Debrecen4U October 2, 2026

CATL Hosts First Ever Press Tour at Debrecen Plant

Until now, members of the press had only been able to see CATL’s battery cell plant in Debrecen from the outside, but on Thursday the company opened the facility to the media for the first time. Trial production began on 22 September on the first two production lines of the facility, which has an annual capacity of 40 GWh, while the other two lines will be started following some technical adjustments. During the tour, it was possible to follow in detail how the battery cells are produced, from the processing of raw materials through to assembly and final inspections.

In response to a question from Médiacentrum Debrecen, CATL’s managing director said that reaching full production capacity would still take some time. “This depends primarily on the pace at which production is ramped up. We have to take into account speed, quality and the requirements of our customers, as the products have to be validated not only on our own production lines but also at our customers’ facilities. So it depends on several factors, but I think we are talking about roughly two to three to four months,” said Shen Feng, Managing Director of CATL Debrecen.

During the second part of the factory tour, the company’s executives also answered questions from the press. It was revealed that CATL currently employs around 2,900 people in Debrecen, with locally recruited employees accounting for 52 per cent. In the longer term, however, the company intends to employ as many Hungarian workers as possible.

The occupational safety issues that came to light in August were also discussed. According to the plant director, following the official inspections, the conditions for starting trial operations had been met, although monitoring of the working environment is continuing. “We also have a dedicated team that checks the use of personal protective equipment, for example whether employees are wearing the appropriate masks and workwear. We are doing everything we can to ensure that the people working here are safe, that the working environment is suitable and that our environmental protection systems operate continuously. This is a long-term commitment on the part of the company,” said Qin Liang, Plant Director of CATL Debrecen.

Alongside ramping up production, CATL also intends to strengthen its ties with local communities. The company plans to organise community programmes in Debrecen and around 20 neighbouring settlements, including support for sports and other local initiatives.

Meanwhile, discussions with the government are also under way regarding the continuation of the investment but, according to the company, ensuring the safe and stable operation of the first phase is currently the top priority. Sustainability and responsible manufacturing are strategic priorities for CATL worldwide, which is why the Debrecen plant was also designed to become carbon-neutral soon after production begins. “We understand that local residents are concerned about water consumption, so we have developed water-saving technology that drastically reduces our industrial water demand. Thanks to the adiabatic cooling towers introduced in 2025, our facility can operate with 30% lower water consumption, and we are also able to use greywater,” the plant director explained.

As a strategic European manufacturing centre, CATL’s Debrecen plant will supply some of Europe’s best-known leading car manufacturers, which have already established significant electric vehicle production capacity in Hungary in recent years.

Thanks to the most advanced and flexible manufacturing technology, the plant’s long-term economic stability is secured, creating jobs and attracting further business opportunities to the region. “CATL Debrecen will become an important supplier to the European automotive industry. We are ready to work with European car manufacturers to develop our battery technology, support regional recycling initiatives, establish a local renewable energy ecosystem and cooperate with educational institutions to help raise a new generation equipped with the knowledge needed for the energy transition. Our latest products have been developed specifically for the European market: we are producing batteries designed for long range and fast charging,” said Managing Director Shen Feng, outlining the role of the Debrecen plant.

The company began module production in Debrecen in autumn 2024, and around 540,000 modules have been produced since then. The Debrecen plant is CATL’s largest production base outside China, and the investment in Hungary is of major importance not only for Debrecen and the surrounding region, but also for the Hungarian economy and the European e-mobility supply chain.

Source and photo credit: dehir.hu