The development history of China’s battery factories: a hundred years of inheritance, casting brilliance

Batteries have played an indispensable role in modern industrial society since their invention. The development of China’s battery industry is a story of steady progress – from a weak starting point to one of the world’s largest manufacturing bases. This article traces that history and the brands that shaped it.

The early years: exploration and accumulation (early 20th century to the 1950s)

China’s battery industry began in the early 20th century as industrialisation took hold. In 1911, China’s first battery factory – the Shanghai Ministry of Communications Battery Factory – was established, producing dry batteries and early automotive batteries. The industry grew slowly over the following decades, building basic technical capacity.

Building the industry (1950s to 1980s)

After 1949, battery production was consolidated into state-run factories and technical institutes were created to train engineers. Lead-acid battery manufacturing expanded to serve transport, communications and defence needs, laying the foundation for today’s industry.

Reform and rapid growth (1980s to 2000s)

Economic reform opened the industry to investment and competition. Private and joint-venture plants emerged, production technology modernised, and China became a major exporter of automotive, motorcycle and UPS batteries. Brands such as PALMA, which began local production of maintenance-free batteries in the 1990s with Korean technology, are part of this generation of manufacturers.

The modern era

Today’s Chinese battery industry combines large-scale automated production, established quality systems and global export networks. Lead-acid remains the backbone for starting, standby and traction applications, while new energy technologies continue to develop alongside it.

A century of accumulation produced an industry that now serves markets worldwide – and the story continues with every new production line and export order.