Pure Battery Technologies to invest $350 million in Batang, Indonesia

Australian firm Pure Battery Technologies (PBT) announced a US$350 million investment to build a precursor cathode active material (PCAM) plant in the Industropolis Batang special economic zone, Central Java. The project, slated to begin construction in 2027 after an engineering phase, is expected to create about 1,000 jobs during construction and around 200 permanent positions once operational. PBT’s chairman Stephen Wilmot said the company will prioritize hiring local workers and will provide training to develop the necessary battery‑industry skills.

The plant will use Indonesian nickel as raw material, aiming to establish a full‑value‑chain for electric‑vehicle batteries, including recycling of end‑of‑life batteries. Expected annual revenue is roughly US$900 million, though the timeline depends on nickel price movements. PBT chose Central Java for its strategic location, large population and potential as a manufacturing hub, noting the new facility will be more than four times the size of its German refining plant.