WEF Recognizes CATL’s Yibin Site as Industry’s First Sustainability Lighthouse

Davos, Switzerland – The World Economic Forum (WEF) has designated CATL’s Yibin manufacturing plant in Sichuan province as a "Sustainability Lighthouse" within its Global Lighthouse Network (GLN). This recognition marks a significant industry milestone, as the facility becomes the world’s first lithium-ion battery plant to receive this specific honor.

Having previously been named a "Lighthouse" for productivity in 2022, the Yibin site is now the only facility in the battery industry to hold distinctions for both operational excellence and sustainability.

This latest accolade underscores the plant's success in implementing industry-leading reductions in energy consumption, emissions, and waste. The WEF citation specifically acknowledges the site's use of advanced technological solutions to pursue comprehensive net-zero and circularity goals. With this designation, CATL now operates four certified Lighthouse facilities across its network—including sites in Ningde and Liyang—holding the highest number of such certifications in the lithium battery sector.

In its assessment, the WEF noted the unique challenges faced by the facility: "For the world's largest battery production site, rapid expansion related to rising carbon emissions, high energy use, and an increasing value-chain carbon footprint and manufacturing costs."

To mitigate these issues, the Forum highlighted that the Yibin site integrated AI-driven energy transformation, micro-grid photovoltaic storage, and low-carbon product R&D. These measures resulted in a notable 56% reduction in the site's carbon footprint and facilitated carbon neutrality certifications for 13 of its suppliers.

The plant’s strategy addresses systemic hurdles—such as energy-intensive supply chains and low circular efficiency—through specific intelligent manufacturing systems:

• AI-Driven Equipment Optimization: To counter energy inefficiencies, the facility utilizes machine-learning optimization across core manufacturing systems. Real-time data analysis predicts demand to cut unnecessary standby time, while intelligent control systems in coating processes dynamically regulate airflow and fan frequency to maximize energy efficiency.

• Circular Packaging Initiatives: The site has scaled packaging circularity to reduce material usage. In the domestic market, reusable universal racks are managed via IIoT-enabled lifecycle scheduling. For international logistics, advanced simulations have helped develop lightweight packaging designs that minimize environmental impact while meeting transport standards.

As the first facility to achieve Lighthouse status for both Productivity and Sustainability, the Yibin plant serves as a new benchmark for intelligent, low-carbon manufacturing. These practices are expected to influence CATL’s broader strategy as it expands its global manufacturing network.

The Global Lighthouse Network, a collaboration between the WEF and McKinsey & Company, identifies and honors manufacturing sites that demonstrate exceptional performance in areas including supply chain resilience, sustainability, and productivity.

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Last Update:2026-01-21 09:30:19