A location project that has attracted attention all over Europe is thus making important progress: Construction began at the end of 2019 after CATL, the China-based global market leader for the production of battery cells for electric vehicles, picked Thuringia as the site of the first factory that it decided to build outside China. The project will make Thuringia one of the largest hubs for battery cell production, development and research. CATL is investing a total of 1.8 billion euros at the Erfurter Kreuz industrial park and creating up to 2,000 jobs. The first construction stage that just received its operating permit will achieve a capacity of eight gigawatt-hours. As Zentgraf explained, that represents the annual battery capacity for around 120,000 electric cars. CATL has reported that it will be supplying battery cells to all major German carmakers. 500 employees already work for CATL; workers are currently finishing the interior of the roughly half-kilometer long new building. LEG Managing Director Andreas Krey and LEG Department Head Dr. Arnulf Wulff attended the presentation ceremony as well – LEG has been guiding CATL through every step of the project process and beyond. It also develops and markets the Erfurter Kreuz industrial park where CATL acquired its land. (hw)
