Malaysia & Indonesia launch lithium-ion battery cell

The 4th ASEAN Battery Technology Conference has opened in Sepang, Malaysia, marking the launch of a Malaysia-Indonesia lithium-ion battery pouch cell and six industry partnerships.

The event brought together policymakers, manufacturers, researchers and investors from across Southeast Asia as governments and companies seek to turn battery research into manufacturing projects and commercial products. Organiser NanoMalaysia described the conference as a sign of growing industrial activity, investment and supply chain integration across ASEAN.

Malaysia's Science, Technology and Innovation Minister used the opening to call for closer regional coordination. "ASEAN's strength lies in our ability to complement one another through research, manufacturing, standards development, investment, and market integration. By working together, we can build a resilient regional value chain that benefits all our economies," said Datuk Chang Lih Kang, Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation, Malaysia.

Battery production has become a strategic priority in the region as governments seek a larger role in electric vehicles, energy storage and related materials processing. ASEAN countries occupy different positions in the supply chain, from raw materials and active materials to research, testing, cell design and system integration, making cross-border cooperation a recurring theme at the conference.

Cross-Border Cell

A key announcement on the opening day was the launch of the Malaysia-Indonesia NMC-graphene lithium-ion pouch cell. The project combines Indonesian work in NMC active material production with Malaysian expertise in graphene, battery formulation and cell development.

The pouch cell follows a collaboration framework agreed by NanoMalaysia and Indonesia's National Battery Research Institute at the previous edition of the conference. The arrangement covers technology transfer, joint research, testing, standardisation, education and industrial training.

The launch is one of the clearest examples so far of how ASEAN partners are trying to divide work according to national strengths rather than build separate battery ecosystems. For Malaysia, it also supports a broader effort to link domestic research with pilot manufacturing and industrial deployment.

Prof. (Adj.) Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad outlined that position in his remarks at the event. "Hosting ABTC 2026 in Malaysia is significant because ASEAN already has considerable technical capabilities and innovation strengths across the region. The priority now is how we scale, integrate and commercialise them. Malaysia has been building the infrastructure to move technologies from research into pilot and industrial application, but no single market can build the battery economy alone. ABTC gives us the opportunity to connect capabilities across ASEAN, develop stronger cross-border pathways and collectively build an industry that can compete globally," said Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, NMB Group.

Commercial Agreements

Alongside the pouch cell launch, participants announced six partnerships covering battery systems, manufacturing and materials. Several involved GigaFactory Malaysia, underlining its role in local battery manufacturing plans.

One agreement pairs GigaFactory Malaysia with Milan Utama to prototype compact battery energy storage systems. Another links Infien Energy with Ampace to explore opportunities in the battery sector.

Green Tenaga and Go Rental Singapore also announced a partnership focused on energy solutions and wider adoption of low-emission technologies. A separate arrangement involving Neoron Energy Network, Aryva Energy, Nano Commerce and GigaFactory Malaysia was presented as an effort to support the development and commercialisation of battery and energy storage products.

Two further agreements focus on manufacturing and materials. GigaFactory Malaysia and Axium Industries will work on the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in battery manufacturing and supply chain management, while GigaFactory Malaysia and Montavista Energy Technologies Corporation agreed to collaborate on higher-energy-density battery development, recycling, manufacturing and market development.

Malaysia's Push

Malaysia has been trying to strengthen its position in battery and energy storage through programmes such as the NanoMalaysia Energy Storage Technology Initiative and the Hydrogen-EV-Battery Centre. Those efforts cover research, prototyping, testing, validation and pilot-scale manufacturing.

The country has also promoted its graphene-enhanced lithium-ion battery work as part of an effort to build a domestic industrial base around locally developed intellectual property. Hosting the conference gave Malaysia an opportunity to present those efforts as part of a wider ASEAN production network rather than a stand-alone national push.

Discussion on the opening day also covered battery safety, manufacturing scale-up, energy storage, circularity and emerging technologies. Speakers included academics from the University of Chicago and Argonne National Labouratory, alongside representatives from regional institutions and industry bodies.

Ts. Dr. Nurul Akmaliah Bt Dzulkurnain said the conference has become a meeting point for countries with different roles in the market. "ABTC has become an important platform for ASEAN stakeholders to explore shared opportunities within the battery industry. Each country brings unique strengths across policy, research, manufacturing, safety, and deployment. By connecting these capabilities across the region, we can work towards building a more resilient and competitive battery ecosystem," said Dzulkurnain, Chief Executive Officer, International Battery Centre.