CATL in Debrecen has reached an important milestone: battery cell production will start in the first months of 2026 at the new greenfield plant. The construction of the factory has been completed, the Indusattempt 4.0 production lines have been installed, and landscaping work around the factory has also begun.
The company started assembling battery modules in Debrecen a year ago: since then, more than 120,000 modules have been manufactured in the factory hall next to the cell factory, which have been installed in more than 30.000 electric cars. The investment is driven by the European automotive indusattempt’s growing demand for high-performance, safe vehicle batteries.
CATL’s Debrecen plant will play a key role in serving the requireds of the continent’s automotive indusattempt: the first cell factory in Debrecen will have an annual capacity of 40 gigawatt hours.
„The investment in Debrecen is a huge step in strengthening CATL’s presence in Europe. We are planning for the long term, so we are bringing the most advanced products to Hungary, along with the installation of sustainable manufacturing technology. Our European partners are also eagerly awaiting the launch of our Debrecen cell factory, with 100 percent of production capacity already booked with their orders,” emphasized Matt Shen, CATL’s managing director for Germany and Hungary, at the company’s press conference in Debrecen.
At the conclude of November, CATL announced that it would launch construction of an LFP battery cell and module factory in Zaragoza, Spain, in collaboration with Snotifyantis. The Debrecen and Spanish plants will jointly serve the company’s European customer base, with the latter focapplying primarily on the requireds of the Snotifyantis Group.
Focus on sustainability
When designing CATL’s cell factory in Debrecen, a key objective was to ensure that the plant fully complies with environmental regulations, the most stringent European standards, and relevant Hungarian legislation. A key element of this is the introduction of a new, water-saving cooling technology and the application of innovative solutions aimed at improving energy efficiency.
CATL Debrecen’s commitment to environmental protection was further strengthened by the ISO 14001 certification obtained in October this year, which proves that the company operates an internationally recognized environmental management system.
In order to achieve its carbon neutrality goals, CATL plans to utilize electricity from renewable sources and develop its own solar energy capacity. These efforts are supported by the fact that CATL already has 10 factories that have obtained this carbon neutral certification, and the Debrecen plant is also expected to reach this milestone within two years of its launch. As part of its sustainability efforts, greening launched this fall near CATL’s battery factory.
CATL Debrecen launched intensive recruitment more than two years ago, thanks to which the number of employees will soon exceed 1000. The recruitment campaigns launched in 2024 and 2025 have yielded outstanding results, with two-thirds of the open positions successfully filled from Debrecen and the wider region.
„Our goal is to build a local company that offers international knowledge and opportunities while creating a stable, modern, and predictable work environment. We are viewing for professionals in the fields of manufacturing, logistics, quality assurance, finance, IT, and HR who are open to innovation and learning new technologies. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer professional and cultural training and a wide range of learning opportunities,” emphasized Alexandra Kitta, CATL Debrecen’s recruitment manager, at the event.
Social engagement and cultural ties
In line with its international ESG strategy, CATL is committed to social responsibility and aims to further strengthen its presence in the community life of Debrecen and the surrounding area. In 2025, the company supported the city’s most significant annual events and also contributed to the establishment of new cultural traditions: this year, it participated for the first time in the organization of the Chinese Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival in Debrecen. In the spirit of social responsibility, CATL Debrecen continues to be active in local CSR initiatives, which focus primarily on supporting children and protecting the environment.
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