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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Taiwanese e-vehicle battery maker explores PH expansion

Taiwanese e-vehicle battery maker explores PH expansion

Published Oct 29, 2021 05:39 pm

A Taiwanese manufacturer of lithium-ion polymer batteries for e-vehicles, personal gadgets, household appliances, and industrial facilities is exploring a possible partnership with Filipino firms for potential expansion in the Philippines.

(Left to right) Business manager of the cross-strait collaboration division (ITRI), Sheng-Long Lee; product department manager (Amita Technologies), Jack Chen; Project manager of the energy division storage materials & technology (ITRI); Chairman and Resident Representative (MECO) Wilfredo Fernandez; CEO (Amita Technologies), Jhy-Yeong Gau, Elden Tu; Deputy Resident Representative (MECO) Teodoro Luis Javelosa Jr.; Director for Commercial Affairs (MECO) Anthony Rivera; Executive Officer for Investment & Business (MECO) Terry Lim; and Executive Officer for Economic Cooperation & Innovation (MECO) Lorraine Chua

A statement by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) identified the Taiwanese firm as Amita Technologies.

In the statement, MECO Chairman/Resident Representative Wilfredo Fernandez was quoting Amita Technologies CEO Elden Tu and the company’s Product Development Manager Jack Chen, expressing willingness to bring their products to the Philippines and explore the possibility of putting up its first manufacturing plant in the country.

"The battery's compactness and long lifespan sets it apart from other lithium battery packs. Its laminate film enables a large capacity and the simple structure being lightweight provides the cost competitive advantage," Tu was quoted as saying.

Accompanying Amita officials were representatives from Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), namely Mr. Jhy-Yeong Gau (Project Manager, Division of Energy Storage Materials &Technology) and Mr. Peter Lee (Manager-Industry, Science and Technology International Strategy Center).

Established in 2000, Amita Technologies, Inc. has emerged as one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance Lithium-ion polymer battery in Taiwan. It was founded by Dr. Jim Cheng, who has over 30 years of experience in the battery industry.

Boasting over 60 patents and various international certifications in the manufacture of Lithium-ion polymer batteries, Amita Technologies is one of the companies selected to co-develop a project with ITRI which has won the 2009 R&D 100 Award in enhancing the safety of lithium-ion batteries.

According to Amita, their battery cells have “low impedance, high current, long cycle life and are safe even in the event of overuse.”

Its products are suitable for use in data center UPS units, power banks, power tools, battery-powered vehicles, and energy storage systems for household appliances, commercial or industrial facilities, and smart grids.

Currently, the company has a pilot project in Taoyuan using its battery for e-buses, capable of traveling 80-120 kilometers on a full charge. When charging, the batteries reach up to 80 percent of their capacity in just 20 minutes.

Asked by Chairman/Resident Representative Fernandez if it is possible to swap batteries to enable quick turnaround of the buses, Amita representatives said the batteries are too heavy but it is possible, particularly if the swapping stations are equipped with robots dedicated to such task.

The Philippines has been pushing for the use of more energy-efficient vehicles in the country. There are also two bills pending in Congress for deliberation by the bicameral conference committee to craft cohesive legislation meant to pave the way for the country’s electric vehicle industry.

The House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 10213 or the “Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act”, while the Senate version or the "Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations Act” was approved by the Upper Chamber last 31 May 2021.

These measures seek to make the country a key developer for EVs and other electric mobility-related industries. It aims to provide a regulatory framework for the manufacturing of EVs, generation of employment in the production or manufacture of EVs and their components as well as regulations on the use and placement of charging stations in the country.

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