HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to HomeStrategyback to Research & KnowledgeCATL: Global battery supremacyback to Strategy

Case Study

CATL: Global battery supremacy

By Mark J. Greeven, Yunfei Feng and Patrick Reinmoeller

8 pages

February 2022

Reference: IMD-7-2302

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) was founded in 1999 under the name ATL. Initially, it had no technology of its own, and the founder, Zeng Yuqun, traveled to the US and acquired a patent for a lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery from Bell Laboratories. Then, through a series of technological breakthroughs that came one after the other, CATL became the supplier of Apple, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla. On 29 July 2021, CATL unveiled its first generation of sodium-ion batteries, an important pivot away from lithium-based batteries. In addition to sodium-ion batteries, for many years CATL has been deeply involved in researching and developing solid-state batteries, which are deemed to be the most promising technology to improve energy density significantly. Through continuous technology innovation, CATL enjoyed a market value of roughly $203 billion by July 2021. This, according to The Economist, was greater than the combined value of lg Chem, Panasonic and BYD the world’s second-, third- and fourth-largest battery producers.

Learning Objective

In a field where technology is king, the primary success factor must be continuous technological innovation and breakthroughs
Win over your benchmark customer first
Government support is essential for technology innovation

Keywords

Strategy, Innovation, Electric Vehicle, Technology, Battery Technology, Technology Management, Asia, China

Settings

South-Eastern Asia, China
CATL, Automotive, Automobiles, Automotive, Electric Vehicles
1999-2021

Type

Published Sources

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Keep reading

Article

Strategic use of AI in healthcare and pharma drives market advantage. Here’s how - IbyIMD

AI is fundamental to the competitive strategies of the most advanced healthcare and pharmaceutical firms. Here is how they are adopting AI to be data-driven leaders.

Innovation Strategy Technology Management

By Tomoko Yokoi and Michael R. Wade

in I by IMD

Podcast

“We were so scared of our IPO”: Leaders Unplugged with former On-CEO Marc Maurer - IbyIMD

ON’s Marc Maurer shares how purpose, humility, and bold choices fueled the brand’s rise—from anti-metaverse to IPO—in this inspiring leadership talk.

Innovation Leadership Strategy

By Alyson Meister and Marc Maurer

in I by IMD

Article

4 Steps For CIOs To Take Control - Taming AI

AI agents are reshaping IT landscapes and creating new risks. Discover 4 steps for CIOs to take control and lead with confidence in a fast-evolving space.

Technology Management

By Amit M. Joshi, José Parra Moyano, Ram Bala and Natarajan Balasubramanian

in I by IMD

Article

Why Mark Zuckerberg and Meta can’t build the future

Last week, a notification flashed. “Add your email address for extra security,” my phone chirped. It was from WhatsApp. I stared at the screen, a single question forming in my mind: Security? Or surveillance? I tapped “No.” The feeling wasn’t ange...

Strategy Leadership

By Howard H. Yu

in The Star

1 July 2025

Article

Only connect: How to keep disparate workforce elements happy and motivated - IbyIMD

Today’s workforce often includes a mix of permanent employees, freelancers, and outside contractors – but even organizations with mostly external workforces or highly autonomous workforces need proximity to succeed over the long term. Here are fou...

Has Nike lost its stride?

Set in 2024, the case describes the trajectory of Nike's success and how it had recently lost its way. The company was experiencing its worst slump in more than 10 years. Since 2020, CEO Donahoe oversaw a significant shift away from wholesale, wit...

Marketing Digital Strategy

By Ivy Buche and Goutam Challagalla

Video

The end of corporate passivity

Corporate leaders must stop being passive spectators and actively shape geopolitical outcomes to drive global competitiveness and collaboration.

Competitiveness Corporate Governance Decision Making Leadership Politics Strategy

By Arturo Bris

in I by IMD

Video

The story of the ‘like’ button - Innovation Book Club

BCG’s Martin Reeves traces the messy human journey behind one of tech’s most contagious features – and what it reveals about innovation, behavior, and unintended consequences.

Communication Innovation Technology Management

By Knut Haanaes and Martin Reeves

in I by IMD

Case Study

UrbanLuxe: Supply chain and M&A

This brief case exercise presents an increasingly common business scenario: An established player acquires a small, agile start-up to re-energize its value proposition. In this case, established global beauty giant UrbanLuxe acquires beauty start-...

Supply Chain Mergers and Acquisitions Operations Strategy

By Ralf W. Seifert and Richard Markoff

Article

Trump’s unconventional negotiation strategy - Dr. Sebastian Moritz

Trump’s unconventional negotiation strategy reveals how game theory in negotiations can shape power, commitment, and outcomes before talks begin.

Strategy

By Anna Cajot

in I by IMD

Strategic use of AI in healthcare and pharma drives market advantage. Here’s how - IbyIMD

By Tomoko Yokoi and Michael R. Wade
in I by IMD

Summary

AI is fundamental to the competitive strategies of the most advanced healthcare and pharmaceutical firms. Here is how they are adopting AI to be data-driven leaders.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Strategy

Technology Management

Browse all topics

“We were so scared of our IPO”: Leaders Unplugged with former On-CEO Marc Maurer - IbyIMD

By Alyson Meister and Marc Maurer
in I by IMD

Summary

ON’s Marc Maurer shares how purpose, humility, and bold choices fueled the brand’s rise—from anti-metaverse to IPO—in this inspiring leadership talk.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Innovation

Leadership

Strategy

Browse all topics

Why Mark Zuckerberg and Meta can’t build the future

By Howard H. Yu
in The Star 1 July 2025

Summary

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Strategy

Leadership

Browse all topics

Only connect: How to keep disparate workforce elements happy and motivated - IbyIMD

By Sebastian Reiche
in I by IMD

Summary

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Strategy

Team

Browse all topics

Has Nike lost its stride?

By Ivy Buche and Goutam Challagalla
Case reference: IMD-7-2598 ©2025

Summary

Reference IMD-7-2598

Organization Nike

Industry Consumer Goods, Footwear

Available Languages English

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Marketing

Digital

Strategy

Browse all topics

The end of corporate passivity

By Arturo Bris
in I by IMD

Summary

Corporate leaders must stop being passive spectators and actively shape geopolitical outcomes to drive global competitiveness and collaboration.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Competitiveness

Corporate Governance

Decision Making

Leadership

Politics

Strategy

Browse all topics

The story of the ‘like’ button - Innovation Book Club

By Knut Haanaes and Martin Reeves
in I by IMD

Summary

BCG’s Martin Reeves traces the messy human journey behind one of tech’s most contagious features – and what it reveals about innovation, behavior, and unintended consequences.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Related topics

Communication

Innovation

Technology Management

Browse all topics

UrbanLuxe: Supply chain and M&A

By Ralf W. Seifert and Richard Markoff
Case reference: IMD-2654 ©2024

Summary

Reference IMD-2654

Available Languages English