CATL founder and chairman Zeng Yuqun told the 2026 BRICS New Industrial Revolution Partnership Forum in Xiamen that zero-carbon technology represents a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for BRICS nations to bypass traditional industrialization paths, backed by CNY 100 billion in cumulative R&D investment and a landmark $6 billion Indonesia project. Zeng Yuqun delivers keynote at the 2026 BRICS Forum in Xiamen. Source: 新浦财经 (Sina Finance)
Zeng Yuqun comments are based on Key platforms in place to boost industrial ties among BRICS members; Indonesia project figures are cross-checked against battery-industry reporting.
Three Pillars for BRICS Industrial Transformation
Zeng framed the new industrial revolution as driven by two forces: AI as the “brain” that sets the intelligence ceiling, and new energy as the “heart” that provides the power foundation. He outlined three concrete steps for BRICS nations. First, converting resource advantages into industrial capabilities – BRICS countries hold abundant nickel, lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite, and copper reserves, plus vast renewable energy potential. Rather than remaining raw material exporters, Zeng argued they should become active participants in green supply chains. Second, creating new value through technology. He emphasized that “without technology, ore is just ore and sunlight is just sunlight.” Third, using policy to create closed-loop economic cycles where zero-carbon industry creates jobs, generates income, drives green consumption, and attracts further investment. Zeng cited the Indonesia project as proof of concept, and highlighted complementary strengths across BRICS: Brazil in biofuels, India in low-cost solar, Russia in nuclear energy, and South Africa in green mining.
The Indonesia Mega-Project
CATL’s flagship international collaboration is a joint venture with Indonesian state mining company ANTAM and battery firm IBC, forming a consortium to build a complete battery supply chain spanning nickel mining, smelting, battery materials, cell manufacturing, and battery recycling. The total investment approaches $6 billion (approximately CNY 43 billion). The project is expected to create over 8,000 direct jobs and 35,000 indirect positions, and has been recognized by the Indonesian government as a “Tier 1 strategically important and mutually beneficial cooperation.” The investment represents one of the largest single foreign commitments in Indonesia’s downstream mining sector and aligns with the country’s ambitions to become a global EV battery production hub.
CATL by the Numbers
Zeng disclosed that CATL has invested over CNY 100 billion in R&D over the past decade, accumulating more than 60,000 patents. The company is also preparing to launch what it describes as the world’s largest and most comprehensive one-stop energy storage testing and validation platform in Xiamen. On the AI-energy intersection, Zeng described breakthroughs in “computing-power deep coordination” (suan-dian shendu xietiao), addressing the challenge of powering massive AI data centers with clean energy. CATL has already delivered zero-carbon energy solutions to partners including SenseTime, whose Shanghai Lingang AI data center has become one of Asia’s largest intelligent computing facilities.
Sources
- China Daily, Key platforms in place to boost industrial ties among BRICS members
- Energy-Storage.news, CATL begins US$6 billion battery integration project in Indonesia
- ANTARA News, Indonesia begins $6 billion CATL-backed EV battery project
