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In Hungary, in Debrecen, nine employees at CATL’s plant recorded elevated nickel exposure. This finding prompted the local occupational safety authority to suspend activities in three workshops. The pause targeted the cell-manufacturing building, a measured halt that comes as the site’s ramp-up already faces delays.
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The nine nickel-exposure cases were uncovered through biological monitoring tests that began in early June at the site.
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Inspectors found that the workers involved were not adequately protected by personal protective equipment, which is deemed essential for working in those workshops.
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On paper, the Debrecen site is meant to become a key European hub for CATL. The first phase of the cell plant was designed for an annual capacity of around 40 GWh. The total announced investment exceeds €7.6 billion. CATL had indicated that mass production of cells was expected to start in March or April 2026, a timeline that has already slipped. The cell production building is complete, but cell production has not yet begun.
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The plant has already been hit with a €10 million forint environmental fine for permit breaches. Hungarian authorities are tightening oversight on safety and permits at the site.
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