CATL controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile8 entries
2025
U.S. Department of Defense designation
The U.S. Department of Defense added CATL to its list of Chinese military companies. The designation intensified political scrutiny of CATL’s access to U.S. government business and financial relationships.
2024
U.S. scrutiny over alleged forced-labor exposure
U.S. lawmakers asked the Department of Homeland Security to consider CATL in relation to import restrictions under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. CATL said the allegations were unfounded and that it complied with applicable laws.
2023
Security concerns over CATL batteries at a U.S. Marine base
Duke Energy disconnected CATL batteries at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune after security concerns were raised. CATL rejected claims that its batteries posed espionage risks and called the allegations misleading.
2021
Explosion at Brunp recycling plant
Safety incident
An explosion occurred at a workshop of Brunp Recycling Technology in Hunan, killing one person and severely injuring six others. CATL, the parent company, stated that the incident had a limited impact on its operations. Brunp was investigating the cause of the explosion at the time of the report.
An explosion at Brunp Recycling Technology’s workshop in Hunan killed one person and severely injured six others. CATL said the incident had limited impact on its operations, and Brunp was investigating the cause.
Company response
Investigation — Brunp Recycling Technology
its subsidiary is busy investigating the cause of the fire.
Investigation — 湖南邦普
目前湖南邦普正全面配合相关部门进行事故原因的调查
Apology — 宁德时代
在此公司也对事故产生的社会影响以及伤员和家属深表歉意。
Source excerpt
Tesla Inc's battery supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has assured reporters that an explosion in its subsidiary Brunp Recycling Technology that took place yesterday and took one life has a limited impact on its operations. The accident took place in Brunp's workshop located in the Chinese province of Hunan and severely injured six people in addition to claiming one life.
CATL's statements, reported by Sina Finance, also state that the situation is now under control and that its subsidiary is busy investigating the cause of the fire.
1月7日晚间，国内动力电池龙头宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司（下称“宁德时代”，300750）孙公司湖南邦普循环科技有限公司（下称“湖南邦普”）发生爆炸起火事故，引发市场关注。
2021
Explosion and fire at Hunan Brunp factory
Safety incident
On January 7, 2021, an explosion and fire occurred in a workshop at the old factory of Hunan Brunp Recycling Technology. CATL stated that the impact of the incident on its production and operations was preliminarily assessed as limited. The company also said that Hunan Brunp was cooperating with the relevant authorities in their investigation into the cause of the incident. No further details on casualties, damage, or the outcome of the investigation were provided in the source.
Company response
Investigation — 宁德时代
当晚火势已扑灭，目前湖南邦普正全面配合相关部门进行事故原因的调查
Apology — 宁德时代
在此公司也对事故产生的社会影响以及伤员和家属深表歉意。
Source excerpt
1月7日18时12分左右，湖南邦普循环科技有限公司老厂车间发生爆炸起火。
对于湖南邦普发生的爆炸事件，宁德时代表示，初步评估邦普工厂事故对公司生产经营业务影响有限。
在此公司也对事故产生的社会影响以及伤员和家属深表歉意。
2021
Court rules in CATL patent infringement case
Ruling
A court found that Jiangsu Tafel New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and Dongguan Tafel New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. jointly infringed CATL's utility model patent and ordered them to jointly compensate CATL for economic losses and reasonable expenses.
Source excerpt
法院认为，该专利目前处于有效状态。二塔菲尔公司未经专利权人许可，共同制造、销售落入涉案专利权保护范围的侵权产品，共同侵害了宁德时代公司涉案专利权，构成共同侵权。
8月24日，宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司与江苏塔菲尔新能源科技股份有限公司、东莞塔菲尔新能源科技有限公司等侵害实用新型专利权纠纷一审民事判决书公开，案号（2020）闽民初1号，审理法院为福建省高级人民法院。
本案裁判结果为，二塔菲尔公司连带赔偿宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司的经济损失22979287元及合理费用326769元等。
2021
CATL sues CALB over alleged patent infringement
Lawsuit filed
CATL formally sued CALB for alleged patent infringement; a source cited in the report said the alleged infringement covered CALB's full product range. The report does not provide a court determination.
Source excerpt
该人士透露，中航锂电涉嫌侵权范围覆盖其全系产品。
今日，财联社报道称，宁德时代已经正式起诉中航锂电专利侵权。
宁德时代已就中航锂电专利侵权案递交起诉书，案件已受理。涉案专利涉及发明与实用新型专利，此次涉嫌侵权电池已搭载在数万辆车上。
2020
CATL files patent lawsuit against Tafel
Lawsuit filed
CATL said it filed a lawsuit against Tafel with the Fujian High People's Court over alleged infringement of intellectual property related to an explosion-proof valve patent. The case was accepted in early January, and the amount in dispute was RMB 120 million.
Source excerpt
因此公司向福建省高院提起诉讼，案件于1月初获受理，案件标的为1.2亿元，涉案专利与防爆阀相关。
塔菲尔制造和销售多款与宁德时代设计相同或类似型号的电池产品，严重干扰了正常的市场秩序，其行为涉嫌侵犯了宁德时代的知识产权。
宁德时代认为塔菲尔制造和销售多款电池产品，与宁德时代的设计相同或类似。严重干扰了正常市场秩序，侵犯了宁德时代知识产权。