Korean battery makers LG and Hyundai will see their share of Indonesia’s battery manufacture fall below 30%, losing significant ground to Chinese rivals by the end of 2027.

President Prabowo has launched 11 nickel and battery projects worth $10.2 billion at Weda Bay, while Indonesia has also shipped its first domestically made EV batteries. The expansion favours battery makers with access to local nickel, as Jakarta cuts its 2026 quota by about 30% and prioritises projects that process their own metal. Chinese battery-makers REPT Battero and CATL are particularly well positioned because their battery plants sit alongside Indonesian nickel-chemical facilities, giving easier access to raw material. Meanwhile, LG withdrew from a $8.45 billion project to integrate with Indonesian mines in 2025. This reduced access to cheaper local inputs will hinder Korean battery makers compared to their Chinese counterparts.