our products obsolete or unmarketable. Our ability to adapt to evolving industry standards and anticipate future standards will be a significant factor in maintaining and improving our competitive position and our prospects for growth. To achieve this goal, we have invested and plan to continue investing significant financial resources in our R&D infrastructure. Currently, we have facilities in Dalian, Nanjing and Shaoxing, China, which have about 379 R&D staffers and over 9,151 square meters of space dedicated to R&D activities.
R&D activities, however, are inherently uncertain, and we might encounter practical difficulties in commercializing our research results. Accordingly, our significant investment in our R&D infrastructure may not bear fruit. On the other hand, our competitors may improve their technologies or even achieve technological breakthroughs that would render our products obsolete or less marketable. Therefore, our failure to effectively keep up with rapid technological changes and evolving industry standards by introducing new and enhanced products may cause us to lose our market share and to suffer a decrease in our revenue.
Maintaining our R&D activities and manufacturing operations requires significant capital expenditures, and our inability or failure to maintain our operations could have a material adverse impact on our market share and ability to generate revenue.
We incurred capital expenditures of approximately $44.6 million and $17.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We may incur significant additional capital expenditures as a result of unanticipated expenses, regulatory changes and other events that impact our business. If we are unable or fail to timely obtain capital on acceptable terms and adequately maintain our manufacturing capacity, we could lose customers and there could be a material adverse impact on our market share and our ability to generate revenue.
We face intense competition from other battery manufacturers and cathode material and precursor producers, many of which have significantly greater resources.
The market for batteries used in residential energy storage & UPS applications, electric vehicles and light electric vehicles is intensely competitive and is characterized by frequent technological changes and evolving industry standards. We expect competition to become more intense. Increased competition may result in declines in average selling prices, causing a decrease in gross profit margins. We have faced and will continue to face competition from manufacturers of traditional rechargeable batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, other manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries and companies engaged in the development of batteries incorporating new technologies. We have faced and will continue to face competition from manufacturers of traditional rechargeable batteries, such as lead-acid batteries other manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries, as well as from companies engaged in the development of batteries incorporating new technologies. Other manufacturers of high-power lithium batteries currently include Gotion Hi-tech, EVE Battery, Shandong Goldencell, EVPS, Power Long Battery, Great Power, Do-Fluoride, Greenway and Ampace.
Many of these existing competitors have greater financial, personnel, technical, manufacturing, marketing, sales and other resources than we do. As a result, these competitors may be in a stronger position to respond quickly to market opportunities, new or emerging technologies and evolving industry standards. Many of our competitors are developing a variety of battery technologies, such as lithium polymer, prismatic cells, cylindrical cells and fuel cell batteries, which are expected to compete with our existing product lines. Many of our competitors are developing a variety of battery technologies, such as lithium polymer, prismatic cells and fuel cell batteries, which are expected to compete with our existing product lines. Other companies undertaking R&D activities of solid-polymer lithium-ion batteries have developed prototypes and are constructing commercial scale production facilities. It is possible that our competitors will be able to introduce new products with more desirable features than ours and their new products will gain market acceptance. If our competitors successfully do so, we may not be able to maintain our competitive position and our future success would be materially and adversely affected.
The market for cathode materials and precursors has been evolving rapidly. Rapid and ongoing changes in technology and product standards could render our cathode materials and precursor products less competitive, or even obsolete, particularly if we fail to continue to improve the performance of our cathode materials and precursor products. Competing technologies that outperform our cathode materials and precursor products in one or more performance attributes could be developed and successfully introduced. We are aware of certain companies, including Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. We are aware of certain companies, including Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. , Ltd. and Ningbo Ronbay Lithium Battery Material Co., Ltd. using cell chemistry technology similar to our technology and these or other companies have introduced or could introduce products that compete directly with our products and could in the future outperform our products in one or more performance attributes, could be offered to our customers as a cheaper alternative to our products or may result in increased pricing pressure on our products.
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We are dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenues, including international customers across multiple continents, and this dependence is likely to continue.
We have been dependent on a limited number of customers for a significant portion of our revenue. Our top five customers accounted for approximately 66.1% and 37.1% of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025, respectively. Dependence on a few customers could make it difficult to negotiate attractive prices for our products and could expose us to the risk of substantial losses if a single prominent customer stops purchasing our products.
Currently, major customers for our high-power lithium batteries business include Anker Innovations, Spiro Mobility, Bucida, Ather Energy, Shenzhen ACE Battery, DAT Bike, and Inverted Energy. These customers are based in, or conduct significant operations across, multiple international markets, including Europe, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. As a result, our revenue is subject to not only customer concentration risk, but also to the financial health, market conditions, and regulatory environments affecting these specific international customers and the markets in which they operate. For instance, the financial difficulties, operational disruptions, or strategic shifts of any one of these major customers could materially and adversely affect our revenue and results of operations. This could negatively impact our revenues and adversely affect our reputation and relationships with our customers, causing a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects. Moreover, our reliance on customers operating across a broad range of international jurisdictions subjects us to additional risks, including the impact of foreign economic conditions, trade restrictions, sanctions, and geopolitical instability on customer demand.
We expect that a limited number of customers will continue to contribute a significant portion of our sales in the near future. Our ability to maintain close relationships with these top customers is essential to the growth and profitability of our business. If we fail to sell our products to one or more of these top customers in any particular period, or if a large customer purchases fewer of our products, defers orders or fails to place additional orders with us, or if we fail to develop additional major customers, our revenue could decline, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition to our own production, we also rely on a few battery suppliers to fulfill our customers’ orders. If we fail to effectively manage our relationships with, or lose the services of these suppliers and we cannot substitute suitable alternative suppliers, our operations would be materially adversely affected.
We generate part of our revenues by outsourcing some of our customers’ orders to other suppliers for certain battery models that we do not produce. If our business relationship with these suppliers changes negatively or their financial condition deteriorates, or their operating environment changes, our business may be harmed in many ways. Suppliers may also unilaterally terminate battery supply to us or increase the prices. As a result, we are not assured of an uninterrupted supply of certain types of high-power lithium batteries of acceptable quality or at acceptable prices from suppliers. On the other hand, we may not be able to substitute them with suitable alternative contract manufacturers in a timely manner on commercially acceptable terms or at all. We may be forced to default on the agreements with our customers. This may negatively impact our revenues and adversely affect our reputation and relationships with our customers, causing a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Failure by us to maintain and strengthen relationships with certain contract battery material producer may materially adversely affect our ability to fulfill customer orders and our results of operations.
We outsource the production of a portion of our battery material products to a third-party supplier in Xianyang city, Shaanxi province. Our ability to meet the demands of our customers for battery material products would be affected, if our relationship with this supplier changes negatively, or operations at this supplier are disrupted. This could negatively impact our revenues and adversely affect our reputation and relationships with our customers, causing a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Our business depends on the growth in demand for light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage, such as residential energy supply and UPS application, and other high-power electric devices.
As the demand for our battery cell and battery materials is directly related to the market demand for high-power electric devices, a fast-growing high-power electric devices market will be critical to the success of our business. In anticipation of an expected increase in the demand for high-power electric devices such as electric vehicles, light electric vehicles, and energy storage including residential energy supply and UPS application in the next few years, we are building new manufacturing facilities in Nanjing and have invested in the R&D capability of our acquired battery materials business. However, the markets we have targeted, primarily those in the PRC, may not achieve the level of growth we expect. If this market fails to achieve our expected level of growth, we may have excess production capacity and may not be able to generate enough revenue to maintain our profitability.
We face risks associated with the marketing, distribution and sale of our products internationally, including in new markets such as Africa, and if we are unable to effectively manage these risks, they could impair our ability to expand our business abroad.
For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2025, we derived 44% and 25%, respectively, of our sales from outside the PRC mainland. We deem overseas markets as an important revenue source for us, and have been actively pursuing opportunities to expand our customer base overseas. We deem overseas market as an important revenue source for us, and have been actively pursuing opportunities to expand our customer base overseas. Currently, our commercial strategy for our battery segment is driven by our integrated marketing divisions in Dalian and Nanjing. Having successfully established a comprehensive sales network throughout China, these teams are actively accelerating our global footprint by developing robust international distribution channels across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Africa. In addition, our Nanjing BFD subsidiary has commenced battery pack integration operations targeting the African market.
The marketing, international distribution and sale of our products expose us to a number of risks, including:
| ● | fluctuations in currency exchange rates; |
| ● | difficulty in engaging and retaining distributors that are knowledgeable about, and can function effectively in, overseas markets; |
| ● | increased costs associated with maintaining marketing efforts in various countries; |
| ● | difficulty and cost relating to compliance with the different commercial and legal requirements of the overseas markets in which we offer our products; |
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| ● | inability to obtain, maintain or enforce intellectual property rights; |
| ● | trade barriers such as export requirements, tariffs, taxes and other restrictions and expenses, which could increase the prices of our products and make us less competitive in some countries; |
| ● | geopolitical instability, armed conflict, terrorism, sanctions, and trade restrictions affecting markets in which we or our customers operate, including, but not limited to, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and related disruptions to global trade and logistics; and |
| ● | operational and logistical challenges particular to emerging markets, including infrastructure limitations, political instability, less predictable legal and regulatory environments, and challenges in establishing effective distribution, servicing, and warranty support networks. |
Our expansion into new geographic markets, particularly the African market for battery pack products and the diversification of our customer base across Europe, North America, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, increases our exposure to these risks. If we are unable to effectively manage these risks, our ability to expand our international operations and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our expansion into the African market subjects us to significant operational, regulatory, political, and economic risks that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our Nanjing BFD subsidiary has commenced battery pack integration operations targeting the African market, with manufactured pack units predominantly engineered for, and utilized within, the light electric vehicle battery swapping infrastructure throughout the region. In 2025, approximately 9% of our revenue was derived from the African market. As this represents our initial entry into the African market, we face a number of risks and uncertainties specific to operating in this region, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Many countries in Africa have limited transportation, logistics, energy, and telecommunications infrastructure compared to the markets in which we have historically operated, which may impair our ability to deliver products reliably, maintain consistent supply chains, and support the battery swapping infrastructure on which our products depend. The regulatory environment governing electric vehicles, battery technologies, energy storage, and related industries in many African countries is at an early stage of development and may change rapidly or unpredictably, creating uncertainty regarding necessary permits, product liability standards, environmental requirements, and import and export controls obligations. In addition, certain countries in Africa have experienced, and may continue to experience, political instability, civil unrest, armed conflict, terrorism, government expropriation, sanctions, and abrupt changes in government leadership or policy, any of which could disrupt our operations, threaten the safety of our personnel, damage or destroy our assets, and impair our ability to enforce contractual rights.
Establishing reliable distribution channels and after-sales service networks in the African market presents significant challenges. We currently deploy expatriate employees from our PRC subsidiaries to multiple African countries to provide local after-sales services. These expatriate personnel are employed and compensated by our PRC subsidiaries and return to China periodically, subjecting us to additional risks, including difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, compliance with immigration and labor laws across multiple African jurisdictions, exposure to health and safety risks, and the logistical complexity of managing a geographically dispersed expatriate workforce. Our operations spanning multiple African countries also subject us to a complex web of legal and regulatory requirements, including anti-corruption laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and applicable PRC anti-bribery laws, export control regulations, trade sanctions, tax laws, and transfer pricing rules. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal penalties, reputational harm, and disruption of our operations.
We have limited operating history and institutional knowledge with respect to the African market, and we may face competition from established local and international participants with greater familiarity with local market conditions and more established distribution networks. There can be no assurance that our products and services will sustain market acceptance in Africa. If any of the foregoing risks materialize, individually or in combination, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects could be materially and adversely affected.
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Our success, in part, depends on the success of manufacturers of the end applications that use our products, and our failure to gain acceptance of our products from such manufacturers could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and profitability.
As we target the battery markets for light electric vehicles, electric vehicles, energy storage including but not limited to residential energy supply & UPS application, and other high-power electric devices, our future success in part depends on whether end-application manufacturers are willing to use batteries that incorporate our products. To secure acceptance of our products, we must constantly develop and introduce more reliable and cost-effective battery cells and battery materials with enhanced functionality to meet evolving industry standards. We generated approximately $37.2 million revenues from light electric vehicle and electric vehicle customers in 2025. In 2025, our sales of cathode materials and precursors reached $89.2 million. However, we cannot guarantee that the market demand for our products will not decline. However, we cannot guarantee that the market demand for the cathode materials and precursors will maintain the current growth rate.
Even if a manufacturer decides to use batteries that incorporate our products, the manufacturer may not be able to market and sell its products successfully. The manufacturer’s inability to market and sell its products successfully, whether from lack of market acceptance or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect our business and prospects because this manufacturer may not order new products from us. If we cannot achieve the expected level of sales, we will not be able to make sufficient profits to offset the expenditures we have incurred to expand our production capacity or develop new technologies, nor will we be able to grow our business. Accordingly, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future success would be materially and adversely affected.
We have engaged in transactions with related parties, and such transactions present potential conflicts of interest that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
As a public company, we are unable to control or predict transfers of our common stock by our shareholders, nor can we control whether our suppliers, customers, or their respective controlling persons acquire or dispose of our common stock. There was a change in the shareholder who beneficially owns more than 10% of our outstanding common stock in December 2025. See Item 12 “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in this annual report for further details. To our knowledge, the individual who beneficially owns the new shareholder that holds more than 10% of our outstanding common stock and is our largest shareholder, Gimli Group Limited, is a family member of a controlling person of certain of our suppliers and customers for certain products, and also holds an equity interest in one of our suppliers. Although such individual and the related entities had existing supplier and customer relationships with us prior to the change in our principal shareholder, these relationships may give rise to potential conflicts of interest in our future commercial dealings. Further, we may in the future enter into additional transactions with entities affiliated with Gimli Group Limited or the individual who beneficially owns Gimli Group Limited. Such transactions present potential for conflicts of interest, as the interests of these entities may not align with the interests of the Company and our unaffiliated shareholders with respect to the negotiation of, and certain other matters related to, our purchases from, sales to and other transactions with such entities. Conflicts of interest may also arise in connection with the exercise of contractual remedies under these transactions, such as for events of default.
All transactions with related parties are subject to our internal policies governing conflicts of interest and related-party approvals. We believe that the terms of such transactions are fair and reflect arm’s-length pricing. However, we cannot assure you that third parties, including regulators, auditors, or investors, will not challenge our assessment or conclude that such arrangements were not conducted on an arm’s-length basis. Moreover, we cannot assure you that any past, present, or future principal shareholder has not or will not exercise significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and the approval of significant corporate transactions, in a manner that prioritizes its own interests over those of our shareholders as a whole. Any such actions could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We may not be able to accurately plan our production based on our sales contracts, which may result in excess product inventory or product shortages.
Our sales contracts for battery cells typically provide for a non-binding, three (3)-month forecast on the quantity of products that our customers may purchase from us. Our sales contracts for battery materials typically provide for a non-binding, two (2)-month forecast on the quantity of products that our customers may purchase from us. Our sales contracts for battery materials typically provide for a non-binding, two-month forecast on the quantity of products that our customers may purchase from us. We typically have only a 15-day to 30-day lead time to manufacture battery cell products and 25-day lead time to produce battery material products to meet our customers’ requirements once our customers place orders with us. To meet the short delivery deadline, we generally make significant decisions on our production level and timing, procurement, facility requirements, personnel needs and other resources requirements based on our estimate in light of this forecast, our past dealings with such customers, market conditions and other relevant factors. Our customers’ final purchase orders may not be consistent with our estimates. If the final purchase orders substantially differ from our estimates, we may have excess product inventory or product shortages. Excess product inventory could result in unprofitable sales or write-offs as our products are susceptible to obsolescence and price declines. Producing additional products to make up for any product shortages within a short time frame may be difficult, making us unable to fill out the purchase orders. In either case, our results of operation would fluctuate from period to period.
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A change in our product mix may cause our results of operations to differ substantially from the anticipated results in any particular period.
Our overall profitability may not meet expectations if our products, customers or geographic mix are substantially different than anticipated. Our profit margins vary among products, customers and geographic markets. Consequently, if our mix of any of these is substantially different from what is anticipated in any particular period, our profitability could be lower than anticipated.
Manufacturing or use of our products may cause accidents, which could result in significant production interruption, delay or claims for substantial damages.
Due to the high energy density inherent in lithium-based batteries, our batteries can pose certain safety risks, including the risk of fire. Although we incorporate safety procedures in the research, development, manufacture and transportation of batteries that are designed to minimize safety risks, the manufacture or use of our products may still cause accidents. Any accident, whether occurring at the manufacturing facilities or from the use of our products, may result in significant production interruption, delays or claims for substantial damages caused by personal injuries or property damages.
We may not be able to substantially increase our manufacturing output in order to maintain our cost competitiveness.
We believe that our ability to offer products at lower costs—leveraging economies of scale from fully operational production lines—while maintaining prices above the market average has been a key driver of o our past success and will be vital to our future growth. We believe this is one of our competitive advantages over our competitors. We believe this is one of our competitive advantages over our Japanese and Korean competitors. We need to increase our manufacturing output to a level that will enable us to substantially reduce the cost of our products on a per unit basis through economies of scale. However, our ability to substantially increase our manufacturing output is subject to significant constraints and uncertainties, including:
| ● | the need to raise significant additional funds to purchase and prepay raw materials or to build additional manufacturing facilities, which we may be unable to obtain on reasonable terms or at all; |
| ● | delays and cost overruns as a result of a number of factors, many of which may be beyond our control, such as increases in raw material prices and problems with equipment vendors; |
| ● | delays or denial of required approvals by relevant government authorities; |
| ● | diversion of significant management attention and other resources; and |
| ● | failure to execute our expansion plan effectively. |
If we are unable to increase our manufacturing output because of any of the risks described above, we may be unable to maintain our competitive position or achieve the growth we expect. Moreover, even if we expand our manufacturing output, we may not be able to generate sufficient customer demand for our products to support our increased production output.
We may incur significant costs because of the warranties we supply with our battery products.
With respect to the sale of our battery products, we typically offer warranties against any defects due to product malfunction or workmanship for a period of six (6) months-to-five (5) years from the date of purchase, including a period of six (6) to twenty-four (24) months for battery cells, and a period of twelve (12) to twenty-seven (27) months for battery modules for electric bicycles, and a period of three (3) years to five (5) years (or 120,000 or 200,000 km if reached sooner) for battery modules for electric vehicles. Beginning in 2025, we also provide warranties for our battery pack products, generally under a "2+1" year model based on time or battery cycles. Under certain agreements, we are responsible for replacements, logistics, and labor costs for defective units, and may be subject to product recalls if defect rates exceed specified thresholds. Additionally, we may be liable for substantial indemnification in the event of safety-related incidents caused by our products. We provide a reserve for these potential warranty expenses, which is based on an analysis of historical warranty issues. There is no assurance that future warranty claims will be consistent with past history, and in the event that we experience a significant increase in warranty claims, there is no assurance that our reserves will be sufficient. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
While certain of our subsidiaries maintain product liability insurance, we do not maintain comprehensive product liability insurance across all our operations to cover all claims against our product quality. Defects in our products could result in a loss of customers and decrease in revenue, unexpected expenses and a loss of market share.
Certain of our subsidiaries maintain product liability insurance, but we do not maintain comprehensive product liability insurance across all our operations to provide against all claims against us based on our product quality. As a result, to the extent that our products are not covered by insurance or if the insurance coverage is insufficient, defects in our products could result in a loss of customers and decrease in revenue, unexpected expenses and a loss of market share. Furthermore, if any of our products are found to have reliability, quality or compatibility problems, we will be required to accept returns, provide replacements, provide refunds, or pay damages. We may be required to incur substantial amounts to indemnify our customers in respect of their product quality claims against us that are not covered by insurance, which would materially and adversely affect the results of our operations and severely damage our reputation. We may be required to incur substantial amounts to indemnify our customers in respect of their product quality claims against us, which would materially and adversely affect the results of our operations and severely damage our reputation.
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We do not have insurance coverage against all the damages or losses of our facilities.
We currently have insurance coverage for certain buildings located at our facilities in Dalian. We are discussing with multiple insurance service providers aiming to secure comprehensive insurance coverage for the remaining properties. If we were to suffer any losses or damages to any of the facilities before the purchase of insurance policies that provide adequate coverage, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our subsidiary, Hitrans, maintains property insurance coverage against certain property and inventory damages and losses. In addition, Hitrans maintains property insurance coverage against certain property and inventory damages and losses.
However, such insurance may not adequately compensate us for any such losses and will not address a loss of customers as a result of property damages and consequent disruptions to operations or may have large deductibles insufficient to support our continuing operations. If damages or losses exceed the insurance coverage, we may not be able to return to operation for an extended period of time, potentially even threatening our viability. If damages or losses exceed the insurance coverage, it may not be able to return to operation for an extended period of time, potentially even threatening its viability. In addition, insurance coverage is expensive, may be difficult to obtain and may not be available in the future on acceptable terms or at all. A significant increase in the cost of insurance coverage could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We depend on third parties to supply key raw materials and components to us. Failure to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials and components in a timely fashion and at reasonable costs could significantly delay our production and shipments, which would cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers.
We purchase from Chinese domestic suppliers for certain key raw materials and components such as electrolytes, electrode materials and separators for our battery cell products and purchase from Chinese domestic suppliers for graphite, iron phosphate and lithium phosphate. We have purchased raw materials and components on the basis of purchase orders. In the absence of firm and long-term contracts, we may not be able to obtain a sufficient supply of these raw materials and components from our existing suppliers or alternates in a timely fashion or at a reasonable cost. If we fail to secure a sufficient supply of key raw materials and components in a timely fashion, it would result in a significant delay in our production and shipments, which may cause us to breach our sales contracts with our customers. Furthermore, failure to obtain sufficient supply of these raw materials and components at a reasonable cost could also harm our revenue and gross profit margins.
Fluctuations in prices and availability of raw materials, particularly Ni, Co, Mn, Li2CO3, LiPF6 and LiFePO4, could increase our costs or cause delays in shipments, which would adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our operating results could be adversely affected by increases in the cost of raw materials, particularly Ni, Co, Mn, Li2CO3, LiPF6 and LiFePO4, the primary cost component of our battery products, battery material products or other product parts or components. The prices of Ni, Co, Mn, Li2CO3, LiPF6 and LiFePO4 are not stable.
Although we are not dependent on single suppliers for the supply of any raw materials, we mostly purchase raw materials through individual purchase orders or short-term contracts and not pursuant to long-term contracts. As such, our third-party suppliers may not be able to satisfy our requirements during a period of sustained or growing demand.
In addition, our battery cell products historically have not been able to fully offset the effects of higher costs of raw materials through price increases to customers or by way of productivity improvements. As a result, a significant increase in the price of one or more raw materials, parts or components or the inability to successfully implement price increases/surcharges to mitigate such cost increases could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
We do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers, which may result in significant uncertainties and volatility with respect to our revenue from period to period.
We do not have long-term purchase commitments from our customers and the term of our sales contracts with our customers is typically one year or less. Furthermore, these contracts leave certain major terms such as price and quantity of products open to be determined in each purchase order. These contracts also allow parties to re-adjust the contract price for substantial changes in market conditions. As a result, if our customers hold stronger bargaining power than us or the market conditions are in their favor, we may not be able to enjoy the price downside protection or upside gain. Furthermore, our customers may decide not to continue placing purchase orders with us in the future at the same level as in prior periods. As a result, our results of operations may vary from period to period and may fluctuate significantly in the future.
Compliance with environmental regulations can be expensive, and our failure to comply with these regulations may result in adverse publicity and a material adverse effect on our business.
As a manufacturer, we are subject to various PRC environmental laws and regulations on air emission, wastewater discharge, solid waste and noise. Although we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with current environmental laws and regulations, we may not be able to comply with these regulations at all times as the PRC environmental legal regime is evolving and becoming more stringent. Therefore, if the PRC government imposes more stringent regulations in the future, we will have to incur additional substantial costs and expenses in order to comply with new regulations, which may negatively affect our results of operations. If we fail to comply with any of the present or future environmental regulations in material aspects, we may suffer from negative publicity and may be required to pay substantial fines, suspend or even cease operations. Failure to comply with PRC environmental laws and regulations may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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We rely significantly on technology and systems to support our production, supply chain, payments, financial reporting and other key aspects of our business. Any failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of those systems could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation and brand, financial condition, and results of operations. This may negatively impact our revenues and adversely affect our reputation and relationships with our customers, causing a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
The satisfactory performance, reliability and availability of our technology systems are critical to our business. A failure or malfunction of our information technology system can result in substantial losses, damage and harm to our business, operations or brand. To manage our operations and personnel, we will need to continue to improve and expand our operational and financial systems, transaction processing and internal controls and business processes; in doing so, we could encounter transitional issues and incur substantial additional expenses. The failure of our information systems to operate effectively, problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems or expanding them, or a breach in security of these systems, could materially adversely affect the promptness and accuracy of our manufacturing process, products delivery, transaction processing, financial accounting and reporting, the efficiency of our operations and our ability to properly forecast earnings and cash requirements. We could be required to make significant additional expenditures to remediate any such failure, problem or breach. Any such events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. These risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Further, we house a portion of our systems offsite at third-party data centers. Our data centers may be subject to cyber-attacks or other technology-related incidents, and also break-ins, sabotage and intentional acts of vandalism that could cause disruptions in our ability to serve our customers and protect data. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning cannot account for all eventualities. The occurrence of a natural disaster, intentional sabotage or other anticipated problems could result in lengthy interruptions to our operations. Any errors or vulnerability in our systems or damage to or failure of our systems, or a third-party data center hosting our data, could result in interruptions in our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In addition, we may now and in the future implement new systems to increase efficiency and profitability. We may encounter transitional issues and incur substantial additional expenses in connection with any implementation or change to existing processes, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
System security risk issues, and disruption of our internal operations or information technology systems, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
External parties, such as experienced computer programmers and hackers, or even internal users (including both employees and non-employees with authorized access), may be able to penetrate or create systems disruptions or cause shutdowns of our networks, systems and applications or those of third-party vendors. We collect and store identifiable information about our employees, customers and others, and sometimes rely upon third-party service providers to maintain or process data on our behalf and to provide security for the information in their possession. Such compromise of such information could subject us to governmental investigations and/or enforcement actions, fines and penalties, litigation, claims and other liabilities, and harm our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, we could incur significant expenses or disruptions of our operations in connection with system failures, timeliness of applying updates to vulnerable systems or other factors within or beyond our control. Such failures or breaches in our information systems could also result in the disclosure, misappropriation or misuse of or unauthorized access to our confidential, proprietary, or personal information, disruption of our operations or damage to our networks and systems. An increasing number of companies have recently disclosed breaches of their security, some of which have involved increasingly sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on portions of their sites.
Although we take steps to protect our networks, systems, applications and data, we or our service providers may be unable to anticipate, defend against, or timely identify and respond to such activity, including but not limited to hacking, malware, viruses, social engineering (such as phishing or other scams), extortion, account takeover attacks, denial or degradation of service attacks, supply chain attacks, computer and network vulnerabilities or the negligence and malfeasance of individuals with authorized access to our data. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we buy or license from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including “bugs” and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the security and operation of the systems. The costs to us to eliminate or alleviate security problems, viruses and bugs, or any problems associated with the outsourced services provided to us, could be significant, and efforts to address these problems could result in interruptions, delays or cessation of service that may impede our production, supply chain, sales, financial reporting or other critical functions and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Chinese government and governments in other jurisdictions have enacted laws or regulations that require companies to notify individuals about certain types of security incidents or breaches, and any such disclosures may lead to negative publicity. It is also possible that security breaches affecting our competitors or others in our industry could also result in negative publicity that indirectly harms our reputation. Increasing public, industry, and governmental focus on privacy and data security may continue to lead to additional guidance or legislative and regulatory action. As a result, we may have to modify our business systems and practices with the goal of further improving data security, which could result in reduced net revenue, increased expenditures and operating complexity. Any compromise of our security or security breach could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, significant legal and financial exposure or damage to our reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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We currently do not carry insurance to cover any potential claims or expenses related to security breaches that affect us. In addition, we cannot assure investors that the limitations on liability in our contracts would be enforceable or adequate or would otherwise protect us from any such liabilities with respect to any particular claim. Any imposition of liability that is not covered by insurance would increase our operating expenses and reduce our net income, if any, or increase our net loss.
The use of technology based on artificial intelligence presents risks relating to confidentiality, creation of inaccurate and flawed outputs and emerging regulatory risk, any or all of which may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
As with many technological innovations, artificial intelligence (“AI”) presents great promise but also risks and challenges that could adversely affect our business. Sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information of the Company and employees, could be leaked, disclosed, or revealed as a result of or in connection with the use of generative AI technologies by our employees or vendors. Any such information input into a third-party generative AI or machine learning platform could be revealed to others, including if information is used to train the third party’s generative AI or machine learning models. Additionally, where a generative AI or machine learning model ingests personal information and makes connections using such data, those technologies may reveal other sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information generated by the model. Moreover, generative AI or machine learning models may create incomplete, inaccurate, or otherwise flawed outputs, some of which may appear correct. Due to these issues, these models could lead us to make flawed decisions that could result in adverse consequences to us, including exposure to reputational and competitive harm, customer loss, and legal liability. In addition, uncertainty in the legal regulatory regime relating to AI may require significant resources to modify and maintain business practices to comply with applicable law, the nature of which cannot be determined at this time. Several jurisdictions have already proposed or enacted laws governing AI. These obligations may prevent or limit our ability to use AI in our business, lead to regulatory fines or penalties, or require us to change our business practices. If we cannot use AI, or that use is restricted, our business may be less efficient, or we may be at a competitive disadvantage. Any of these factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business depends substantially on the continuing efforts of our senior executives and other key personnel, and our business may be severely disrupted if we lose their services.
Our future success heavily depends on the continued service of our senior executives and other key employees. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. In particular, we rely on the expertise and experience of our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, President Mr. Zhiguang Hu and our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Jiewei Li. If one or more of our other senior executives are unable or unwilling to continue to work for us in their present positions, we may encounter similar problems, but on a compounded basis. Moreover, if any of our current or former senior executives joins a competitor or forms a competing company, we may lose customers, suppliers, know-how and key personnel. Each of our executive officers has entered into an employment agreement with us, which contains non-competition and confidentiality clauses. However, if any dispute arises between our current or former executive officers and the Company, it is hard to predict the extent to which any of these agreements could be enforced in China, where these executive officers reside, in light of the uncertainties with China’s legal system.
The success of our business depends on our ability to attract, train and retain highly skilled employees and key personnel.
Because of the highly specialized, technical nature of our business, we must attract, train and retain a sizable workforce comprising highly skilled employees and other key personnel. Since our industry is characterized by high demand and intense competition for talent, we may have to pay higher salaries and wages and provide greater benefits in order to attract and retain highly skilled employees or other key personnel that we will need to achieve our strategic objectives. Our ability to train and integrate new employees into our operations may not meet the requirements of our growing business. Our failure to attract, train or retain highly skilled employees and other key personnel in numbers that are sufficient to satisfy our needs would materially and adversely affect our business.
We have experienced significant management changes which could increase our control risks and have a material adverse effect on our ability to do business and our results of operations.
Since 2019, we have had a number of changes in our senior management, including multiple changes in our Chief Financial Officer. The magnitude of these past and potential changes and the short time interval in which they have occurred or may occur, particularly during a time of economic or financial crisis, add to the risks of control failures, including a failure in the effective operation of our internal control over financial reporting or our disclosure controls and procedures. Control failures could result in material adverse effects on our financial condition and results of operations. It may take time for the new management team to become sufficiently familiar with our business and each other to effectively develop and implement our business strategies. The turnover of key management positions could further harm our financial performance and results of operations. Management attention may be diverted from regular business concerns by reorganizations.
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We and our independent public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025. If we fail to remediate the material weaknesses, we may be unable to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of our shares may be adversely affected.
To implement Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or SOX 404, the SEC adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K. A report of our management is included under Item 9A of this annual report. In addition, as we became an “accelerated filer” in 2023, our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Our management has identified the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting: (i) we did not have appropriate policies and procedures in place to evaluate the proper accounting and disclosures of key documents and agreements, and (ii) we do not have sufficient and skilled accounting personnel with an appropriate level of technical accounting knowledge and experience in the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. Our management has identified the following material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting: we did not have appropriate policies and procedures in place to evaluate the proper accounting and disclosures of key documents and agreements, and there was insufficient accounting personnel with an appropriate level of technical accounting knowledge and experience in the application of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or US GAAP, commensurate with our financial reporting requirements. A “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We have taken measures and plan to continue to take measures to remedy the material weaknesses. We have regularly offered our financial personnel trainings on internal control and risk management, and we have regularly provided trainings to our financial personnel on U.S. GAAP accounting guidelines. However, the implementation of these measures may not fully address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Our failure to address any control deficiency could result in inaccuracies in our financial statements and could also impair our ability to comply with applicable financial reporting requirements and related regulatory filings on a timely basis. Moreover, effective internal control over financial reporting is important to prevent fraud. As a result, our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as the trading price of our shares, may be adversely affected.
Geopolitical instability, including the armed conflict in the Middle East and related military actions involving Iran, could disrupt global supply chains, increase costs, and adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our operations and the markets we serve are subject to risks arising from geopolitical instability. Recent developments, including military actions involving Iran and the broader armed conflict in the Middle East, have heightened global uncertainty and could adversely impact our business in several ways.
Armed conflict in the Middle East may disrupt global shipping routes, particularly through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, leading to delays and increased costs for the transportation of our products and raw materials. Additionally, the imposition or expansion of international sanctions, export controls, or trade restrictions in connection with geopolitical conflicts could limit our ability to transact with certain customers, suppliers, or markets, or could otherwise impair our international operations.
We currently sell our products and serve customers across Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Africa. The breadth of our international operations exposes us to the direct and indirect effects of regional conflicts, including disruptions to the operations or financial condition of our customers and supply chain partners. In particular, any expansion of the Middle East conflict that impacts trade routes serving the African or South Asian markets, where we are actively expanding our presence, could be particularly disruptive to our business. We cannot predict the duration or escalation of these or other geopolitical conflicts, and any such conflicts could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our business has been and may continue to be adversely affected by the outbreaks of viruses or other health epidemics and outbreaks.
Our business could be materially and adversely affected by the outbreak of a widespread health epidemic, such as COVID-19, avian flu or African swine flu. For instance, in response to COVID-19 China imposed widespread lockdowns, closure of workplaces and restrictions on mobility and travel to contain the spread of the virus. In response, China imposed widespread lockdowns, closure of workplaces and restrictions on mobility and travel to contain the spread of the virus. In early 2022, a wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant emerged in Shanghai, and a series of restrictions and quarantines were implemented in Shanghai and other regions to contain the spread. A wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant emerged in Shanghai in early 2022, and a series of restrictions and quarantines were implemented to contain the spread in Shanghai and other regions. Our manufacturing facilities did not produce at full capacity when restrictive measures were in force for the areas where our manufacturing operations were located during 2022. Especially, our manufacturing operations, among others, cannot be conducted remotely and often require on-site access to materials and equipment.
The possible health epidemics and outbreaks could have a material adverse impact on our or our customers’ business operations including reduction or suspension of operations in China, the U.S. or certain parts of the world. Given the general slowdown in economic conditions globally, volatility in the capital markets as well as the general negative impact of the health concerns arising from outbreaks of viruses or other illnesses on the global market, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain the growth rate we have experienced or projected.
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RISKS RELATED TO COMMON STOCK
Numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may cause the market price of common stock to fluctuate significantly.
There are numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, may cause the market price of common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. to fluctuate significantly. These factors include:
| ● | our earnings releases, actual or anticipated changes in our earnings, fluctuations in our operating results or our failure to meet the expectations of financial market analysts and investors; |
| ● | changes in financial estimates by us or by any securities analysts who might cover the common stock; |
| ● | speculation about our business in the press or the investment community; |
| ● | significant developments relating to our relationships with our customers or suppliers; |
| ● | stock market price and volume fluctuations of other publicly traded companies and, in particular, those that are in our industries; |
| ● | customer demand for our products; |
| ● | investor perceptions of our industry in general and our company in particular; |
| ● | the operating and stock performance of comparable companies; |
| ● | general economic conditions and trends; |
| ● | major catastrophic events; |
| ● | announcements by us or our competitors of new products, significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships or divestitures; |
| ● | changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretation or principles; |
| ● | loss of external funding sources; |
| ● | sales of our shares, including sales by our directors, officers or significant shareholders; and |
| ● | additions or departures of key personnel. |
In the past, shareholders of a public company often brought securities class action suits against the company following periods of instability in the market price of that company’s securities. If we were involved in a class action suit, it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations, which could harm our results of operations and require us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit. Any such class action suit, whether or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Techniques employed by short sellers may drive down the market price of the common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc.
Short selling is the practice of selling securities that the seller does not own but rather has borrowed from a third party with the intention of buying identical securities back at a later date to return to the lender. The short seller hopes to profit from a decline in the value of the securities between the sale of the borrowed securities and the purchase of the replacement shares, as the short seller expects to pay less in that purchase than it received in the sale. As it is in the short seller’s interest for the price of the security to decline, many short sellers publish, or arrange for the publication of, negative opinions regarding the relevant issuer and its business prospects in order to create negative market momentum and generate profits for themselves after selling a security short. These short attacks have, in the past, led to selling of shares in the market.
Public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China have been the subject of short selling. Much of the scrutiny and negative publicity has centered on allegations of a lack of effective internal control over financial reporting resulting in financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result, a number of targets of such efforts are now conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations and, in the interim, are subject to shareholder lawsuits and/or SEC enforcement actions.
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We were the subject of certain unfavorable allegations. Although we believe such allegations are untrue, inaccurate or inflated, we have expended resources to investigate such allegations and defend ourselves and we may need to expend more resources in connection with these or other allegations in the future, which could be costly and time-consuming and could distract our management from growing our business. The allegations against us may severely impact our stock price and disrupt our business operations. Any investment in the common stock of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. could be greatly reduced or even rendered worthless due to such allegations.
If we fail to comply with the continued listing requirements of Nasdaq, we would face possible delisting, which would result in a limited public market for shares of CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. and make obtaining future debt or equity financing more difficult for us.
CBAK Energy Technology, Inc.’s common stock is traded and listed on the Nasdaq under the symbol “CBAT”, which was changed from “CBAK” on November 30, 2018. The common stock may be delisted if we fail to maintain certain Nasdaq listing requirements.’s common stock is traded and listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market under the symbol “CBAT”, which was changed from “CBAK” on November 30, 2018. The common stock may be delisted if we fail to maintain certain NASDAQ listing requirements.
On October 1, 2025, we received notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq indicating that, for the preceding 30 consecutive business days, the bid price for the common stock had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share and as a result, CBAK Energy Technology, Inc. was no longer in compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). was no longer in compliance with the NASDAQ Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). Subsequently, on March 17, 2026, the Company received a notification letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of Nasdaq stating that the Company had regained compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on Nasdaq. Nasdaq determined that, from February 17, 2026 to March 16, 2026, the closing bid price of the Company’s common stock had been at $1.00 per share or greater. Accordingly, the Company has regained compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) and the matter is now closed.
Although we have recently regained compliance with Nasdaq’s minimum bid price requirement, we cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain such compliance or continue to comply with other requirements for continued listing on the Nasdaq in the future. If the common stock loses its status on the Nasdaq, the common stock would likely trade in the over-the-counter market. If the common stock loses its status on the NASDAQ Capital Market, the common stock would likely trade in the over-the-counter market. If our shares were to trade on the over-the-counter market, selling the common stock could be more difficult because smaller quantities of shares would likely be bought and sold, transactions could be delayed, and security analysts’ coverage of us may be reduced. In addition, in the event the common stock is delisted, broker-dealers have certain regulatory burdens imposed upon them, which may discourage broker-dealers from effecting transactions in the common stock, further limiting the liquidity of the common stock. These factors could result in lower prices and larger spreads in the bid and ask prices for the common stock. Such delisting from the Nasdaq and continued or further declines in our share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing and could significantly increase the ownership dilution to shareholders caused by our issuing equity in financing or other transactions. Such delisting from the NASDAQ Capital Market and continued or further declines in our share price could also greatly impair our ability to raise additional necessary capital through equity or debt financing and could significantly increase the ownership dilution to shareholders caused by our issuing equity in financing or other transactions.
If we become directly subject to the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity involving U.S.-listed Chinese companies, we may have to expend significant resources to investigate and resolve the matter which could harm our business operations, stock price and reputation and could result in a loss of your investment in our stock, especially if such matter cannot be addressed and resolved favorably.
U.S. public companies that have substantially all of their operations in China, particularly companies like us which have completed so-called reverse merger transactions, have been the subject of intense scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity by investors, financial commentators and regulatory agencies, such as the SEC. Much of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity has centered around financial and accounting irregularities and mistakes, a lack of effective internal controls over financial accounting, inadequate corporate governance policies or a lack of adherence thereto and, in many cases, allegations of fraud. As a result of the scrutiny, criticism and negative publicity, the publicly traded stock of many U.S. listed Chinese companies has sharply decreased in value and, in some cases, has become virtually worthless. Many of these companies have also been subject to shareholder lawsuits and SEC enforcement actions, and have been conducting internal and external investigations into the allegations. If we become the subject of any unfavorable allegations, whether such allegations are proven to be true or untrue, we will have to expend significant resources to investigate such allegations and/or defend our company. This situation will be costly and time consuming and distract our management from growing our company. If such allegations are not proven to be groundless, our company and business operations will be severely and your investment in our stock could be rendered worthless.
The disclosures in our reports and other filings with the SEC and our other public pronouncements are not subject to the scrutiny of any regulatory bodies in the PRC. Accordingly, our public disclosure should be reviewed in light of the fact that no governmental agency that is located in China where substantially all of our operations and business are located have conducted any due diligence on our operations or reviewed or cleared any of our disclosures.
We are regulated by the SEC and our reports and other filings with the SEC are subject to SEC review in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act. Unlike public reporting companies whose operations are located primarily in the United States, however, substantially all of our operations are located in China. Since substantially all of our operations and business take place in China, it may be more difficult for the Staff of the SEC to overcome the geographic and cultural obstacles that are present when reviewing our disclosures. These same obstacles are not present for similar companies whose operations or business take place entirely or primarily in the United States. Furthermore, our SEC reports and other disclosures and public pronouncements are not subject to the review or scrutiny of any PRC regulatory authority. For example, the disclosure in our SEC reports and other filings are not subject to the review of China Securities Regulatory Commission, a PRC regulator that is tasked with oversight of the capital markets in China. Accordingly, you should review our SEC reports, filings and our other public pronouncements with the understanding that no local regulator has done any due diligence on our company and with the understanding that none of our SEC reports, other filings or any of our other public pronouncements has been reviewed or otherwise been scrutinized by any local regulator.
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GENERAL RISK FACTORS
We may be exposed to infringement or misappropriation claims by third parties, which, if determined adversely to us, could cause our loss of significant rights and inability to continue providing our existing product offerings.
Our success also depends largely on our ability to use and develop our technology and know-how without infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties. The validity and scope of claims relating to lithium-ion battery technology patents involve complex scientific, legal and factual questions and analysis and, therefore, may be highly expensive and time-consuming. If there is a successful claim of infringement against us, we may be required to pay substantial damages to the party claiming infringement, develop non-infringing technologies or enter into royalty or license agreements that may not be available on acceptable terms, if at all. Our failure to develop non-infringing technologies or license the proprietary rights on a timely basis would harm our business. Protracted litigation could result in our customers, or potential customers, deferring or limiting their purchase or use of our products until resolution of such litigation. Parties making the infringement claim may also obtain an injunction that can prevent us from selling our products or using technology that contains the allegedly infringing contents. Any intellectual property litigation could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults, or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties, could adversely affect our current and projected business operations and our financial condition and results of operations.
Actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems. For example, on March 10, 2023, Silicon Valley Bank failed and was taken into receivership by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”); on March 12, 2023, Signature Bank and Silvergate Capital Corp. were each swept into receivership; the following week, a syndicate of U.S. banks infused $30 billion in First Republic Bank; and later that same week, the Swiss Central Bank provided $54 billion in covered loan and short-term liquidity facilities to Credit Suisse Group AG, all in an attempt to reassure depositors and calm fears of a banking contagion. Our ability to effectively run our business could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy and in the financial services industry.
Various macroeconomic factors could adversely affect our business, including fears concerning the banking sector, changes in inflation, interest rates and overall economic conditions and uncertainties. A severe or prolonged economic downturn could result in a variety of risks, including our ability to raise additional funding on a timely basis or on acceptable terms. A weak or declining economy could also impact third parties upon whom we depend to run our business. Increasing concerns over bank failures and bailouts and their potential broader effects and potential systemic risk on the global banking sector generally and its participants may adversely affect our access to capital and our business and operations more generally.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
We have taken a multifaceted approach to addressing cybersecurity risks, including leadership from our senior management and Board of Directors, direct supervision and operational execution from our information technology (“IT”) department and active involvement of employees.
The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is responsible for developing and implementing our information security measures and overseeing our IT department. The Company has established a physical firewall, with physical gateways that filter suspicious files and data flows entering and exiting our Company’s network. In addition, the computers in our R&D department are equipped with behavior control software, which makes emails and files sent from the R&D computers in an encrypted state and inaccessible without specific authorization from designated supervisors.
The Company’s IT department is directly responsible for cybersecurity matters and routinely reports to the senior management. In the event of a cybersecurity incident, the IT department will initially report to the Company’s senior management, including our Chief Executive Officer. If the incident is assessed as a material threat or incident to our information systems, our senior management will escalate the issue to the Board of Directors. Given that our core operations are in manufacturing and involve limited network-related activities, we believe that our existing cybersecurity measures are adequate. The Company’s Board of Directors and senior management are committed to continuously evaluating and upgrading our cybersecurity prevention, detection, and mitigation strategies in line with the evolution of our business needs and cybersecurity risks.
In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025,
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