However, this condition may seem difficult to refuse in the eyes of his peers, but for Lu Zhou, it is a bit tasteless.
But in fact, it doesn’t matter. This kind of thing is not an aircraft, cannon, or atomic bomb. The specific production technology may be regarded as a trade secret by the company, but I haven’t heard of anyone hiding the theoretical stuff after researching it. , not to mention that what was discussed at the meeting could not even be discussed as a result.
Obviously, doing research is not as good as doing infrastructure to generate money.
Even if it is just a few quotations, they will be highlighted and interpreted.
What Carrodite said is true. Indeed, no one can offer such conditions.
Leaving aside other things for the time being, some people agreed with Lu Zhou's optimism about the research and development direction of hollow carbon balls, but others also criticized him.
"My dear friend, it's nice to see you again. How have you been?"
When Carrodite heard this, he immediately said happily: "What a coincidence. We happen to be very interested in research related to lithium-sulfur batteries. Do you need investment?"
The article gave an overview of the seminar on lithium-sulfur batteries. It did not use any gimmicky titles or text, but simply quoted the professors’ views on lithium-sulfur batteries.
Because of this series of good news, Carrodite's status on the board of directors has naturally increased.
What he said was correct, but it was not his responsibility to let the words out.
There is nothing to hide about something that has been made public. Lu Zhou said casually: "Well, the shuttle effect in lithium-sulfur batteries is a very interesting proposition. I do have plans in this area recently."
If it was just to pursue benefits, why didn't he invest in real estate
"That's right. I heard that you are currently researching lithium-sulfur batteries?"
And those who are qualified to take notes at that kind of meeting may be reporters from the central media. After all, they are no longer interested in making a fortune in silence.
"Not bad." After shaking hands with Mr. Carrodite, Lu Zhou gave him a strange look and asked in a casual tone, "What kind of wind brought you here?"
In response to Lu Zhou's inquiry, Carrodite smiled heartily.
With a bright smile on his face, Carodit continued, "One hundred million US dollars in licensing fees and advance payments have been received. According to the agreement between us, half of these trophies belong to you. I don't know How do you want us to pay you this amount?"
If he hadn't fought a good battle on the lithium anode material patent case, even as the CEO of Umicore, he would never have dared to put such a risky proposal on the board of directors' meeting table.
"BASF Group and Nichia paid US$50 million and US$70 million in patent licensing fees for lithium anode materials respectively, in exchange for two to three years of production authorization for the global market except the Chinese market. At the same time, they produce every For one ton of negative electrode material containing modified PDMS film, you have to pay us US$1,500.”
Shaking his head, Lu Zhou said, "I will not consider borrowing chips from other gamblers for the time being before I lose all my chips."
As the instruments pass through customs one after another, the research institute here will soon start experiments, and the corresponding research funds must also keep up.
But what he didn't expect was that just the second week after the seminar, he saw his name in the news, and he was also put together with lithium-sulfur batteries and hollow carbon spheres.
"Do you still remember our agreement? Thanks to you, we have been winning continuously in the lithium anode material market. I am here to visit you mainly to talk to you about the spoils of war."
Although he borrowed Umicore's transportation channel when purchasing this batch of equipment, even if it was delivered, the group's CEO would not come in person.
After reading the report, Lu Zhou was quite surprised.
Especially Lu Zhou's own views have a particularly obvious impact.
Whether it is the securities market or the materials market, Umicore is in great shape. BASF Group, in particular, was under pressure from the irreplaceability of lithium battery anode materials, so much so that they had to give up their lawsuit against Umicore in conjunction with the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States over the issue of ternary battery patents.
But what Lu Zhou didn't expect was that not only the experimental equipment but also Umicore's CEO, Mr. Carlo Dete, arrived at the Jinda Laboratory Building.
The experiments at the Sarote Institute are proceeding step by step. These days, Lu Zhou has been dealing with matters at the Jinling Institute of Computational Materials and has not paid attention to anything else.
In fact, Lu Zhou was quite helpless.
Originally, Lu Zhou planned to inject capital from Star Technology's account into his domestic account, but now he obviously doesn't need to go to such trouble.
In the second week after Qian Zhongming and Liu Bo went to Europe, the first batch of experimental equipment was in place.
Lu Zhou smiled and said in a relaxed tone: "From a business point of view, this is indeed not a rational investment, but I am not a businessman, and our starting points for considering issues are originally different."
Taking ten thousand steps back, he threw a lot of money into it but couldn't make it out, so there was still one last backup option.
However, he won't consider this option until half of the $400 million is spent.
Agreeing voices believe that hollow carbon spheres are a promising direction in carbon-sulfur composite materials. Although they have many black spots, if those problems can be solved, they may indeed become the key to solving the shuttle effect.
Umicore has branches in China, so just let them do it for you. I believe they will be happy to help.
Of course Carrodite would not give up so easily and tried to persuade: "But don't you want to share the risk? I know you are confident, but scientific research is like a gamble. No one can guarantee that their experiments will produce results. We are willing to share 70% of the research cost, and I guarantee that this number will be more than 400 million US dollars! In contrast, we only ask for 50% of the research results. I believe that it is absolutely impossible for anyone to offer more favorable conditions than us."
Of course, the critical voices were only a small minority and would not develop enough to attract his attention. And compared to other people's evaluations of him, there are things waiting for him that are more worthy of him.
If it weren't for the fact that Lu Zhou was a man, he swore that he would definitely fall in love with her uncontrollably.
Critics believe that Lu Zhou should not make such remarks publicly before significant results are achieved. It is irresponsible to use one's influence to publicly support an immature technology.
Among them, Lu Zhou is naturally indispensable.
Carlo Dete looked at him with disbelief: "Losing all the chips? God... you are simply crazy. You actually plan to invest all your wealth? That's 400 million US dollars, so don't think about it. ?"
With a look of interest on his face, Lu Zhou asked, "How much does it cost?"
That means spending a lot of points to seek help from the system.
Due to the five-year tax-free policy, the money is directly transferred to the account of Jinling Institute of Computing Materials. You only need to file an account and no additional tax deduction is required.
After showing his sincerity and the spirit of contract, Mr. Carrodite then smiled attentively and told the true purpose of his trip.
Although the experience of system tasks has been expanding, the points awarded for completing each task have never changed much. From this point, it is not difficult to see how precious those points are.
In order to enter this field, their old rivals BASF Group and Nichia Chemicals had to pay a high "entry fee."
Although he expected that Carrodite would ask this question and was ready to refuse, Lu Zhou couldn't help but tease: "Do you think I still need to invest?"
Recently, the market has been extremely sensitive to the word new energy. A slight disturbance can lead to a strong wind.
Just as Lu Zhou expected, Carrodite readily agreed.
"No problem, I will handle this matter according to your request!"
The real reason why he was so diligent was naturally because of another thing.
After all, it was he who pushed open the door to lithium batteries.
After thinking for a moment, Lu Zhou said: "After paying the balance to the instrument manufacturer, the remaining part can be directly converted into RMB according to the current exchange rate and transferred to my domestic account."
I don’t know who leaked the news, and didn’t even inform him.
Relying on the patent of modified PDMS materials, Umicore's recent performance in overseas markets is as proud as the expression on his face.
Unless he encounters a problem that cannot be solved, he still plans to solve it with his own strength.
Of course, this is just an exaggerated metaphor to show the excitement in his heart.
Although he came to China this time as a gift, the money alone was not enough to make him make a special trip to China, nor was it enough to put such a bright smile on his face.
After getting off the special car at the entrance of the experimental building of Jinling University, this Belgian with a proud face extended his right hand enthusiastically from a distance and strode forward to greet him.