CATL starts manufacture of first battery cells outside of China
By Luke Willetts - 8th December 2022
CATL plant in Arnstadt
Germany / China – In December 2022, Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), based in Ningde, Fujian, started series production of its first lithium-ion battery cells outside of China at a new 360,000 square-metre plant in Arnstadt, Thuringia, Germany. CATL aims to localise battery production to aid its European customers. The site began construction as far back as 2018 and now employs over 2,000 staff. Currently, the facility has a capacity of 8 GWh per year and is expected to reach 14 GWh by 2024. Whilst details are sparse, the company has announced plans to build another European factory, this time in Hungary.
