Catena-X launches the first cross-border data ecosystem between China and Europe
The new infrastructure will enable secure, sovereign and interoperable industrial data exchange, supporting compliance with requirements such as the European Digital Battery Passport
Catena-X, in collaboration with the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) and VDA China, has announced the launch of the first trusted data ecosystem for the automotive industry to operationally connect China and Europe. Announced during the China Auto Forum, this initiative represents a decisive step towards secure, scalable international industrial data exchange aligned with the regulatory frameworks of both regions.
The new infrastructure addresses one of the main challenges facing global supply chains: a product may be ready to cross a border, but it may not be able to access certain markets without the necessary verified information.
This challenge will become particularly relevant from February 2027, when batteries for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles placed on the European Union market will be required to have a Digital Battery Passport containing traceable supply-chain information and data on their carbon footprint.
The ecosystem will be operated in China by Zhonglian, Catena-X’s new operating partner and the first to be established outside Europe. The organisation will manage the ecosystem’s core services and act as the local regulatory interface. Cofinity-X will support the technical deployment and interoperability, while Catena-X, CAAM and VDA China will continue to lead the areas of strategy, standards and governance. Operations are scheduled to begin in mid-November 2026.
Data sovereignty is one of the fundamental principles of this model. Each company retains control over its information and can determine who may access it, for what purpose and under which conditions. Through verified identities, common data models and a decentralised architecture, only previously authorised information is exchanged, protecting both intellectual property and commercially sensitive data.
In addition to the Digital Battery Passport, this infrastructure may serve as the foundation for other use cases related to Product Carbon Footprint calculation, future Digital Product Passports, supply-chain due diligence, resilience and regulatory compliance.
Organisations interested in participating in the testing activities that will take place over the coming months can contact Catena-X at info@catena-x.net