Lead Intelligent Equipment (hereafter referred to as LEAD) has been upgraded from an A to an AA rating in the latest ESG assessment by Wind, a leading financial data platform in China. This recognition highlights LEAD’s enhanced commitment to sustainable development and positions its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance among the best in the industry.
Wind’s ESG rating system combines international standards with the unique characteristics of the Chinese market. Drawing on practical experience in China’s capital markets and the specific traits of domestic listed companies, the framework evaluates over 500 indicators across 29 subtopics within three core ESG dimensions. Its comprehensive database, covering all A-share and Hong Kong–listed companies, has earned strong recognition from both domestic and international investors for its professionalism and credibility.
According to official data, LEAD achieved a comprehensive ESG score of 8.15 out of 10, ranking 22nd among 562 listed companies in the machinery and equipment sector—placing it in the industry’s top 4%. Notably, LEAD’s ESG management practices score increased by nearly 20% year-on-year, underscoring its strong momentum for continuous improvement.
Strategic Planning Drives Green Transformation
In recent years, LEAD has embedded ESG governance into its corporate development strategy, establishing a sustainable roadmap guided by the vision of “advancing the global green energy transition through intelligent manufacturing.” This vision is reinforced by a closed-loop management system that integrates strategy, execution, and validation, ensuring ESG objectives are fully woven into the company’s operations.
At the strategic level, LEAD introduced the industry’s first carbon neutrality roadmap, setting clear goals to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve full carbon neutrality by 2035. The company also published a Climate Action White Paper, detailing implementation pathways in clean energy substitution, carbon footprint management, and green product manufacturing. Together, these initiatives have established LEAD as a frontrunner in ESG practices within the new energy equipment sector.
As part of its commitment to green operations, LEAD has built a comprehensive ESG management system covering R&D, production, and supply chain operations. By the end of 2024, its digital energy management platform had reduced annual electricity consumption by 1.68 million kWh. Meanwhile, packaging optimization across all production lines and key equipment models lowered terminal product carbon emissions by more than 700,000 tons.
In April 2025, LEAD’s second factory in Wuxi received ISO 14068 carbon neutrality certification—becoming the first Chinese company in its field to achieve this milestone. At the same time, LEAD’s rooftop solar project at its Neutra facility in Germany has already begun supplying green power. In China, the first phase of a distributed photovoltaic system across its campuses is nearing completion and will be fully self-consumed. By 2027, the company plans to install more than 20 MW of distributed solar capacity at its manufacturing bases nationwide.
Low-Carbon Technology Powers Industry Progress
As a technology leader in new energy equipment, LEAD integrates sustainability across the entire product lifecycle. By prioritizing efficiency and energy savings, the company delivers solutions that create commercial value while advancing environmental responsibility.
Through process optimization and integrated production steps, LEAD has launched several benchmark energy-efficient products. These include a dry electrode film-forming machine that cuts energy consumption by 38% compared with traditional wet processes, and a high-integration formation and grading system that raises energy utilization efficiency to over 75%. Powered by the intelligent LEADACE Dome Platform—enabling real-time production parameter adjustments, predictive maintenance, and lower defect rates—LEAD has built a product ecosystem that unites clean production, smart energy, and low-carbon output. In doing so, it helps customers reduce energy use at the source and accelerates the global green transition.
Beyond its business operations, LEAD actively advances public welfare initiatives. The company continues to support targeted assistance programs between Wuxi and Yan’an, provides financial aid to children in need in Yichuan, organizes charity sales in partnership with Tencent Charity, and awards annual scholarships to nearly 100 students. Through school-enterprise collaborations and dedicated philanthropic funds, LEAD demonstrates its commitment to corporate social responsibility on multiple fronts.
LEAD’s ESG progress has been widely recognized by stakeholders. Its recent upgrade to an AA rating from Wind underscores the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability. Other key achievements over the past year include:
International Recognition: Scored “B” in the CDP Climate Change and Water Security Questionnaires and was selected for the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) 2025.
Domestic Leadership: Earned an AA rating from Huazheng ESG and was recognized among the Top 50 Best Practices in Corporate Governance (G Dimension) of A-Share Listed Companies 2025.
Capital Market Trust: Achieved an A grade in the Shenzhen Stock Exchange information disclosure evaluation for six consecutive years and received the Golden Bull Sci-Tech Innovation Award from China Securities Journal as well as the Investor Relations & Shareholder Return Award from Securities Times.
These accolades highlight LEAD’s excellence in corporate governance, its rigorous ESG risk management, and its strong capacity for sustainable growth.
