The world's biggest maker of batteries for electric cars said its largest plant in China is operating a factory bubble to comply with the country's zero-tolerance swine flu curbs
The factory in Yibin has imposed a closed loop system that will allow it to operate in an orderly manner while complying with measures to contain the spread of Covid. One of the most important markets for the company is China.
In order to comply with China's strict Covid Zero policy, the plant in the south of Sichuan province has imposed a range of virus curbs. The 21 million residents of the provincial capital of Chengdu have been locked down for more than a week because of a Covid outbreak.
China is finding a way to do covid zero while keeping factories open.
During the Beijing Winter Olympics, closed loops were used to keep athletes and support staff separate from the rest of the population. Workers are usually required to live on site and are tested regularly.
The systems were used a lot during the two-month shut down of the city, with staff sleeping on the factory floor to keep production going.
VW start factory bubbles during the lockdown.
Closed loops have been imposed on factories by companies including Apple Inc.
If electricity shortages continued, manufacturing in the province would be disrupted, with companies like SAIC Motor Corp. telling government officials their operations might be impacted.
The Yibin factory is the largest of its kind for EV battery production. doubling that is currently being spent by the plant
China is trying to keep Covid out while other countries try to keep it out. This year has seen large cities shut down or disrupted, dragging on the world's second largest economy and a key global growth engine.
China faces a risk of slower growth according to economists.
Emma O'Brien and Danny Lee helped with the project.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
