Robin Zeng
| Personal details | |
| Born | Zeng Yuqun (曾毓群) 1968/1/1 (age 57) 🇨🇳 Ningde, Fujian Province, China |
| Nationality | 🇨🇳 Chinese |
| Spouse | Name undisclosed |
| Career details | |
| Occupation | Chairman & Founder, CATL |
| Net worth | Template:Increase US$56.3 billion (2025) |
Zeng Yuqun (born 1968), known as Robin Zeng, is founder and chairman of CATL, the world's largest EV battery maker with 37% global market share. Worth $56.3 billion, he's China's second-richest person. Born into poverty in Ningde village, Fujian Province, Zeng rose through technical education (Shanghai Jiaotong marine engineering 1989, electronics MSc 2001, physics PhD 2006). He founded ATL in 1999 (battery supplier to Apple's iPod from 2003), sold it to Japan's TDK for $100M in 2005, then spun off CATL in 2011-2012 to qualify for Chinese EV subsidies (foreign-owned TDK couldn't access government support). CATL went public 2018 and now supplies Tesla, BMW, Ford, VW, Mercedes, Toyota globally. Zeng pioneered sodium-ion batteries and LFP technology. TIME 100 Most Influential (2023, 2025). Faces US scrutiny over alleged Xinjiang forced labor in supply chains, which CATL denies. Personal life highly private; married with children, father was factory worker, mother was teacher, youngest of 5 siblings. Resides in Ningde where CATL is headquartered.
Early Life
Born 1968 in mountain village near Ningde, Fujian Province to working-class family. Father worked in factory, mother was teacher. Youngest of 5 children. Grew up in poverty during China's economic reforms.
Education
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University - Marine Engineering (graduated 1989)
- South China University of Technology - MSc Electronics (2001)
- Chinese Academy of Sciences - PhD Physics (2006)
Career
Shipbuilding & ATL (1989-2005)
Worked at state shipbuilding company post-graduation. Founded Amperex Technology Limited (ATL) 1999 with colleagues, manufacturing batteries for portable devices. Secured Apple as customer 2003 for iPod batteries. Sold ATL to Japan's TDK for $100M in 2005 but remained as manager.
CATL Founding (2011-2012)
Spun off ATL's EV battery division as CATL in 2011-2012 with vice-chairman Huang Shilin after TDK's foreign ownership disqualified ATL from Chinese government EV subsidies. Secured BMW contract 2012 (€4B worth of batteries). Tesla became customer for Model 3. CATL went public 2018 on Shenzhen Stock Exchange.
Global Expansion & Technology
Expanded to 37% global EV battery market share by 2025. Pioneered sodium-ion batteries (cheaper alternative to lithium), advanced LFP (lithium iron phosphate) technology achieving 1,000km range with 4C superfast charging. Customers include every major automaker. CATL Hong Kong IPO May 2025 raised $4.6B, year's largest globally.
Personal Life
Highly private. Married, wife's name undisclosed. Has children but details private. Resides in Ningde near CATL headquarters. Known for modest lifestyle despite $56B wealth. Honorary Dean of Future Technology Institute at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2020).
Net Worth & Wealth
$56.3 billion (2025 Bloomberg), 31st globally, China's 2nd-richest. Owns 24.54% of CATL (market cap $240B+). Wealth tied to CATL stock performance.
Recognition
- TIME 100 Most Influential People (2023)
- TIME 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders (2025)
- NAATBatt Lifetime Achievement Award (2020)
- Automotive News All-Star (2025)
- Financial Times Developing Markets Award (2018)
Controversies
US lawmakers accused CATL of supply chain connections to Xinjiang forced labor and Uyghur oppression. Republican-led US House Committee claimed evidence of state-sponsored slave labor. CATL and Zeng denied allegations as "groundless and completely false." US Marine Corps disconnected CATL battery storage unit under pressure. Faces ongoing US scrutiny over Chinese government connections and human rights concerns in supply chain.