LG pulls out of RM37bil Indonesia EV battery project

LG pulls out of RM37bil Indonesia EV battery project

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has pulled out from a Rp142 trillion (RM36.9 billion) deal it signed with the Indonesian government in 2020 – called Indonesia Grand Package – to develop EV battery manufacturing in the country, Reuters reports.

“Taking into account various factors, including market conditions and investment environment, we have agreed to formally withdraw from the Indonesia GP (Grand Package) project. However, we will continue to explore various avenues of collaboration with the Indonesian government, centering on the Indonesia battery joint venture, HLI Green Power,” LGES said in a statement.

HLI Green Power, an LGES-Hyundai Motor Group joint-venture, last year inaugurated Indonesia’s first battery cell production plant with a 10-gigawatt-hour annual capacity, with plans to expand the capacity in the second investment phase.

LG pulls out of RM37bil Indonesia EV battery project

“Even though LG has exited, Indonesia remains convinced our nickel is more competitive than other countries,” energy ministry official Tri Winarno told reporters, adding that the country will continue seeking foreign partners to develop the battery industry.

Indonesia Battery Corporation and miner Aneka Tambang were among the state-controlled firms hoping to partner with LGES; the former went on to establish a joint-venture with CBL, a CATL subsidiary.

News of Hyundai and LG wanting to jointly make EV batteries in Indonesia first surfaced in 2020, and the joint-venture was announced in July 2021 before plant construction began that September. In 2022, the two Korean companies secured US$710 million (RM3.1 billion) in financing for the plant.

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Jonathan James Tan

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

 

Comments

  • Sabri on Apr 22, 2025 at 5:36 pm

    Got new china partner ke

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Phuddi sung Lee on Apr 22, 2025 at 8:00 pm

    Sure Malaysia orang v happy natural maa

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • DonkeyKong on Apr 22, 2025 at 8:50 pm

    Tesla cancelled their investment despite having been positive about it in many negotiations. LG is also pulling out despite previously commiting to this massive investment. LOL.

    People who have done business in Indonesia will understand and not be surprised. They have to fix their systemic problems first.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 1
    • Not only that, But also their history with Corruption and Nepotism is the source of Indonesia’s problems.

      Look at how Indonesia handles Corruption it’s still baffling to this day, not only that their Corruption Perception Index Stagnated.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 12 Thumb down 0
      • Robin Hood on Apr 23, 2025 at 8:45 am

        Stagnate is better than us with Malaysia regressing and getting worse. Big time corrupt politicians not only escaped but also rewarded with powerful govt positions and that is really sick.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 20 Thumb down 11
        • mr1031 on Apr 23, 2025 at 1:42 pm

          than help the legal team with all the proof..dont talk cock only

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
          • Rakyat Malaysia on Apr 24, 2025 at 2:41 pm

            Should have stayed with BN then things wouldnt get so bad today. PH is truly mahakorup

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 1
      • DonkeyKong on Apr 23, 2025 at 12:52 pm

        That is the systemic problems that I meant

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Car ev battery technology is moving away from nickel, new tech battery don’t use nickel anymore….

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
    • Bob Mal on Apr 23, 2025 at 8:33 am

      Even Phones moved to Li-Ion like 2 decades ago or more.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
      • China already created sodium battery. It will be used in smartphone this year and will not just increase battery size but also safer than Li-Ion

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Ben Yap on Apr 23, 2025 at 8:15 am

    yay! rupiah will drop further and can holiday in Indonesia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • kogila on Apr 23, 2025 at 10:14 am

    please dont come to Malaysia. remember Lynas? Remember Papan, Perak? battery factory is not a good thing for us. there are other ways to get money.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Levin on Apr 24, 2025 at 1:55 pm

    Indonesia is famous for their “dirty nickel” plan mainly located in Morowali and a few other locations. Some counties and car companies have banned raw earth materials coming from Indonesia due to this “dirty nickel” syndicate. Serves them right!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Nickel is no longer future. Right now sodium battery is the future

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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