CATL begins trial production at new Debrecen plant

Milestone: on 22 Sept 2026 CATL began trial production on the first two lines of its new cell-manufacturing building in Debrecen, after receiving the occupancy permit in August 2026 and remedying deficiencies found by the authorities (including elevated nickel exposure among nine workers); series production will only follow after the ramp-in phase. Announced in 2022, the plant is to reach 100 GWh of annual capacity at full build-out, making it CATL's largest site outside China; module assembly has been running there since autumn 2024 (around 537,000 modules). The sources give neither the investment sum nor headcount (Portfolio.hu and Világgazdaság, 22 Sept 2026). Update (06.10.2026): State Secretary Zsolt Tárkányi of the transport and investment ministry published excerpts of the non-binding letter of intent signed with the previous government in 2022: it lists a planned investment value of €7.3bn and annual capacity of 100 GWh and holds out, among other things, an 80% corporate tax reduction for up to 13 years and possible cash grants (Portfolio.hu, 06.10.2026).