By David Shepardson WASHINGTON, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Friday asked Chinese battery company Gotion Inc to ​return $23.7 million in state funds the company received after the ‌company last year abandoned a plan to build a $2.4 billion plant in Michigan to ‌produce key materials for electric vehicle batteries. The plan, first announced in October 2022, was expected to create 2,350 factory jobs but came under criticism from some lawmakers for the company's Chinese owne ...

Group 1 - The core viewpoint of the articles revolves around CATL's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the battery industry, as highlighted by its collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation [1][2] - CATL aims to achieve significant advancements in battery technology and sustainability by 2035, focusing on circular economy principles [2] - The company has reported a remarkable 99.6% recycling rate for its batteries, showcasing its dedication to environmental responsibility [1] Group 2 - CATL's partnerships with major companies such as DHL and Volvo JLR are aimed at enhancing its market position and expanding its influence in the electric vehicle sector [1] - The company is set to increase its production capacity significantly, with plans to produce 1,000 GWh of batteries by 2030, reflecting its growth strategy [1] - CATL's market share in the battery industry has seen a substantial increase, with a reported growth from 96.5% to 270,000 units, indicating strong demand for its products [1]

Core Viewpoint - The launch of the white paper by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation at the 2026 World Economic Forum outlines a comprehensive roadmap for a circular economy in electric vehicle (EV) batteries and critical minerals, emphasizing the collaboration between CATL and the Foundation [1][10]. Group 1: Industry Collaboration and Contributions - The report was developed with input from over 30 leading organizations in the EV battery ecosystem, including CATL, DHL, Volvo, and JLR, as well as research institutes and NGOs, providing a clear industry-based direction for battery design, usage, recovery, and reintegration [2]. - CATL, as a founding strategic partner of the Foundation's Critical Minerals Mission, has worked closely with the Foundation and industry peers to translate circular economy principles into practical, deployable actions based on operational experience [3]. Group 2: Environmental and Economic Benefits - A circular battery system for EVs can offer significant opportunities in environmental, economic, product, and value creation areas by maintaining the use of batteries and their essential minerals throughout their lifecycle, thereby reducing the demand for newly extracted materials and emissions [4]. - The circular approach enhances economic value by improving material efficiency, reducing waste and operating costs, and creating new revenue streams while strengthening supply chain resilience and distributing economic benefits more equitably across regions [4]. Group 3: Key Actions for Circular Battery Systems - The white paper identifies five interdependent actions necessary to maintain high-value battery material usage and enhance system resilience, including designing batteries for circularity, rethinking battery maintenance, scaling circular business models, investing in regional circular infrastructure, and enabling circular operations through data and policies [5][7]. - CATL is already implementing these measures at a system-wide scale, managing batteries as centralized assets to increase usage and ensure predictable returns at the end of their lifecycle, operating over 1,000 passenger vehicle battery swap stations and more than 300 commercial vehicle swap stations [5][6]. Group 4: Future Directions and Goals - The report marks a significant step towards a global circular economy for batteries, with a call for scaling circular battery systems across regions, industries, and applications, from electric vehicles to energy storage [9]. - CATL aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all its battery factories and the entire value chain by 2035, aligning its agenda with the broader energy transition goals [9].

Core Insights - Volkswagen Group has commenced construction on a Cdn $7-billion battery cell manufacturing plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, moving forward with the project despite global trade tensions and uncertain short-term prospects for North America's electric vehicle market [1][7] - PowerCo aims to establish itself as a battery powerhouse in Europe and North America, emphasizing the importance of electric vehicles for the future of the automotive sector [2] - The Canadian plant will be the largest in PowerCo's portfolio, following facilities in Germany and Spain, and marks a significant investment in Canadian automotive history [3][4] Investment and Economic Impact - The construction of the plant supports the Canadian and Ontario governments' strategies to develop a local battery supply chain, especially as other EV and battery investments in Canada face challenges [4] - Federal and provincial officials have highlighted the project's significance for making Canada a leader in the EV and battery industry, showcasing the resilience of Ontario's workforce and the strength of its auto sector [5] Market Context and Future Plans - The industry has encountered setbacks, including the cancellation of the BrightDrop EV program and delays in battery materials projects in Quebec, indicating a challenging environment for EV investments [6] - Despite uncertainties in the North American EV market and trade discussions, Volkswagen Group remains committed to the St. Thomas project, with battery production expected to start in 2027 [7]

Company Performance - CATL's profit jumped in the third quarter [1] Market Dynamics - CATL defended its lead in China as the world's largest maker of electric vehicle batteries [1] - CATL pushed further into overseas markets [1]

Core Insights - The Trump administration has acquired direct ownership stakes in five major publicly traded companies as part of a national security strategy to secure domestic supply chains for semiconductors, critical minerals, and steel [4][9]. Group 1: Government Investments - The Department of Defense (DoD) entered a public-private partnership with MP Materials to counter China's dominance in the rare earth market, acquiring a 15% stake, making it potentially the largest shareholder [1][7]. - The administration converted previously awarded CHIPS Act grants into a $5.7 billion investment for a 10% equity stake in Intel Corp, aimed at preventing a potential spinoff of its unprofitable foundry business [2][3]. - The government also acquired a 10% stake in Lithium Americas Corp as part of negotiations to restructure a $2.26 billion federal loan for the Thacker Pass lithium mine, expected to be the largest lithium operation in the Western Hemisphere by 2028 [7]. Group 2: Stock Performance - MP Materials' stock price increased from $45.11 to $74.33, a gain of 64.77% since the government's stake acquisition on July 11 [7]. - Lithium Americas' stock advanced by 20% from $7.04 to $8.45 following the government's stake acquisition on October 1 [7]. - Trilogy Metals' stock surged 215.30% in after-hours trading following the announcement of a 10% stake acquisition through a $35.6 million investment [8]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The acquisition of a "golden share" in US Steel Corporation grants the U.S. government permanent veto authority over key corporate decisions, reflecting a significant shift in government involvement in key industries [4][18]. - The administration's strategy may extend to acquiring stakes in major defense contractors, indicating a broader approach to securing domestic supply chains [9].

Core Viewpoint - Hyundai Motor Group anticipates a delay of up to three months in the completion of its new electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Georgia due to a raid by US immigration authorities [1][7]. Group 1: Plant Details - The HL-GA Battery Company plant was initially scheduled for completion by the end of the year and is intended to supply batteries to the nearby Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, which has a production capacity of 300,000 hybrid and battery-powered vehicles annually [2]. - The raid led to the detention of 475 individuals, including 300 specialized automotive personnel from South Korea, who were subsequently repatriated [3]. Group 2: Investment Context - The raid surprised South Korea, which has been heavily investing in expanding its manufacturing footprint in the US, with a commitment of US$ 350 billion in the medium term during recent trade discussions [4]. - Despite the setback, Hyundai remains committed to investing in the US, which is its largest single market globally, with over 1.7 million vehicles delivered in 2024 [7]. Group 3: Workforce and Visa Issues - Hyundai's CEO highlighted the necessity of bringing in skilled workers from abroad during the construction phase, noting the lack of specialized skills and equipment available in the US [5]. - The CEO expressed hope for improved visa systems to facilitate the temporary entry of skilled foreign workers for manufacturing operations, with the South Korean government also advocating for a new visa category for this purpose [6].