#Germany #Munich #CATL #Ellen MacArthur #IAA 2025

CATL Hosts Global Industry Leaders at the Forum on Circularity

On September 11, 2025, CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited) showcased its commitment to sustainability by supporting the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) during IAA 2025. The company organized a high-level forum that brought together prominent figures from the automotive and battery manufacturing sectors, including executives from BASF, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and both the European and Global Battery Alliances. The event emphasized the importance of achieving circularity in the entire battery value chain.

The IAA 2025, one of the largest auto shows globally, served as a backdrop for discussions centered on circularity as an essential theme for the industry. This reflects the growing acknowledgment that sustainable mobility hinges on closing the loop regarding battery design, production, reuse, second-life applications, and recycling. During the forum, CATL presented findings from its Global Energy Circularity Commitment (GECC) initiative, sharing practical lessons learned from its operations and global partnerships.

Building for Circularity

An initial discussion focused on integrating circularity from the early stages of battery development, covering aspects from design and manufacturing to related infrastructure. Forum participants highlighted the critical need for digital traceability, material transparency, and collaborative industrial practices as key components of a genuinely circular battery ecosystem. Jiang Li, CATL's Vice President and Secretary of the Board, addressed the challenges and opportunities ahead, stating, "For circularity to become a large-scale reality, the industry needs clear standards and harmonized political and financial frameworks. Together with partners, we are working to build an ecosystem that will make batteries more resilient, safer, and sustainable for decades to come."

Daniel Schönfelder, President of Battery Materials at BASF, discussed the significance of sustainable cathode materials and industrial collaboration. Meanwhile, Jens Rubi from Mercedes-Benz stressed the importance of incorporating circularity into the strategies of equipment manufacturers, and Oliver Ganser from BMW spoke about leveraging Catena-X, BMW's inter-industry data exchange platform, to ensure supply chain transparency and traceability. All speakers underscored that creating a circular battery ecosystem requires coordinated action among manufacturers, suppliers, and technology partners, making collaboration at every stage of the value chain essential to scaling and implementing circularity effectively.

Financing and Policy for Circular Batteries

The second panel tackled the necessary levers to expand circularity in the global battery ecosystem, focusing on policy frameworks, financing mechanisms, and standardized approaches. Participants explored how harmonizing regulations, building investor trust, and utilizing instruments like battery passports can create transparent and comparable measures across countries, facilitating concrete and large-scale circular practices. EMF’s Emily Nerenheim underscored the urgency for coordinated action, saying, "We are talking a lot about collaboration today. I would say the word is consolidation. It is not just about working together; it is about deciding that it needs to be done."

Inga Petersen, Executive Director and Board Member of the Global Battery Alliance, also emphasized the necessity of a harmonized global approach to circularity. She cautioned against the fragmentation risk that could arise from heavy compliance burdens, which might leave emerging markets unable to meet sustainability and recycling standards. "We must create common minimum standards for batteries to ensure they meet sustainability criteria and can access capital," she stated.

Other participants shared insights on related topics; Zoe Zhang, a critical minerals analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, provided an overview of supply chain risks and the importance of transparent data for investors. Amy Marshall, CEO of Xynteo, discussed multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for transforming systems to enable circularity.

Overall, the forum marked the first official meeting of partners under the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's 'Critical Minerals' program, launched in June. CATL has set an ambitious goal that by 2045, up to 50% of new battery production could be decoupled from virgin raw materials. Looking forward, CATL will continue collaborating with the EMF and its industrial partners on pilot projects and solutions to advance a sustainable and equitable circular battery ecosystem.