December 22, 2022: Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) said on December 21 that it started serial production of lithium ion battery cells at its plant in Thuringia, Germany – the group’s first plant outside of China.
The group’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Thuringia subsidiary said that the installation and commissioning of the remaining lines “is in full swing” towards ramping up production at the site.
CATL said the cells have passed all tests required of the Chinese group’s products around the world.
CATL’s European president Matthias Zentgraf said: “The start of production proves that we have fulfilled our promise to our customers as a reliable partner in the industry and we remain committed to the e-mobility transition in Europe. “
Achieving full production is the group’s top priority for the coming year, Zentgraf said.
The state government of Thuringia issued a permit for an initial production capacity of 8GWh per year in April. The construction of the site modules began in the third quarter of 2021.
CATL said it is investing a total of up to €1.8 billion (.9 billion) to achieve a final production capacity of 14GWh per year in Germany.
Auto giant BMW is one of CATL’s customers. The Thuringia plant, along with another facility in China, will each supply BMW with up to 20GWh per year of new cylindrical battery cells, with a standard diameter of 46 millimeters.
Photo: The signing of the investment agreement in July 2018 between CATL and the state government of Thuringia
