CATL starts trial production at its new Debrecen cell factory in Hungary
CATL began trial production on 22 September 2026 at its new cell factory in Debrecen, Hungary, starting the ramp-up toward a plant it says will reach 100 GWh as its largest base outside China.
- 100 GWh
- 537,000
- 22 September 2026
- 2
What Happened
CATL began trial production on 22 September 2026 in its newly built cell factory in Debrecen, after fulfilling all the preconditions required to start the trial run. The trial's purpose is to set up, optimise and validate the production equipment and manufacturing processes ahead of the start of series production. The first two production lines of the cell manufacturing facility are the ones entering operation. By Spring 2026, the first cell building had been equipped with the most advanced technology, according to the company.
CATL announced construction of its second European battery plant in Debrecen, aiming to integrate into the European automotive and e-mobility supply chain and better serve leading European automakers.
Construction of the first cell building started.
CATL began manufacturing battery modules in Debrecen.
The company obtained the occupancy permit and all other relevant permits, completing every precondition required by its IPPC permit.
Trial operations started on the first two production lines of the cell manufacturing facility.
100GWh
CATL says the Hungarian plant will then be its largest manufacturing base outside China.
Before issuing the occupancy permit, the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office carried out regular on-site inspections at CATL's facilities to follow up on previous issues that had created serious worries among local inhabitants. Authority representatives confirmed that the company had resolved all the deficiencies identified earlier in the permitting process. During trial operation, employee health, safety and environmental factors will be thoroughly monitored and the results submitted to the authority proactively. CATL says it remains committed to working closely with the government and the authorities on environmental standards and employee health and safety, and that it welcomes authorities to visit its site at any time.
Described as a strategic manufacturing hub, the Debrecen plant will supply the most well-known leading European automakers, which have already built significant electric vehicle production capacity in Hungary in recent years. CATL says it installed the most advanced, flexible production lines there so it can meet its clients' needs at all times. The company has been manufacturing battery modules in Debrecen since autumn 2024 and has produced 537,000 modules since then. CATL frames the investment as important not only for Debrecen and its region but also for the Hungarian economy and the European e-mobility supply chain.
Why this matters
The Debrecen site is a pillar of CATL's European expansion: the company says it will supply leading European automakers that have already built EV production capacity in Hungary, and at full build-out it will be CATL's largest manufacturing base outside China. The ramp-up also concerns local residents, who raised environmental worries during permitting, and the authorities monitoring the trial phase.
Terms in This Story
- IPPC permit
- An environmental permitting framework for large industrial installations that sets conditions on pollution prevention and control.
- Series production
- Full-scale, continuous volume manufacturing, as opposed to a trial or pilot run.
- Battery module
- A group of battery cells assembled into a unit that is later combined into a complete battery pack.
- Occupancy permit
- An official approval confirming that a building meets the applicable requirements and may legally be used.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.