Catena-X Network Has Grown to 1,069 Participants
The automotive data network expanded significantly as global adoption continues to rise.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Auto Parts
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The Catena-X data-sharing network reached 1,069 active participants by September 2026, marking a substantial increase from 182 members in December 2025. This digital ecosystem enables automotive suppliers and manufacturers to securely exchange standardized supply chain and sustainability data.
Why it matters
Manufacturers use this common trust layer to verify trading partners and maintain data control while addressing supply chain pressures. Standardized exchange protocols significantly reduce administrative overhead across international operations.
Sixty-one of the Berylls Top 100 automotive suppliers currently exchange data through the network. Smaller companies can access up to €15,000 in funding per use case through a €23 million Data Space Accelerator program.
The players
Ford
This global automotive manufacturer uses the network to exchange primary emissions data through carbon-footprint applications.
WITTE Automotive
This supplier requires its direct serial partners to onboard with the Catena-X network to maintain standardized data sharing.
Zhonglian
This firm is scheduled to begin operating core Catena-X services within the Chinese market starting in mid-November 2026.
The details
Companies utilize the network to share emissions and quality data through a secure ecosystem built on trusted digital identities. Major corporations like Ford, Flex, and Micron have adopted the system to track primary emissions, while suppliers like WITTE Automotive have mandated that serial partners join the network.
Timeline
182 participants were on the network as of December 2025.
A cross-border data link between China and Europe launched in July 2026.
The participant total reached 1,069 in September 2026.
Catena-X will mark its fifth anniversary in Munich on October 15, 2026.
Zhonglian begins operating core services in China in mid-November 2026.
Roadmap
The expansion of this network underscores a critical shift toward digital sovereignty in the automotive supply chain. By moving away from fragmented proprietary systems, the industry is aligning toward a unified, cross-border standard for managing parts and emissions data.
Automotive companies leveraging these systems can expect quality management and certificate management processes to pay for themselves in under one year. Standardized data practices are estimated to generate up to €220 in gross annual savings per vehicle produced.
The takeaway
The rapid adoption of standardized data exchange indicates that digital interoperability is becoming a competitive necessity rather than an elective feature. Businesses looking to stay integrated in global supply chains should prioritize establishing data sovereignty protocols to meet rising manufacturer requirements.
What happens next
Catena-X will celebrate its fifth anniversary in Munich on October 15, 2026, and Zhonglian will take over core service operations in China in mid-November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on current industry standards, visit the Auto Parts section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Automotive Logistics.
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