CATL Debrecen began trial production at its newly built battery cell factory on 22 September 2026 after completing the regulatory and technical requirements needed to launch operations. The trial phase will be used to set up, optimise and validate production equipment and manufacturing processes before series production begins.
The Chinese battery manufacturer announced plans for its second European production site in Debrecen in August 2022, aiming to strengthen its presence in the European automotive and e-mobility supply chain and serve major carmakers operating across the continent.
Construction of the first battery cell building started in summer 2023. By spring 2026, the facility had been equipped with production technology, while an occupancy permit was granted in August.
Trial production begins on two battery cell lines
Following the approval of the necessary permits and completion of the conditions required under its integrated pollution prevention and control permit, CATL Debrecen launched trial operations on the first two production lines of its cell manufacturing facility on 22 September.
According to the company, the main purpose of the trial phase is to configure, optimise and validate both the equipment and the manufacturing processes ahead of full-scale series production.
The trial period will also allow engineers to monitor production performance and make adjustments before commercial output begins.
Earlier regulatory concerns addressed before launch
Before issuing the occupancy permit, the Hajdú-Bihar County Government Office carried out a series of on-site inspections at CATL’s facilities.
The checks followed earlier deficiencies and issues that had raised concerns among some local residents during the permitting and construction process.
According to CATL, representatives of the authority confirmed that the company had remedied all deficiencies identified earlier in the procedure before trial production was allowed to begin.
The company said it would continue cooperating closely with the Hungarian government and competent authorities, particularly on environmental protection as well as employee health and workplace safety.
CATL added that environmental, occupational health and safety indicators would also be closely monitored throughout the trial phase, with the results proactively submitted to the authorities.
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CATL Debrecen targets 100 GWh production capacity
Once all parts of the project are completed, the Debrecen plant is expected to become CATL’s largest manufacturing base outside China.
The planned annual production capacity is 100 GWh, making the investment one of the largest battery manufacturing projects in Hungary and a major component of the country’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle supply chain.
CATL says its Debrecen facility will supply leading European car manufacturers, several of which have already developed significant electric vehicle production capacity in Hungary and the wider region.
The plant has been designed with flexible production lines intended to adapt to the requirements of different automotive customers.
More than half a million battery modules already produced
Battery cell production is not CATL’s first manufacturing activity in Debrecen.
The company has been producing battery modules at the site since autumn 2024 and says it has manufactured approximately 537,000 modules since production began.
The start of trial cell production therefore marks another major step towards the full operation of the Debrecen complex.
Environmental and workplace safety remain under scrutiny
CATL said it would continue working with authorities during the trial period and reiterated its commitment to environmental protection, employee health and workplace safety.
The company also said it supports regulatory transparency and remains open to inspections by the relevant authorities.
The Debrecen investment is significant not only for the city and the surrounding region, but also for Hungary’s industrial strategy and Europe’s electric mobility supply chain. Once series production begins and the entire facility reaches its planned capacity, the factory is expected to become one of CATL’s most important production centres outside China.
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