Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world’s largest EV battery maker, was slated to play a key role in the expansion of the United States’ own EV battery production capabilities until August 2023, when five U.S. senators requested that it be added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List due to the potential presence of forced labor in its supply chains.
According to the research presented in the official letter, while CATL had reportedly divested itself of Xinjiang-based entity Xinjiang Zhicun Lithium in March 2023, it appeared to retain control over the company’s operations through a series of holding companies and through a former executive.
In this report, Sayari analysts use corporate records accessed through Sayari Graph to demonstrate that CATL’s ties to forced labor risk are far more numerous than the senators had suspected. The company’s corporate network suggests that:
- The former executive, Guan Chaoyu, may have continued ties to CATL
- Guan Chaoyu may be linked to multiple Xinjiang-based companies — not just Xinjiang Zhicun Lithium
- CATL’s links to Xinjiang Zhicun Lithum extend beyond Guan Chaoyu and its holding companies
Download the report to read the full analysis and learn how automotive companies can more effectively mitigate forced labor risk in their supply chains.