Robin Zeng, founder and chair of China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), plans to accompany President Xi Jinping to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit this week, aiming to deepen collaboration with South Korea’s electric vehicle sector. Zeng, who established CATL in 2011 after spinning off EV battery operations from Amperex Technology Limited, will engage with top executives from major Korean conglomerates.
Since co-founding Amperex in 1999 and leading its integration into TDK Corporation, Zeng has overseen CATL’s rapid ascent to the top of the global EV battery market. Despite a recent slowdown in electric vehicle demand and the impact of US tariffs on Chinese battery imports, CATL maintained a commanding market share in the first half of the year. According to data from Seoul-based SNE Research, global battery installations in new electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles totaled 590.7 gigawatt-hours, with CATL accounting for approximately 40 percent, or 221.4 gigawatt-hours.
During his visit to Seoul, Zeng is expected to meet with the heads of Hyundai Motor Group, SK Group and LG Group to explore long-term supply agreements and to discuss sourcing advanced battery materials and equipment. Industry observers suggest that these talks will emphasize expanding supply partnerships outside North America, where US tariffs have complicated joint ventures.
CATL secured a major contract in July to supply nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) batteries for Kia’s EV5 model and already provides lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for Hyundai’s Kona Electric as well as Kia’s Niro and Ray EVs. Insiders say Zeng’s delegation may seek to broaden cooperation with Hyundai Motor Group in emerging markets such as the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia, where cost-competitive Chinese battery cells are in demand.
Additionally, CATL is reportedly interested in procuring NCM battery materials and production equipment from Korean specialists. Precise processing of NCM cathode materials—covering steps like automated feeding, heat treatment and seamless integration—remains an area where South Korean firms excel. Partnering with these experts could help CATL enhance product consistency and reduce defect rates across its global manufacturing network.
Source: The Korea Herald
