CATL CEO Robin Zeng Discusses Global Carbon Neutrality and Collaborative Strategies

In a significant address at the recent Belt and Road Initiative conference, Dr. Robin Zeng, the Chairman and CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), articulated a comprehensive vision for driving a global transition towards achieving zero carbon emissions. His remarks underscored the imperative of deepening collaborations across various sectors to foster mutual benefits and support the burgeoning economies in transitioning towards sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Zeng highlighted CATL's readiness to engage in profound industrial partnerships and share its cutting-edge technologies. Emphasizing the importance of cooperation, he stated, "There are various ways we can collaborate. CATL is open to building factories together, establishing joint ventures, and entering into licensing agreements to expedite the global energy transformation." This cooperative spirit forms the cornerstone of CATL's strategy, focusing on developing localized ecosystems and empowering global partners on their carbon neutrality journeys.

With a keen eye on the electrification of transport, CATL has identified substantial opportunities within the electric vehicle market, specifically noting the rapid growth in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The company is actively pursuing partnerships in the region, including a collaboration with Arun Plus in Thailand to supply batteries and support the nation in becoming a Southeast Asian electric vehicle hub. Furthermore, CATL aims to foster a complete industrial value chain development from mining to recycling, tailoring the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia.

Beyond transportation, CATL's comprehensive offering in 'zero carbon emission technology' features innovative energy storage systems critical for unlocking the full potential of renewable energy sources. The company's grid-shaped storage solutions enable the formation of independent microgrids, which are essential for remote areas and industrial sites. A notable instance of this technology is CATL's 19 GWh energy storage system, which powers Masdar's green data center, recognized for its artificial intelligence capabilities and zero carbon emissions in the United Arab Emirates.

To further bolster battery recycling and circular economy efforts, CATL has committed to launching 1,000 Choco-Swap stations by 2025, expanding its reach to special administrative regions like Hong Kong and Macau, with the first station in Hong Kong currently under construction. In the medium term, CATL plans to collaborate with automotive partners to establish 10,000 such stations. Additionally, CATL's advanced battery recycling technology, which processed 130,000 tons of used batteries last year, reflects its strong dedication to the circular economy initiative.

Dr. Zeng also addressed the concept of 'industrial decarbonization,' which he defined as transforming traditional, energy-intensive industries through new energy solutions, such as hydrometallurgy to reduce carbon emissions. This approach aims to create new economic growth incentives and pathways for green transformation, particularly relevant for countries striving for industry modernization and sustainable development.

CATL's strategy further involves supporting a global manufacturing network to ensure market supply and development worldwide. One notable initiative includes significant investments alongside Stellantis in European manufacturing, which encompasses the largest battery plant in Hungary and a new facility in Spain. These ventures are designed to integrate CATL deeply into regional chains of the new energy industry, enhancing local value and technological advancement.

With over 43,000 patents and an annual R&D investment of approximately 20 billion yuan, CATL continues to innovate in battery materials, chemical systems, and other areas of expertise. In 2024, CATL ranked second among all Chinese companies for overseas patent applications, underscoring its status as a leader in innovation and technology.

Dr. Zeng concluded, saying, "As a global leader in innovation and technology, CATL is willing to collaborate closely with business and scientific communities in all international partner countries. We are committed to contributing – for the sake of new energy for humanity, for the sustainable development of mankind, and for building a community with a shared future for humanity!"

Recently, CATL's listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange further demonstrates its deeper integration into global capital markets, providing an essential platform to bolster its expanding production capacity, supply networks, and talent pools, thereby facilitating more diversified cooperation with international partners towards a zero-emission future. The company aims for its factories to achieve carbon neutrality this year and has pledged to attain carbon neutrality across its entire battery supply chain by 2035.