CATL CEO Robin Zeng Outlines Vision for Carbon Neutrality and Global Cooperation
Insights from CATL's Robin Zeng on Carbon Neutrality
During a significant conference focused on scientific and technological exchange as part of the Belt and Road Initiative, Robin Zeng, the CEO of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), delivered an impactful speech outlining the company's dedication to open collaboration and positive global development, especially in emerging economies.
In his presentation, Dr. Zeng articulated CATL's readiness to deepen industrial cooperation by offering advanced technologies that could accelerate international energy transition efforts. He stated, "Collaboration can take multiple forms. CATL is open to building factories, creating joint ventures, and entering technology licensing agreements." This sense of unity and community is pivotal to the company's strategy, focusing on developing local ecosystems and supporting partners worldwide in achieving carbon neutrality.
Highlighting the immense potential associated with transportation electrification, CATL pointed to the rapid expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market in countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The company is actively pursuing partnerships in the region, exemplified by its collaboration with Arun Plus in Thailand regarding battery supplies and supporting national aspirations to become Asia's EV manufacturing hub. They are also jointly developing a complete industrial value chain—from extraction to recycling—focused on establishing an EV ecosystem in Indonesia.
Beyond transportation, CATL's comprehensive solutions for emission-free technology encompass innovative energy storage systems, critical for harnessing renewable energy potential. Their grid storage systems enable the creation of independent microgrids essential in remote areas and industrial facilities. A notable example is a 19 GWh capacity system powering Masdar's "AI + Zero-Carbon" eco-data center in the UAE.
Aiming to promote a circular economy for batteries globally, CATL plans to launch 1,000 Choco-Swap stations by 2025. This initiative will also cover the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong and Macau, with the first Choco-Swap station already under construction in Hong Kong. In the medium term, the company aims to establish 10,000 stations in collaboration with automotive partners. Moreover, CATL's advanced battery recycling technology, which processed 130,000 tons of used devices last year, reflects its strong commitment to a circular economy.
Dr. Zeng also addressed the issue of "decarbonizing industries," illustrating the transformation of traditional energy-intensive sectors through new energy solutions like hydrometallurgy aimed at reducing carbon emissions. This approach, combined with the "industrialization of new energy sources," seeks to create new drivers of economic growth and ecological transformation—particularly critical for nations striving to modernize their industries and achieve sustainable development.
CATL's strategy encompasses a global production network ensuring supply to markets worldwide and expanding international operations, as evidenced by significant investments in European manufacturing facilities, including the largest battery factory in Europe located in Hungary and a new plant in Spain in collaboration with Stellantis. These ventures aim to deeply integrate businesses with regional industrial chains in the new energy sector, enhancing local value and technological progress.
With over 43,000 patents and nearly 20 billion yuan invested annually in battery R&D, CATL continually innovates in battery materials, chemical systems, and more. In 2024, the company ranked second among all Chinese enterprises in terms of foreign patent applications.
As a global leader in innovation and technology, Dr. Zeng concluded, "CATL welcomes collaboration with businesses and academic institutions across all partner nations worldwide. We aim to contribute to the development of new energy sources for humanity, sustainable development, and building a community-oriented future for all!"
The recent public listing of CATL in Hong Kong further affirms its enhanced integration with international capital markets. This creates a crucial foundation for expanding production capacity, supplier networks, and skilled workforce, while allowing for diversified collaboration with international partners toward a carbon-free future. The company aims to achieve emission neutrality in its plants this year, with a goal of realizing it across its entire battery supply chain by 2035.