DAVOS, Switzerland, January 15, 2026 — Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) announced today that its Yibin facility in Sichuan Province has been designated a Sustainability Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network (GLN). This prestigious recognition follows the plant’s earlier 2022 designation as a “Lighthouse” for manufacturing productivity, making it the world’s first lithium-ion battery plant to be named a Sustainability Lighthouse and the only site in the industry to hold both productivity and sustainability Lighthouse distinctions.

The latest accolade specifically honors the Yibin plant’s industry-leading achievements in reducing energy consumption, emissions, water usage, and waste. These results were driven by the deployment of advanced technological solutions aimed at fulfilling a comprehensive strategy for net-zero operations, decarbonization, and circularity. With this addition, CATL now boasts four Lighthouse certifications across its global manufacturing network—the highest tally in the lithium battery industry—including sites in Ningde (2021), Yibin (2022 & 2025), and Liyang (2023).

In its official release, the WEF commended the plant’s transformative approach: “Facing the challenges of rapid expansion—including rising carbon emissions, high energy use, and growing value-chain footprints—the site integrated an AI-driven energy transformation, a micro-grid photovoltaic storage system, process innovation, and low-carbon product R&D. These efforts yielded a 56% reduction in carbon footprint and enabled 13 suppliers to achieve carbon neutrality certification.”

To tackle systemic issues such as intensive energy use, carbon-heavy supply chains, and low circular efficiency, the Yibin plant has established an intelligent manufacturing system that excels in circular economy practices, energy conservation, emissions reduction, and green supply chain management. Key initiatives include:

- AI-Driven Equipment Optimization for Enhanced Efficiency: Machine-learning algorithms are deployed across core manufacturing systems to predict demand, reduce idle time, and dynamically adjust operations. In coating processes, intelligent controls modulate airflow and fan frequency, significantly improving energy efficiency.

- Circular Packaging Reducing Emissions and Material Use: The plant has scaled reusable and universal packaging racks across all domestic projects, supported by IIoT-enabled scheduling for optimal material flow. For overseas operations, advanced simulation tools optimize packaging design, achieving lighter structures that meet international standards while minimizing environmental impact.

As the first dual-purpose Lighthouse for both productivity and sustainability, CATL’s Yibin plant stands as a global benchmark for intelligent, low-carbon manufacturing. Moving forward, CATL plans to extend these validated practices across its operations to build a high-quality, efficient, and sustainable global production network.

About the Global Lighthouse Network

Co-founded by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey & Company, the Global Lighthouse Network identifies world-leading facilities and value chains that demonstrate exceptional performance in productivity, sustainability, resilience, and innovation.