6-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of June 2025

Commission File Number: 001-36885

TANTECH HOLDINGS LTD

| (Translation of registrant’s name into English) |

No. 10 Cen Shan Road, Shuige Industrial Zone

Lishui City, Zhejiang Province

People’s Republic of China 323000

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F ☒     Form 40-F ☐

Explanatory Note:

On May 29, 2025, Mr. Wangfeng Yan tendered his resignation as the Chief Executive Officer of Tantech Holdings Ltd (the “Company”) due to personal reasons. Mr. Yan’s resignation was not the result of any disagreements with the Company, its management or the Board.

Effective May 29, 2025, the Board has appointed Mr. Zheyuan Liu to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

Mr. Zheyuan Liu has served as a manager and the sole director of Lishui Smart New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd. since February 2018. Mr. Liu has also served as a manager and the sole director of Zhejiang Shangnilai Technology Co., Ltd. since January 2024. From December 2016 to April 2017, he served as a site surveyor for Sunshine Insurance Group Co Ltd. Mr. Liu graduated from Shandong University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in automotive engineering.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibits No.	Description

| 10.1 | Employment Agreement with Zheyuan Liu dated May 29, 2025 |

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	Tantech Holdings Ltd
Date: June 3, 2025	By:	/s/ Weilin Zhang

| | | Weilin Zhang |

| | | Chief Financial Officer |

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tanh_ex101.htm EXHIBIT 10.1

Employment Agreement

**Party A:**Tantech Holdings Ltd.

Party B: Zheyuan LIU, ID NO.: [  ]

According to the relevant provisions of the "Contract Law of the People's Republic of China", both parties A and B reached an agreement on the employment of Party B as follows.

1. Employment

Party A hires Party B as the company's CEO.

2. The responsibilities of Party B:

(1) Fully comprehend the resolutions of the board of directors, monitor the implementation process of the resolutions, correct problems in time, and ensure the implementation of the resolutions;

(2) Explore market opportunities, preside over the formulation of the company's business objectives and management plans, lead the team to implement, and achieve rapid growth of the group's business and investment returns;

(3) Responsible for operating results, organize the implementation of the financial budget plan and profit distribution approved by the board of directors;

(4) Establish the organization system and business system of the company, be responsible for the construction of the senior management team, select middle and senior management personnel, and review the setting plan and basic management system of the internal management organization; Responsible for handling major emergencies, reporting to the chairman in time, and handling other important matters authorized by the chairman;

(5) Fully preside over the management work of the company, implement the annual performance targets and business development strategic plans and overall marketing planning plans issued by the board of directors, and realize the business management goals;

(6) Continuously optimize the human resources allocation of the company and continuously improve the overall organizational capabilities of the company; leaders create an enterprise cultural atmosphere, improve the enterprise identification system, and shape and strengthen the group company values.

3. Term

The employment period is from June 1, 2025 to June 1, 2026. If the two parties have not proposed to renew the contract before the expiration of the agreement, the agreement shall be deemed to be automatically terminated on the expiration date.

4. Working methods

Party B works full-time in Party A, the working hours refer to Party B's personnel system; the place of work is Lishui and Hongzhou; Party B can no longer concurrently serve as CEO of other listed companies outside the Forsen system.

5. Compensation and Payment:

Compensation:  RMB 108,000 per year.

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The payment method: RMB 9,000 per month

Party B’s travel expenses incurred for Party A’s work are reported and reimbursed according to the invoice.

6. Confidentiality

In view of the nature of Party B’s work, Party B’s confidentiality obligations are set out in the Confidentiality Agreement signed by both parties.

7. Settlement of disputes

This agreement becomes effective after the official seal is signed by both parties. Disputes arising from the performance of this agreement will be resolved through consultation between the two parties.

8. This agreement is made in duplicate, with the same legal effect, one for each party.

Party A (Stamp):  Tantech Holdings Ltd	Party B (Signature): Zheyuan LIU

Date: May 29, 2025

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