China's BTR Expands Global Footprint with New Anode Material Plant in Indonesia

Chinese battery material producer BTR has inaugurated its first overseas anode material plant in Indonesia, marking a significant step in the company’s global expansion strategy. Located in central Sulawesi, the plant is set to bolster the supply chain for lithium-ion batteries across Indonesia and the broader ASEAN region.

The new facility boasts a total production capacity of 160,000 metric tonnes per year (t/yr) of anode material, with the first phase, launched today, contributing 80,000 t/yr. This initial phase required an investment of $478 million, according to BTR Chairman He Xueqin. "The commencement of this plant will fill a crucial gap in anode material production for lithium-ion batteries, not only in Indonesia but across the ASEAN region, strengthening the entire new energy lithium battery industry chain," He stated.

This Indonesian project is BTR’s first operational venture outside of China, but the company is not stopping there. BTR Mediterranean, a subsidiary, broke ground on a new plant in Tangier, Morocco, on April 8th. This facility, designed to produce 50,000 t/yr of cathode materials, represents another strategic move to expand BTR's influence in the global battery materials market, though its commissioning date remains unannounced.

BTR continues to grow its production capacity within China as well. On June 16th, the company launched the first phase of an anode material plant in Lijiang, Yunnan province, which will eventually have a total capacity of 200,000 t/yr. The initial phase, with a capacity of 50,000 t/yr, began construction in May 2022. Additionally, BTR is on track to start production at another anode material plant in Shanxi province by the end of this year, which will add 40,000 t/yr to its capacity.

In 2023, BTR’s overall production capacity for anode materials reached 477,500 t/yr, a 45.6 percent increase from the previous year. The company produced 376,899 tonnes of anode materials in 2023, up 10.7 percent year-on-year.