CATL Breaks Ground on Joint Battery Plant in Spain
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and Stellantis NV held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday for a joint lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery factory in Spain’s Aragon region. With a planned investment of 4.1 billion euros ($4.7 billion), the project is one of the largest Chinese investments in Spain to date and will run entirely on renewable energy, with production scheduled to begin by the end of 2026.
Chinese Miners Urged to Rethink Indonesia Playbook
Chinese mining companies should revise their Indonesia playbook, shifting from manic investment to more calculated, localized operations as the resource-rich nation tightens its grip on the nickel sector, according to industry insiders. Speaking at the 4th DBS Metals and Mining Indonesia Forum on Wednesday, Bo Shaochuan, a director at Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd., noted that while early capital inflows were largely trend-driven, the current landscape demands deeper consideration. As policy and regulatory environments evolve, companies must now optimize their investment models to ensure sustainability, he said.
Chinese Firms in Africa Advised to Improve Community Engagement
Chinese enterprises operating in Africa need to better communicate their contributions to local communities to improve integration and understanding, according to a speaker at an industry forum Wednesday. Documentary director Du Fengyan noted that while Chinese companies often build essential infrastructure like water wells in water-scarce regions, they frequently fail to label or publicize these efforts, leaving local beneficiaries unaware that the aid came from Chinese firms.
Hunan Construction Targets Billions in Middle East Projects
State-owned Hunan Construction Investment Group Co. Ltd. sees massive opportunities in the Middle East, with its international arm currently bidding for projects worth tens of billions of yuan in Saudi Arabia alone. Li Zhenlai, chairman of the subsidiary known as SHICO, told Caixin that the company is awaiting results for major tenders, including a single commercial complex project valued at nearly 10 billion yuan.
