Plans to build an 8GWh lithium battery plant in Thailand have begun with a joint venture agreement between zero emission vehicle pioneer Evlomo Incorporated and Rojana Industrial Park.
The batteries will be for electric four-wheelers, buses, heavy vehicles, two-wheelers, and energy storage solutions for Thailand and the global market.
The companies will invest up to $1.06 billion through a new joint venture company, with Rojana— a joint venture between Japan’s Nippon Steel and Sumikin Bussan Corporation, and Thailand’s Vinichbutr’s Group — owning 55% shares and the remaining owned by Evlomo.
Work on the first stage— a 1GWH plant at a cost of $143 million— is expected to take place this year.
The battery plant will be on a greenfield manufacturing site at Nong Yai, Chonburi, in the the Eastern Economic Corridor region of the country.
The battery plant is expected to establish Nong Yai as an electric vehicle hub of Thailand and Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) region.
The technical aspects of the project will be led by Dr. Li Qiyong and Dr. Xu.
Dr. Li Qiyong is the former vice-president of LG Chemicals’ (Korea) battery research and development, and has more than 20 years of experience working on lithium-ion/lithium-ion polymer batteries.
