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1. CATL × Nio Power: Deep Battery Swapping Collaboration and Capital Alliance • Strategic Partnership: CATL and Nio formed a deep alliance to build the largest passenger EV battery swapping network in China, with standardized and fully interoperable technology. • Capital Involvement: CATL plans to invest up to RMB 2.5 billion (~USD 346 million) into Nio Power. • Joint Deployment: The agreement includes shared use of Nio’s 3,200+ swap stations. Nio’s new sub-brand Firefly will also join CATL’s “Choco-Swap” battery network. 2. CATL × Sinopec: Massive Battery Swap Infrastructure Expansion • Project Scope: CATL and Sinopec aim to build at least 500 battery swap stations in 2025, with a long-term target of over 10,000. • Strategic Value: By leveraging Sinopec’s nationwide network of gas stations, this cooperation enables battery swapping to become “as convenient as refueling.” 3. Battery Manufacturing Expansion in Europe and the Americas • Toyota: Its North Carolina battery plant (TBMNC) is expected to start operations in 2025 with an annual capacity to power 800,000 vehicles. Plans call for eventual expansion to 30 GWh/year. • Stellantis × CATL JV: Announced a €4.1 billion investment to build an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery gigafactory in Zaragoza, Spain, to support their carbon neutrality roadmap. 4. Battery Tech Startups & Funding Highlights • Pulsetrain GmbH (Germany): Raised €6.1 million in a seed round (March 2025) to develop AI-powered battery management systems (BMS), aimed at extending EV battery life to 18 years. • EVE Energy: Announced plans for a dual A+H share IPO in June 2025 to raise capital for capacity expansion, aiming to become Tesla’s 6th battery cell supplier. Strategic Outlook • Swapping Infrastructure: China is leading the battery swapping movement, with CATL partnering with Nio and Sinopec to build a standardized, nationwide system. • Localized Manufacturing: Global OEMs and battery giants are investing heavily in U.S. and European battery production to secure local supply chains. • Tech Innovation Front: Advances in BMS, LFP technology, and AI-enabled diagnostics are driving startup investment and M&A activity across the battery ecosystem.

Major Mergers, Acquisitions, and Investment Deals in the Global Chemical Industry (2025) 1. ADNOC and OMV Merge Petrochemical Assets to Form Borouge Group International • Deal Size: Approx. USD 60 billion • Details: ADNOC (UAE) and OMV (Austria) announced a merger of their polyolefin businesses to form Borouge Group International, set to become the world's fourth-largest and second-largest (ex-China) polyolefins company. • Additional Info: The deal includes the acquisition of Canada’s Nova Chemicals (valued at ~USD 13.4 billion) and a €1.6 billion cash injection from OMV. • Status: Officially announced in March 2025, pending regulatory approvals. 2. ADNOC’s Acquisition of Covestro • Deal Size: ~€14.7 billion (approx. USD 16.6 billion) • Details: The acquisition of German materials giant Covestro enhances ADNOC's plastics and chemical portfolio. The deal has received unconditional antitrust approvals from the EU, South Africa, and India. • Expected Completion: Second half of 2025. 3. Bain Capital Acquires Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma (Mitsubishi Chemical’s Pharma Arm) • Deal Size: ~JPY 510 billion (approx. USD 3.37 billion) • Reason: Mitsubishi Chemical aims to focus on core sectors such as EV electrification, semiconductors, and food, hence divesting its pharma unit. • Use of Proceeds: Capital increase, debt repayment, and shareholder returns. 4. Johnson Matthey Sells Catalyst Technologies Business to Honeywell • Deal Value: GBP 1.8 billion • Details: The sale includes Johnson Matthey’s clean fuel and sustainable aviation fuel catalyst technologies, representing ~80% of JM’s total market value. 5. Macquarie Looks to Sell DIG Airgas (Korea) for Up to USD 3.6 Billion • Potential Buyers: KKR, Brookfield, Air Liquide, and Air Products • Goal: Expand position in the global industrial gas market. 6. Amcor to Acquire Berry Global in USD 13 Billion Deal • Structure: All-stock transaction • Outcome: A new company, Amcor plc, will be formed, with expected annual synergy savings of USD 650 million.

— A Wake-Up Call for the Chemicals & Materials Industry In the past, we bought market reports to “understand the market.”Now, we buy them to “make the right decisions.” Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, the global landscape has shifted dramatically. For the chemicals and materials industry, the once-predictable rules of the game are being rewritten: 1. Geopolitical Stability Is Gone • The intensifying U.S.–China strategic rivalry is reshaping supply chains and technology flows; • The ongoing Russia–Ukraine war has disrupted critical commodities like energy and fertilizers, creating wild price swings; • Tensions in the Middle East have raised shipping risks and sent insurance and logistics costs soaring. These geopolitical events are no longer “macro headlines” — they are real variables impacting your factory operations, procurement plans, and pricing strategies. 2. Structural Economic Pressure Is Rising • Post-COVID, global inflation and monetary tightening have made industrial recovery fragile; • Major economies like China, the U.S., and the EU are experiencing shifts in consumption patterns, reducing demand for low-value materials while accelerating demand for high-performance alternatives; • The push for carbon neutrality and green transition is intensifying, putting pressure on traditional petrochemical businesses. 3. The Information Gap Is Growing In the past, experience was enough to navigate the market. Not anymore. • Downstream industries are evolving; • New materials and cross-sector technologies are rapidly emerging; • Competitive dynamics are unstable, especially in global trade. In this new reality, an information edge means a profit edge.Insight is becoming a survival tool. The market may be uncertain — but your intelligence shouldn’t be.In an era without a clear playbook, you don’t need just a static data sheet.You need a report that helps you think ahead and act wisely. Feel free to comment or message me — let’s talk about the market intelligence you need. We might just have the right data, resources, or partnerships to support your journey.