ASEAN Battery Conference Proposes Unified Regional Battery Ecosystem

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Last Updated on: 29th August 2025, 11:08 am

The 3rd ASEAN Battery Technology Conference (ABTC) recently wrapped up at the SAii Laguna Phuket in Thailand, marking a significant step toward a unified regional battery ecosystem and accelerating collaboration in clean energy. Attracting a broad international audience, the event drew over 340 participants from more than 20 countries across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America.

Co-hosted by the Thailand Energy Storage Technology Association (TESTA) and five other leading battery and EV organizations, the conference served as a critical platform for major strategic announcements and partnerships that underscore the region’s collective ambition.

A major highlight was the official launch of the ASEAN Battery Safety Network (ABSN), a new initiative to standardize safety practices across the region. Dr. Sing Yang Chiam, Technical Director of the Singapore Battery Consortium, and lead for the new network, spoke on its importance.

“We are grateful for the strong support from ASEAN leaders in establishing the ASEAN Battery Safety Network, a critical first step in our collective journey to address battery safety challenges across the region,” Sing said. “ABSN was established to drive cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the advancement of battery safety science, laying the foundation for safer deployment and use of battery technologies while reinforcing ASEAN’s position in the global battery value chain.”

The ABSN also announced a strategic partnership with UL Standards & Engagement (ULSE) to support its mission and enable faster, safer deployment of battery technologies.

The conference was energized by a series of significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signings that cemented cross-border collaboration and innovation. For instance, Amphenol and the Thailand Standard Swappable Battery Consortium signed a deal to standardize swappable battery packs. To advance grid-scale energy solutions, Singamas Container Holdings and Zhejiang Narada Power Source teamed up to develop and deploy Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the ASEAN region.

A new strategic alliance formed between NextGEN Energy, Sineng Electric, Green Tenaga, and Half Bridge Automation will work to enhance Euro-Grid infrastructure with intelligent energy storage solutions. Additionally, Hytzer Energy and INV Corporation established a framework to accelerate the development and commercialization of solid-state battery technology. Finally, a partnership was solidified between Indonesia’s National Battery Research Institute (NBRI) and Malaysia’s NanoMalaysia Berhad (NMB) to advance technology transfer, research, and standardization within the regional battery ecosystem.

In a statement about the conference, Dr. Pimpa Limthongkul, Co-founder and President of TESTA, said, “ABTC 2025 marks a defining moment for ASEAN as we accelerate regional collaboration to drive innovation, safety, and sustainability in next-generation battery technologies. It reflects Thailand’s intention in building a resilient energy storage economy and ASEAN’s collective ambition to power clean mobility and robust energy systems.”

The conference also announced a new collaborative whitepaper, “Navigating the Battery-Related Landscape in Southeast Asia and Beyond.” Co-authored by six ASEAN and two other organizations, the paper offers a detailed analysis of the region’s battery, EV, and BESS sectors, covering everything from the value chain to regulatory policies and end-of-life battery management.

Officially opened by Samawit Supanpai, Deputy Governor of Phuket, the event concluded with insightful panel discussions and a plenary speech by Nobel Laureate Prof. M. Stanley Whittingham on the future of lithium batteries and the challenges of localized manufacturing.

“Thailand and Asia are building on regional strength, turning crisis into opportunities. We are accelerating the development of EVs because we no longer just assemble them—we’re now building batteries from the cell level up. This fills a key missing link in our supply chain and positions Asia as a leader in clean energy,” Pongpol Yodmuangcharoen, Secretary to the Minister of Industry, said as he highlighted a pivotal strategic shift for Thailand and the wider region.

He also emphasized three core principles for future-ready industries: Transparency, Innovation, and Circularity, which are designed to transform trade pressures into bargaining power and waste into value.

“We are confident that ABTC 2026 in Penang, Malaysia, will build on this momentum by bringing together industry leaders across the comprehensive battery and EV value chain. The event will span the entire supply and value chain of these industries,” Dr. Rezal Khairi Bin Ahmad, CEO at NanoMalaysia Berhad said reflected on the progress of the biennial event.