Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance advises Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt on its US$582.5 million Swiss GDR offering and listing

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance has advised lithium-ion batteries component manufacturer Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd (Zhejiang Huayou) on its global depository receipts (GDR) offering and listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange, via the China-Europe Stock Connect scheme. The GDR offering is expected to raise gross proceeds of approximately US$582.5 million.

Partner Jean Thio led the cross-border team in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London and Washington, DC advising on the transaction:

• Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong: Counsel Lorna Lyu and Yuanjing Chen, senior associates Qingyu Wu and Xuemei Wang, associates Alex Feng, Jason Ng and Sarah Ku, trainee Siber Li, legal analysts Bryan Lu and Menglin Liang
• London: Partners Chris Roe and Simon Thomas, and senior associate Anjaneya Das advised on English law primarily in connection with the depositary arrangements.
• Washington, DC: Counsel Jacqueline Landells advised on the US regulatory aspect of the transaction.

Partner Jean Thio said, "We are delighted to continue to assist companies in the energy transition sector to raise capital overseas."

Zhejiang Huayou specialises in the research, development and manufacturing of new energy lithium-ion battery materials, and cobalt-nickel new materials.

The firm is the leading legal adviser on the equity capital markets transactions of key companies involved in the energy transition, in particular China's fast-growing EV sector. This includes advising on Leapmotor's US$807 million Hong Kong IPO, the Swiss GDR listings of Gem Co., Ltd (green technology developer in waste battery recycling), Gotion High Tech Co., Ltd (lithium-ion batteries manufacturer) and Ningbo Shanshan Co., Ltd (manufacturer and seller of lithium-ion anode materials and polarisers), and most recently Zhejiang Hangke Technology (provider of lithium-ion cell post-processing systems).