SOUTHEAST Asia's battery ambitions are moving beyond electric vehicle adoption and raw mineral exports as governments and industry leaders work to build a regional manufacturing ecosystem capable of competing in the global battery market.
That transition will take center stage at the 4th ASEAN Battery Technology Conference (ABTC 2026), scheduled for Aug. 19 to 21 in Sepang, Malaysia. Organized by NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB), the conference will bring together policymakers, manufacturers, researchers and investors under the theme "Industrializing Battery Technologies: Strengthening ASEAN's Battery Value Chain for Global Competitiveness."
Building on previous conferences in Bali, Singapore and Phuket, this year's gathering reflects a broader shift in ASEAN's priorities. Discussions are expected to focus less on promoting electric mobility and more on expanding battery manufacturing, strengthening supply chains, improving safety standards and accelerating commercial deployment.
"We are honored to host ABTC 2026 at a critical point in ASEAN's battery journey," said Prof. (Adj.) Dr. Rezal Khairi Ahmad, chief executive officer of NMB Group.
"The region has strong potential across research, manufacturing, electric mobility, energy storage and circularity, but turning this potential into industrial capability requires closer alignment between governments, industry, researchers and investors. Through ABTC 2026, NMB is proud to welcome regional and international stakeholders to Malaysia as we work together to strengthen ASEAN's battery industry and support its long-term competitiveness."
For years, Southeast Asia has supplied many of the raw materials used in lithium-ion batteries. Indonesia, for example, has some of the world's largest nickel reserves, while other ASEAN countries contribute minerals and components used throughout the battery supply chain. Increasingly, however, governments are seeking to capture more value by developing domestic capabilities in battery chemicals, cell manufacturing, pack assembly and recycling.
Those ambitions are reflected in the conference program, which includes discussions on battery manufacturing, safety, recycling, energy storage systems and market deployment.
One of the region's biggest engineering challenges is developing batteries that can operate reliably in Southeast Asia's hot and humid climate. High temperatures and humidity accelerate battery degradation, making thermal management, cell design and battery management systems critical areas of research.
Technical sessions will examine improvements in cathode coatings, electrolytes and separator materials that could improve battery durability and efficiency under tropical operating conditions. Other presentations will focus on manufacturing scale-up, battery safety testing and recycling technologies designed for regional deployment.
Battery safety will remain another major focus as electric motorcycles, scooters, three-wheelers and stationary energy storage systems become more common across ASEAN. Discussions are expected to build on the ASEAN Battery Safety Network introduced during last year's conference in Phuket by examining battery management systems, destructive testing methods and operational data collected from batteries already in service.
Ts. Dr. Nurul Akmaliah Dzulkurnain, chief executive officer of the International Battery Centre (IBC), said the conference has become an important platform for regional cooperation.
"ABTC has become an important platform because it allows ASEAN countries to look at the battery industry as a shared regional opportunity," she said.
"Each market brings different strengths across policy, research, manufacturing, safety, financing and deployment. The 2026 edition in Malaysia will help strengthen these connections and identify how the region can work more effectively together to build a stronger and more competitive battery industry."
The conference will also feature several strategic agreements intended to strengthen ASEAN's battery ecosystem. Among them are a technology transfer partnership between NanoMalaysia Berhad and the Institution of Engineers, Malaysia, on energy storage development; a supply agreement between GigaFactory Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and Milan Utama to prototype compact battery energy storage systems; a strategic collaboration between Infineon Technologies and Ampace; and a partnership between Green Tenaga and Go Rental Singapore.
Beyond transportation, battery technology is expected to play a growing role in stabilizing electricity grids as ASEAN countries expand renewable energy generation. Large-scale battery energy storage systems are increasingly viewed as essential for balancing intermittent solar and wind power while improving grid reliability.
The conference will also feature internationally recognized experts, including Professor Ying Shirley Meng of the University of Chicago and Argonne National Laboratory, and Professor Khalil Amine, Argonne Distinguished Fellow and director of the Advanced Lithium Battery Technology Program. Regional organizations such as the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii), Pertamina, A*STAR and the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines are also expected to participate.