Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) has begun assembling battery modules in a newly constructed facility at its Debrecen site in eastern Hungary. The assembly line went into operation on May 6 after the company secured all required permits, marking a key milestone in CATL’s local expansion.
Construction of the plant’s first cell factory within the Southern Industrial Park is complete, and all Industry 4.0 automation equipment has been installed. Once final approvals for cell production are obtained, CATL will initiate test manufacturing of battery cells in Debrecen.
Since autumn 2024, module assembly has been running on two production lines in a leased hall, where CATL has produced 240,000 modules—enough to equip approximately 60,000 electric vehicles in Europe. The new dedicated building adjacent to the cell factory now houses an assembly line with an annual production capacity of 5 GWh, further boosting throughput at the Debrecen site.
The expansion responds to growing demand in Europe for high-performance, safe, and long-life electric vehicle batteries. CATL has continuously adapted its product portfolio to meet regional requirements, emphasizing innovation and durability in its energy storage solutions.
Founded in 2011, CATL is a global leader in battery technology, with a market share exceeding 39 percent of the electric vehicle battery sector in 2025. The company operates 13 production facilities and six research and development centers worldwide, leveraging extensive expertise in factory design, operations, and green manufacturing. Eleven of its plants have achieved carbon-neutral certification, and three have been recognized by the World Economic Forum as part of the Global Lighthouse Network—the only battery-industry sites to receive that distinction.
Looking ahead, CATL plans to apply its experience with Industry 4.0 technologies, sustainable manufacturing, and advanced logistics to optimize operations at the Debrecen plant and support continued growth in the European market.
Source: Hungary Today
