Exclusive: Debrecen’s CATL plant accused of violations — Company denies all

A complaint letter sent to Daily News Hungary has raised multiple allegations against the Chinese battery manufacturer CATL regarding its ongoing investment in Debrecen. The document, which was forwarded to CATL for comment, accuses the company of environmental violations, illegal construction, poor treatment of suppliers, broken job promises, and breaches of labour rights. CATL has denied the accusations, stating that its operations comply fully with EU and Hungarian regulations and that it remains committed to environmental protection and local employment.

Allegations detailed in the complaint

According to the letter received by Daily News Hungary, the following concerns have been raised:

1. Ignoring environmental laws – The complaint claims CATL shows “no sense of compliance” with local environmental protection rules, alleging that wastewater from battery production exceeds permitted limits and risks polluting water supplies. It also states the project has begun without a valid IPPC permit and accuses the company of believing political connections can override regulations.
2. Illegal construction – The letter alleges that CATL forces suppliers to build facilities without valid environmental impact reports or official approvals. It claims Chinese suppliers are unfamiliar with Hungarian laws, leading to illegal construction of items such as boilers and chimneys.
3. Unfair supplier treatment – The complaint describes “rough management” practices, claiming decision-makers in the company’s headquarters have little understanding of the local situation. It alleges frequent plan changes that cause extra costs for suppliers, with delayed or refused payments.
4. Broken promises on jobs – The letter accuses CATL of backtracking on a pledge to create 2,000 jobs for locals, instead bringing in 3,000 workers from China. It claims that 25% of local employees have been laid off without cause, including new hires who were still in their probationary period.
5. Labour rights violations – The complaint alleges that CATL forces employees to work overtime in violation of Hungarian labour laws and without regard for rest periods, potentially causing frustration and resistance among workers.