HiTHIUM’s manufacturing base in Chongqing has been officially recognized by the World Economic Forum (WEF) as the world’s first Lighthouse Factory in the energy storage battery sector, marking a major milestone for the global clean energy and battery manufacturing industry.
The facility was selected as part of the WEF’s Global Lighthouse Network 2026, an initiative that highlights industrial sites demonstrating outstanding performance in productivity, digital transformation, sustainability, supply chain resilience, and workforce development. With this recognition, HiTHIUM becomes the first company to represent the energy storage battery industry among 224 lighthouse factories worldwide.
In addition to the global recognition, the Chongqing base is also the world’s first large-scale manufacturing facility dedicated to kAh-level long-duration energy storage (LDES) batteries, reinforcing its strategic importance in supporting renewable energy integration and grid stability.
“Competitiveness today is no longer defined by efficiency alone, but by the ability to sense, adapt and respond at speed,” said Kiva Allgood, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum, highlighting the role of intelligent and sustainable operations in shaping the future of manufacturing.
A “Thinking Factory” for the Energy Transition
As demand for lithium-ion energy storage surges globally, manufacturers face rising cost pressures and increasingly strict quality requirements. HiTHIUM has responded by building what it describes as a “thinking factory” — an intelligent production ecosystem powered by advanced digital technologies.
The Chongqing plant has deployed more than 40 digital solutions, integrating generative artificial intelligence, machine learning, and AIoT technologies across the entire production lifecycle, from research and development to final inspection. This closed-loop, data-driven system enables near-zero-defect manufacturing, improves equipment efficiency, and ensures consistent battery quality, enhancing safety and long-term reliability for large-scale energy storage applications.
According to the company, the factory has achieved significant gains in production yield, capacity utilization, and overall equipment effectiveness through lean manufacturing and intelligent operations.
Driving Long-Duration Energy Storage at Scale
HiTHIUM is also positioning the Chongqing base as a global hub for LDES industrialization. In June 2025, the company began mass production of its ∞Cell 1175Ah LDES battery, followed by global deliveries of its ∞Power 6.25MWh 4-hour battery energy storage system (BESS) in October.
In December, the system was showcased as the sole energy storage representative at a national-level exhibition highlighting China’s advanced manufacturing achievements.
Looking ahead, HiTHIUM plans to use the lighthouse factory as a model to accelerate smart manufacturing, intelligent R&D, and resilient supply chain development across its global operations. The company also aims to promote digital transformation throughout its upstream and downstream partners, building a more collaborative and efficient industrial ecosystem.
By scaling intelligent manufacturing practices and advancing LDES deployment, HiTHIUM says it is committed to supporting the global transition toward clean, secure, and sustainable energy systems, while contributing a strong Chinese manufacturing solution to the world’s green energy future.
