As the world's leading power battery manufacturer, CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.,Ltd.) is striving to evolve from a battery company into a foundational infrastructure provider for a new energy society.

Beyond solidifying its dominance in batteries, the company's most striking recent development is its aggressive expansion into new business frontiers.

In transportation, its battery applications have extended from passenger vehicles to commercial vehicles like electric heavy-duty trucks, electric ships, electric aviation, and further into energy replenishment networks via battery swap stations.

In the power sector, CATL's energy storage batteries command over 30% of the global market share, and its energy storage system integration business grew by 160% in 2025, forming a robust second growth pillar.

Within the grid domain, the company is an industry leader in developing distributed microgrids and exploring grid-forming energy storage stations, while actively investing in flexible grid and virtual power plant technologies.

For industry, CATL provides green energy and zero-carbon operation solutions to a growing number of mining sites, steel plants, cement factories, chemical plants, and industrial parks.

In critical minerals, the company is heavily investing to secure supply chains through its resources group while accelerating its battery recycling and resource circular economy initiatives.

In the AI field, CATL has invested over ten billion yuan to become the largest shareholder in veteran data center operator Century Internet and leading intelligent computing center power supplier Zhongheng Electric, securing its entry into the era of integrated computing and power.

CATL has also signed zero-carbon city strategic cooperation agreements with numerous cities including Xiamen, Lanzhou, Yancheng, Changzhou, Wuhu, Jiaxing, Dongying, and Yibin.

Its global footprint is accelerating, with investments in manufacturing plants in Germany, Hungary, Spain, and Indonesia, and energy storage projects underway in Australia, the UAE, Brazil, and elsewhere. Its listing in Hong Kong in May 2025 provides a more flexible capital source for overseas expansion.

Chairman Zeng Yuqun states that CATL is committed to becoming "a zero-carbon technology company making outstanding contributions to humanity's new energy endeavors."

Exploring Technological Frontiers

When asked about the technology receiving the most focus, Zeng Yuqun emphasized battery technology as the company's foundation, alongside significant work in AIDC (AI Data Center) energy supply, aiming to be the world's best in that specific domain without venturing into chip manufacturing.

Perspective on Solid-State Batteries

Zeng challenges the notion of solid-state batteries as the definitive boundary of battery technology. He clarifies that a true solid-state battery requires a completely solid electrolyte under normal temperature and pressure, but notes that cathode and anode materials still have vast room for evolution. He cautions against pursuing solid-state technology merely for its own sake, questioning the underlying motivation.

Regarding the common view that solid-state batteries cannot achieve large-scale commercialization before 2030, Zeng reframes the discussion. He suggests that achieving a scale of millions of vehicles is unlikely soon due to challenges in performance and cost required for affordability.

He emphasizes that commercialization should be event-driven, not time-driven. Success depends on overcoming specific scientific and technical hurdles; innovation cannot be scheduled. He cites the complex issue of solid-solid interface contact between materials as a key example, where differing compaction densities of materials like copper, aluminum, cathode, anode, and electrolyte cause misalignment during high-pressure manufacturing, posing significant application challenges.

Thus, he concludes that solid-state batteries are not the holy grail many imagine.

Pathways to Commercialization

Zeng outlines three essential pathways for any technology's commercialization: the technical route (no show-stopping obstacles), the product route (capable of mass production and supply), and the commodity route (competitive cost-performance for broad acceptance).

He assesses solid-state batteries as currently at level 4 on a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale of 1 to 9, indicating it is still on the technical pathway, not yet addressing product or commodity challenges. The key remains waiting for critical event-driven breakthroughs.

Future Battery Technology Directions

Looking beyond solid-state, Zeng highlights significant potential in cathode materials and developing higher-voltage battery systems. For instance, increasing lithium battery voltage from around 4 volts to 5 volts would boost energy density. He asserts there is still extensive room for battery technology research and development, areas where CATL is investing considerable resources.