Image: CATL

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has officially commenced construction on a US$6 billion battery materials ecosystem project in Indonesia.

The large-scale project is a joint initiative between CATL, Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC), and PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), and is situated in Karawang Regency, West Java. The development represents one of the most significant foreign investments in Indonesia’s growing EV and battery supply chain.

At the heart of the ecosystem is a battery cell manufacturing plant with a planned capacity of 15 gigawatt-hours (GWh). According to Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, this capacity could support the production of 250,000 to 300,000 electric vehicles annually. The project will also include facilities for producing battery storage systems for solar panels, reinforcing Indonesia’s commitment to renewable energy integration.

Beyond the Karawang battery plant, the project will also encompass the development of nickel mines, smelters, and a battery precursor facility in Halmahera, North Maluku province—a region rich in critical minerals essential to the battery industry.

This initiative forms part of Indonesia’s broader strategy to promote downstream investments in mineral processing, battery manufacturing, and EV production, aiming to transform the country into a key player in the global clean energy supply chain.