Lifetime Achievement Award
Robin Zeng - One of the most influential battery pioneers in the history of the industry.
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Robin was presented with a Benchmark Lifetime Achievement Award 2026
Benchmark Mineral Intelligence presented CATL Founder, Chairman and CEO Robin Zeng with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating his pivotal role in the development of the global battery industry and his lasting influence on the technologies and supply chains driving its evolution.
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The Award
The Benchmark Lifetime Achievement Award recognises influential figures that have shifted areas of the lithium ion battery supply chain on its axis over the years.
This Award was presented at Benchmark Week 2026 by Andrew Miller, CEO at Benchmark, and Bob Galyen, Former CTO at CATL and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award 2025.
A pioneering battery entrepreneur and technology leader, Robin Zeng has played a defining role in the development of the global lithium-ion battery industry and the expansion of electric vehicle technology.
In 1999, Robin co-founded Amperex Technology Limited (ATL), helping advance lithium-ion batteries for consumer electronics. In 2011, he founded Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), building the company into a global leader in EV battery manufacturing and energy storage technologies.
As CATL’s Founder, Chairman and CEO, Robin has helped drive the large-scale commercialisation of lithium-ion batteries, advancing battery innovation and expanding the technologies underpinning electric mobility and the wider energy transition.
His contribution to the industry has earned international recognition, reflecting his leadership in advancing battery technology and scaling its adoption across global supply chains.
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"Every battery begins with raw materials, and every breakthrough depends on the people who source, refine and process them responsibly. Benchmark has brought clarity to that foundation. I am grateful for this honour, and for the partners across the value chain who make our progress possible."
Robin Zeng at Benchmark Week 2026
About Benchmark Mineral Intelligence
Benchmark enables the energy transition through a world-class, independent offering of comprehensive prices, data and analysis spanning the full breadth of lithium ion and energy transition supply chains - from mine to grid.
Our expertise has been called upon by the highest levels of world governance. Benchmark plays a key role in informing policy decisions across the globe.
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