Green Forum • 22 November, 2024 at 7:11 AM
CATL announced that its battery plant in Debrecen, Hungary, will begin production in 2025 as scheduled. Jason Chen, CATL's European operations director, confirmed at a press conference that construction is progressing well, with the production hall structure completed and installations underway.
To meet demand, CATL has already started assembling battery modules in a 60,000-square-meter rented facility near the plant site, using battery cells imported from China.
Debrecen was chosen for its logistics, educational programs, and strategic location. Chen highlighted the plant's closed-system production, which incorporates environmentally friendly measures such as adiabatic coolers and graywater systems, reducing water use by 50%.
CATL plans to be a long-term contributor to the community and the EU's green transition, alongside its German operations. The company has hired 400 employees, aims to reach over 2,000 by the end of 2025, and projects a workforce of 2,600 at full capacity in 2026.
CATL is also exploring sites in Europe for a battery recycling facility and has partnered with universities and vocational schools in Debrecen and Miskolc to support workforce development.