6-K

UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TORULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of November 2021

Commission File Number: 001-36885

TANTECH HOLDINGS LTD

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

c/oZhejiang Forest Bamboo Technology Co., Ltd.

No.10 Cen Shan Road, Shuige Industrial Zone

LishuiCity, Zhejiang Province 323000

+86-578-226-2305

(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.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):   ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):   ¨

Explanatory Note:

The Registrant is filing this Report on Form 6-K to announce that on November 13, 2021, it established a new subsidiary Zhejiang Shangchi Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. (“Shangchi Medical Equipment”). Shangchi Medical Equipment is wholly controlled by Shangchi (Zhejiang) Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd., another subsidiary of the Registrant. Shangchi Medical Equipment’s business scope includes but not limited to intelligent vehicle equipment manufacturing, intelligent vehicle equipment sales. Shangchi Medical Equipment will focus on special medical vehicles business in the future.

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.