CATL signed strategic cooperation agreements with Xi'an Taijin and Shenzhen Huike, covering centralized procurement, joint capacity development, and collaborative R&D, planning 400,000 tonnes of new copper foil capacity over three years.
Cooperation Overview
In September 2026, CATL signed strategic cooperation agreements with Xi'an Taijin New Energy & Materials and Shenzhen Huike New Materials, establishing a deep collaboration mechanism for lithium battery copper foil supply chain.
Cooperation Content
The partnership covers five core areas:
- Centralized Procurement: Unified purchasing of copper foil equipment
- Joint Capacity Development: Co-planning capacity expansion to match CATL's battery production growth
- Cost-Based Pricing: Establishing cost-oriented pricing system
- Collaborative R&D: Joint development of next-generation copper foil technology
- Renewable Energy Sharing: Shared use of green electricity to reduce carbon footprint
| Dimension | Content | Expected Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Centralized Procurement | Unified equipment purchasing | Lower equipment costs |
| Capacity Planning | 400K tonnes added in 3 years | Match battery capacity needs |
| Pricing Mechanism | Cost-oriented pricing | Stable supply prices |
| Technology R&D | Next-gen copper foil joint development | Higher battery energy density |
| Green Manufacturing | Renewable energy sharing | Reduced carbon emissions |
Industry Impact
For Copper Foil Industry
CATL's move will reshape the lithium battery copper foil landscape:
- Increased Concentration: Leading battery makers directly binding upstream material suppliers
- Accelerated Technology Collaboration: Closer R&D linkage between battery and material makers
- Proactive Capacity Planning: Shifting from "order-driven" to "strategic collaboration-driven"
For Battery Supply Chain
Copper foil is a critical material for lithium battery anode current collectors, accounting for approximately 5-8% of battery costs. This cooperation ensures:
- Supply security for CATL's next three years
- Cost reduction through scale procurement and joint R&D
- Material technology reserves for next-gen high-energy-density batteries
Why Copper Foil?
Copper foil plays critical roles in lithium batteries:
- Current Collector: Conductive Carrier for anode active materials
- Structural Support: Maintains anode structural stability
- Heat Dissipation: Helps battery cooling, enhancing safety
As battery energy density increases, copper foil requirements evolve:
- Thinner (from 8μm to 6μm, 4.5μm)
- Stronger (higher tensile strength)
- More uniform (improved thickness consistency)
Global Battery Supply Chain Trends
CATL's copper foil supply chain integration reflects deeper trends in global power battery industry:
- Deepening Vertical Integration: Battery makers extending upstream for supply security
- Regionalized Layout: Building localized supply chains in key markets (Europe, North America)
- Green Supply Chain: Renewable energy and low-carbon manufacturing becoming new competitive dimensions
For more battery supply chain data, visit EX1000.COM.
