Shanghai (ZXZC)- On August 18, CATL signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Shanghai municipal government to set up a high-end manufacturing base in the megacity, the Chinese power battery giant announced via its WeChat account.

CATL, Shanghai municipal government signing agreement; photo credit: CATL

The investment deal for the production base was inked by CATL, the management committee of Lin-gang Special Area, and Lingang Group, the largest industrial park developer in Shanghai. Notably, Lin-gang Special Area is also home to Tesla’s Gigafactory 3.

Under the framework agreement, CATL will bring its global innovation center, the headquarters of its international businesses, and the energy research institute to Shanghai.

To be specific, the global innovation center will be dedicated to the innovation of advanced materials, structural design, and business models, and operate part of CATL's international businesses. The energy research institute will team up with Shanghai Jiaotong University to build a platform for both technology innovation and talent development, and jointly make breakthroughs in cutting-edge new energy technologies.

CATL said the cooperation with Shanghai will focus on the efforts to speed up digital transition for urban transportation, foster high-end talents for new energy industry, peak carbon emissions, and achieve carbon neutrality.

On the same day, the Ningde-based power battery giant signed another framework agreement with Sichuan Development Holding Co.,Ltd. Based on the deal, CATL will work with Sichuan Development Holding and latter's six subsidiaries on the R&D of charging & battery swapping facilities and aerodynamic technologies, the integration of upstream raw materials, the smart mining, and the commercial vehicle electrification.