KEPALA BATAS, June 29 – China’s INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn Bhd has officially launched its RM3.2 billion manufacturing facility in Penang, positioning Malaysia as a strategic player in the global lithium-ion battery supply chain.
The state-of-the-art plant, located on a 26.7ha site at Penang Technology Park @ Bertam, will produce advanced wet-process and coated battery separators, critical components for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems and consumer electronics.
Once fully completed, the facility is expected to be the largest of its kind in the world.
As a unit of Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co Ltd, INV New Material’s investment underscores growing global confidence in Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities.
Company chairman Datuk Chen Xiu Feng said Penang offers the perfect industrial environment and geographic advantage to serve Southeast Asia and beyond.
“This launch reflects our commitment to making Malaysia a hub for battery technology innovation with the goal of providing high-performance products with localised service to international clients,” Chen added.
The Penang plant marks the first phase of a total RM6.4 billion investment, with Phase 2 already under construction and targeted for completion by 2027.
At full capacity, the plant aims to deliver two billion sqm of battery separators annually, securing an estimated 15% share of the global market.
Speaking at the inauguration, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow welcomed the project as a major boost to the state’s high-tech and green industry ecosystem. The plant is expected to create 1,200 skilled jobs and foster partnerships with local universities to promote research and innovation in battery technologies.
The launch further strengthens Malaysia’s ambitions to become a regional hub for sustainable technology and next-generation manufacturing, reinforcing its appeal to global investors in the EV and clean energy sectors.
