CATL-led Indonesia Battery Integration Project breaks ground—US $6 billion for a full value-chain hub

• CATL and Indonesian partners break ground on a US $6 bn integrated nickel-to-recycling battery complex; 6.9 GWh phase-one output due by end-2026.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd (CATL) and Indonesian partners have started construction of Southeast Asia’s largest battery-industry complex, stretching from nickel mining to cell recycling.

Project snapshot

Why it matters

• End-to-end security: Vertically integrating mining, refining, cathode production, cell assembly and recycling reduces supply-chain risk and trims logistics emissions. 

• “Lighthouse” manufacturing: CATL will transplant its extreme-automation know-how to Karawang, aiming for lights-out lines and high first-pass yields. 

• Nickel leverage: East Halmahera’s ore feeds the complex, aligning with Indonesia’s push to monetise the world’s largest nickel reserves in the EV era. 

• Job engine: The project is forecast to support more than 40 000 Indonesian livelihoods, accelerating regional development goals. 

• Energy-transition catalyst: Initial 6.9 GWh output will serve domestic EV assembly and export markets; future phases could hit 40 GWh and include stationary-storage batteries.

Next milestones

1. Civil works (2025-26): Foundations and utilities at both North Maluku and West Java sites.

2. Equipment installation (mid-2026): Indigenous deposition, coating and pack lines verified under “dark-factory” protocols.

3. Trial production (Q4 2026): Qualification runs for 2170/4680 cylindrical and prismatic formats.

4. Ramp & recycle loop (2027-28): Full throughput, nickel hydroxide conversion, and closed-loop battery material recovery.