CATL has recently taken synchronized actions across both upstream and downstream sectors of its supply chain. On the upstream front, the battery giant reached strategic cooperation agreements with companies including Taijin New Energy and Shenzhen HKC to restructure its lithium battery copper foil supply chain. Downstream, it launched a "Global Open Month" promotion on its B2B platform, "CATL Mall," accelerating its penetration into the small and medium-sized energy storage system (ESS) integrator market.
Upstream: Partnering with Equipment and Material Suppliers to Restructure the Copper Foil Supply Chain
On the equipment front, CATL and Taijin New Energy have established a unified management mechanism featuring centralized planning, standardized technical specifications, and centralized procurement. Taijin New Energy will provide standardized, large-scale centralized delivery for new expansion projects, driving systematic cost reductions and technological upgrades on the equipment side.
On the supply front, CATL will partner with two companies, including Shenzhen HKC, to jointly build 400,000 metric tons of new capacity over the next three years. Adopting a novel pricing principle based on "cost-plus, reasonable profits, and shared risks," the parties have established a lock-in mechanism for long-term supply volumes and fair processing fees for the new capacity. CATL will also empower suppliers financially through advance payments and optimized payment terms.
Downstream: B2B Direct Sales Model Lowers Procurement Thresholds for Small and Medium Integrators
To address the pain points faced by traditional small and medium-sized ESS integrators—such as multi-tiered distributor markups, high costs, and inconsistent product quality—CATL launched its B2B direct sales platform, "CATL Mall," in June this year, followed by a Global Open Month promotional campaign running from September 3 to 30.
During the event, 314Ah energy storage cells are priced starting at 0.395 RMB/Wh, while 280Ah (1P) energy storage cells start at 0.465 RMB/Wh.
Currently, the platform displays and sells three main product categories: cells, battery packs, and containerized systems. Among them, the 314Ah and 280Ah (1P) cells are available for purchase, while a 587Ah cell specifically designed for energy storage has been listed but is currently marked as "coming soon."
For battery pack products, the store currently features 280Ah packs and long-format 314Ah packs, with rated capacities of 46.59 kWh and 104.49 kWh, corresponding to 1P52S and 1P104S configurations, respectively.
Containerized products include the EnerD and EnerD+ energy storage systems, with rated capacities of 4.472 MWh and 5.015 MWh, respectively. EnerD weighs approximately 41.5 metric tons, while EnerD+ weighs about 38.5 metric tons; both products have passed certification under relevant national standards.
By moving the procurement of energy storage cells and systems online through direct sales and lowering the minimum order quantity to just three boxes, CATL provides a direct procurement channel for small and medium-sized energy storage system integrators.
Source：EnergyTrend