Robin Zeng, chairman of CATL, has donated 1.5 million company shares to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Fujian (Ningde) Advanced Research Institute. The donation is valued at approximately ¥420 million, or $62.5 million, based on the closing share price of ¥280.12 on October 14, 2026.
The research institute was established in June 2026 through a partnership between the Ningde municipal government, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Fujian Provincial Department of Education, and CATL. It focuses on research and talent development in fields including new energy batteries, photovoltaics, zero-carbon systems, and electric transportation.
The institute has begun accepting applications for its 2027 graduate program, aiming to enroll 50 full-time students. This includes 20 spots specifically for a joint training program with CATL. Students will study at the university for one year before conducting research in Ningde under joint supervision.
Construction of the institute's first phase, located near CATL's 21C Lab, covers 23,000 square meters and is expected to be operational by December 2027. This follows a previous donation in May 2025, when CATL vice chairman Li Ping and his wife donated 4.05 million shares to Fudan University.
CATL continues to lead the global electric vehicle battery market. Data from SNE Research indicates that the company's battery installations reached 333.0 GWh during the first eight months of 2026, securing a 39.4% market share, an increase from 37.7% in the same period of the previous year.
