Batteries power everything around us, from smartphones to smart homes, from wearable tech to electric vehicles and public transport. All thanks to major innovations and a supply chain that spans the world. And that’s where things get complicated. 

Critical raw materials required for batteries are not evenly distributed worldwide. Asia, notably China, plays a crucial role in the lithium-ion battery supply chain, encompassing everything from mining to manufacturing to innovation. Indonesia is becoming a central hub for battery production, capitalizing on its status as the world's largest nickel producer.

Meanwhile, with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. is enhancing its capacities in securing minerals and expanding domestic production. Europe, despite its resource limitations, leads in innovation and electrification, driven by stringent environmental policies.

As battery costs sink and technology advances, nations increasingly view battery technology as vital for national security and economic competitiveness. Demand for batteries will only further increase because they’re crucial in getting countries to meet climate goals by storing renewable energy when it’s produced, but not yet used. 

This transition is shaping new geopolitical relationships and, with that, creating opportunity for new dependencies and conflicts.

In A Closer Look at Batteries, we explore Asia's driving role in battery production and innovation and look at the broader impact this has on global trade, geopolitics, sustainability, and the battery in your next car, phone, or portable speaker.

Join us online and get up to speed with the latest insights from Marina Yue Zhang, Associate Professor at the Australia-China Relations Institute of the University of Technology, Sydney; and Duo Fu, Vice President, Clean Tech Division, at Rystad Energy.

SPEAKERS

Marina Yue Zhang is an Associate Professor at the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney. Before that, she held positions at the University of New South Wales and Tsinghua University. Marina holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from China’s Peking University, and an MBA and a PhD in innovation studies from the Australian National University. She is the author of three books, including Demystifying China's Innovation Machine: Chaotic Order, co-authored with Mark Dodgson and David Gann (Oxford University Press, 2022). Marina writes articles on the intersection of technology and geopolitics, delving into industries such as semiconductors, critical minerals, smart manufacturing, electric vehicles, and digital economy, and their geopolitical implications.

Duo Fu is Vice President, Clean Tech division, at Rystad Energy, heading the company's Battery Markets research. Based in London, he specializes in battery end-sector research. He works closely with the wider supply chain division based in London, Oslo and Shanghai.

Duo has over nine years of experience in analysis in the metals industry. His specialist focus within the Battery research has been in battery supply, demand, and cost analysis.

A Closer Look is organized by Asia Society Switzerland in partnership with DKSH.