As global markets—particularly the European Union—implement increasingly stringent requirements for sustainability and carbon neutrality, the bar for the battery industry has been raised. These new standards demand more than just compliant products; they require a comprehensive commitment to green governance throughout the entire lifecycle. At Highstar, we view these rigorous international regulations not as obstacles, but as a roadmap for our strategic evolution. We have actively integrated the global "zero-carbon" philosophy into our operations, aligning our practices with international standards and the Paris Agreement to ensure our competitiveness in overseas markets. Our corporate slogan, "To create a smart life and achieve a zero-carbon future," reflects our determination to be a proactive leader in this new era of manufacturing.

Taking Responsibility: Our First ESG Report Tells the Story

In 2025, we published our first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, marking an important milestone in our sustainability journey. This wasn't just a checkbox exercise—it was a comprehensive look at how we operate, where we're succeeding, and where we need to improve.

The numbers tell a powerful story. We achieved greenhouse gas emissions of 139,518.95 tCO₂e while simultaneously expanding our annual production capacity to 15.32GWh. This means we're growing our business without proportionally growing our environmental impact. We generated 748.63 tons of standard coal equivalent through photovoltaic power generation, taking concrete steps toward renewable energy. Most importantly, we met our ambitious targets: reducing energy consumption per unit product by 5% and total energy consumption by 3%. These aren't just statistics—they represent real changes in how we manufacture batteries, real reductions in our carbon footprint, and real progress toward a sustainable future.

Our commitment to innovation remained strong with 156 million RMB invested in R&D (7.5% of our revenue) and 31 new patents obtained in 2024. Meanwhile, our product qualification rate reached 99.69% with zero recalls and customer satisfaction of 92.18%, proving that sustainability and quality go hand in hand.

Turning Waste Energy Into Power: Innovation That Makes a Difference

Here's a practical example of how we think about sustainability: our 8 lithium battery capacity grading machines equipped with energy feedback technology. In traditional battery testing, energy discharged from batteries simply dissipates as heat—completely wasted. We saw an opportunity to change that.

Our machines capture that discharged energy, convert it back to AC power, and feed it into the grid where other equipment can use it. The impact is significant: we save over 60% of discharge energy consumption and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.2 tons per day under full-load operation. Multiply that across a year, and you're looking at hundreds of tons of CO₂ prevented from entering the atmosphere—just from being smarter about how we test batteries. It's this kind of practical innovation, applied across every part of our operations, that drives real environmental progress.

Cleaner Production Isn't Just a Goal—It's How We Work

In 2024, we conducted a comprehensive cleaner production audit that examined every aspect of our manufacturing process. We didn't just look for easy wins; we identified 13 substantial improvement programs and invested 1.55 million RMB to implement them properly.

The results proved the investment was worth it. We achieved 2.25 million RMB in economic benefits, showing that environmental responsibility and business success support each other. More importantly, we reduced cadmium in wastewater by 0.19 tons per year and nickel by 0.83 tons per year—these are heavy metals that can cause serious environmental harm if not properly managed. We also handled 1,249.57 tons of general solid waste and 374.54 tons of hazardous waste, ensuring everything was disposed of properly through certified partners. Clean production isn't a one-time project for us; it's an ongoing commitment woven into our daily operations, with systematic reviews ensuring we continue improving year after year.

Every Drop Counts: Our Approach to Water Conservation

Water is one of our planet's most precious resources, and we treat it that way. In 2024, our total water consumption was 507,676 tons across all our facilities. We know that's a significant amount, which is why we've invested heavily in water treatment and conservation.

Every drop of wastewater—124,113.22 tons in total—goes through advanced treatment systems before discharge. Our facilities are equipped with comprehensive wastewater treatment infrastructure that ensures all industrial wastewater meets strict discharge standards before entering the municipal sewage network. We carefully monitor our COD emissions (9.64 tons) and ammonia emissions (0.75 tons), maintaining compliance with environmental regulations while continuously working to reduce these numbers. We've also installed water-saving devices throughout our offices and plants, conduct regular inspections for leaks, and train employees on water conservation. It's a comprehensive approach that recognizes water as the vital resource it is.

Products That Power the Clean Energy Revolution

Our product portfolio isn't just about making batteries—it's about enabling the global transition to renewable energy. Every product we develop is designed with sustainability in mind, from the materials we use to the efficiency of the final product.

Small Power Cylindrical Batteries: Our latest achievements in cylindrical battery technology show what's possible when innovation meets sustainability. Our 18-series high-capacity batteries now reach 3.5Ah, while our 21-series achieves an impressive 5.6Ah. But capacity isn't our only focus—our innovative full-tab technology enables 80% charging in just 10 minutes, perfect for applications requiring rapid energy delivery. We've made significant breakthroughs in lithium supplementation technology and full-tab structural designs, with three new full-tab battery models about to enter mass production. These advances mean devices can run longer on smaller batteries and recharge faster, reducing overall material consumption.

Energy Storage Systems: This is where batteries meet the renewable energy challenge head-on. Our energy storage business has established a complete industrial chain including battery cells, module PACKs, and comprehensive systems. We offer solutions for every scale—from outdoor photovoltaic systems and residential energy storage to commercial and industrial applications and containerized energy storage systems. Our integrated approach covers system design, installation and construction, compliance and permitting, and ongoing operation and maintenance. When solar panels generate electricity during the day, our systems store that energy for use at night. When wind turbines produce excess power, our batteries capture it for when it's needed. This is how renewable energy becomes reliable, practical, and accessible.

Sodium-Ion Batteries: This is the innovation we're most excited about for the future. Our sodium-ion products (including 46145-15AH and 71173208-160AH models) represent a significant step toward truly sustainable battery technology. Unlike lithium, sodium is abundant and widely available, reducing supply chain concerns and environmental impact from mining. Our sodium-ion batteries have obtained authoritative UL and IEC certifications and offer remarkable advantages: superior cycle life, exceptional safety characteristics, and the ability to operate in extreme temperature ranges that would challenge traditional batteries. They're ideal for energy storage, backup power, start-stop systems, and special vehicles. We've accelerated industrialization with our new anode material sodium-ion battery series, and 50160118-50AH has entered the trial phase. This technology represents the future of sustainable energy storage.

Explore our complete range of sustainable energy solutions at https://www.highstar.com/development

Our People Are Our Greatest Asset

Sustainability isn't just about environmental metrics—it's about creating a workplace where people thrive. In 2024, we invested substantially in our 2,510 employees because we believe that sustainable business starts with sustainable employment practices.

We conducted 135 training sessions with 5,663 participants, averaging 16.4 training hours per employee. This isn't generic training—we've developed targeted programs that combine professional skill development with career advancement opportunities. Our New Professional Training (NPT) program helps new graduates transition from "campus people" to "Highstar people" through a comprehensive approach covering company culture, core values, policies, and team integration. We've also established clear career development channels across administration, R&D, and technical tracks, with defined qualification levels from Assistant (L0) to Senior Specialist (L5), and we've integrated ESG innovation capabilities into our career development standards.

Safety is non-negotiable. We maintained an injury rate of just 1.55 per million working hours in 2024, well below industry averages. We achieved this through comprehensive safety training, proper equipment, regular inspections, and a culture where every employee feels empowered to stop work if they identify a safety concern. Our governance is equally rigorous—we conducted 26 audits including specialized reviews and fraud investigations, with anti-corruption training and compliance trainings reaching 670 participants. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for violations.

Beyond work, we care for our people's wellbeing. Our employee satisfaction reached 90.3%, supported by 100% social security coverage and a 100% labor contract signing rate. We've built over 20,000 square meters of talent apartments with independent bathrooms and laundry facilities. We provide meal allowances, organize health checkups, and created spaces like reading rooms, nursing rooms, and fitness centers. Through our Highstar Charity Foundation, nearly 500 employees received assistance in 2024 when they faced difficult circumstances. When our people succeed, our company succeeds—and when our company succeeds, we invest back in our people.

Leading the Industry Forward Together

Recognition from external organizations validates our efforts, but more importantly, it signals our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in our industry. In 2024, we earned several prestigious certifications that reflect our comprehensive approach to sustainable manufacturing.

We received National 5G Factory certification from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, recognizing our advanced manufacturing capabilities and digital transformation. We maintained our High and New Technology Enterprise status and earned Authorized Economic Operator designation from Nanjing Customs District. These aren't just awards to display—they represent rigorous audits of our processes, systems, and outcomes. Perhaps most significantly, we participated in drafting 3 industry standards in 2024, with 2 additional national standards for sodium-ion batteries and battery packs forthcoming. By contributing to industry standards, we help raise the bar for everyone, ensuring that sustainability becomes embedded in how the entire battery industry operates.

The Road Ahead: Our 2030 Vision

We've made progress, but we're not satisfied with where we are—we're energized by where we're going. Our roadmap to 2030 is ambitious, concrete, and focused on breakthrough innovations that will reshape sustainable energy storage.

Accelerating innovation means pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We've identified solid-state battery research, development, and industrialization as a key strategic direction for our future. Solid-state batteries promise higher energy density, improved safety, and longer lifecycles—exactly what the world needs for everything from electric vehicles to grid-scale storage. Simultaneously, we're expanding our sodium-ion battery production, having validated multiple products with leading downstream customers and built a comprehensive product matrix that addresses diverse applications. We're also developing our Customer-to-Customer (CTC) model for lithium iron phosphate material recycling, creating a truly circular lifecycle where battery materials are recovered, refined, and reused rather than discarded.

Global expansion is about bringing sustainable solutions to more people. With 4 domestic and 4 overseas manufacturing bases, we're positioned to serve customers worldwide. We've already shipped over 45 billion batteries globally—each one a small contribution to reducing fossil fuel dependence. Our expansion into prismatic batteries and overseas markets isn't just business growth; it's spreading sustainable practices and technologies to new regions and applications.

Continuous improvement is embedded in our targets. We're committed to an annual 5% reduction in energy consumption per unit product and a 3% reduction in total energy consumption. These targets push us to constantly innovate in manufacturing efficiency, equipment optimization, and process design. With 30+ years of experience, 300+ patents and trademarks, and over 30% of our workforce dedicated to R&D, we have the foundation to achieve these ambitious goals. By 2025, we aim to accelerate the deployment of green production capacity and continue developing low-carbon product sequences, working systematically toward our contribution to China's dual-carbon goals and global climate commitments.

Join Us in Creating a Zero-Carbon Future

Every battery we produce helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Every efficiency improvement we make reduces our environmental footprint. Every innovation brings us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable world. But we can't do this alone—sustainability requires partnership between manufacturers, customers, suppliers, communities, and governments.

We're transparent about our progress, our challenges, and our commitments. That's why we've published this comprehensive ESG report and why we'll continue reporting annually on our targets, actions, and outcomes. We invite you to explore our sustainable energy solutions, partner with us on innovative projects, or simply learn more about how battery technology is enabling the clean energy transition.

With 30 years of steady operation, a team of 2,500+ dedicated employees, and an unwavering commitment to innovation and responsibility, we're building tomorrow's clean energy solutions today. The path to a zero-carbon future is challenging, but it's also filled with opportunity—opportunity to innovate, to create value, and to leave a better world for future generations.

Want to learn more about Highstar's commitment to sustainability? Visit our development page to explore our full range of eco-friendly battery solutions and read our complete 2024 ESG report.

Contact us: For inquiries about our sustainable energy solutions, call our 24/7 service hotline at +86-513-80795666 or email neishen@highstar.com