Leoch Battery Charts Strategic Growth in ASEAN and Beyond
Singapore-headquartered Leoch Battery is eyeing Southeast Asia as its next major growth engine as it expands its smart energy and battery solutions business globally.
Even as Southeast Asia positions itself as a rising hub for renewable energy and electrification, one of its own companies — Leoch Battery — is aiming to strengthen its regional footprint after achieving significant success across the US, Europe and other global markets.
Speaking to AsiaBizToday on the sidelines of The Battery Show Asia 2025 held in Hong Kong, Robin Li, Chief Technology Officer of Leoch Battery, outlined the company’s strategy to grow its presence in ASEAN, drive innovation from its Singapore base, and develop smart energy infrastructure tailored to the needs of emerging markets.
Born Global, Now Refocusing on Asia
“We’re a Singapore-headquartered company, but ironically, our strongest markets are in Europe and North America,” said Li. “Now, with ASEAN economies evolving quickly, Southeast Asia is a major strategic growth focus.”
Leoch is no newcomer to the global stage. Listed in Hong Kong since the early 2000s and now planning to list its overseas assets in the US later this year, the company has built a strong reputation as a supplier to major telecoms, data centre operators and automative manufacturers across the globe, including Vodafone, Eaton, Schneider, and Ford, etc.
In the Asia-Pacific region, however, the opportunity is just beginning to unfold. “We see growth coming from markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines—especially for commercial and industrial energy storage, EV charging and off-grid solutions,” said Li.
AI Data Centre UPS Battery Systems
Leoch Battery’s compact & high-power-density 6C UPS battery systems provide an exceptional fire safety compliance (UL1973, UL9540A, IEC62619), high rate discharging performance, long cycle life, modular design & configuration, and hassle-free operation solution for AI data centres. At The Battery Show Asia 2025, attendees can discover Leoch Battery’s lithium UPS PU 80/160 series specifically engineered for 5-10 mins short-duration high power backup power applications.
Telecom Network Power Solutions Consisting of Lithium and Sodium-ion Batteries
Designed to meet the evolving power demands of the telecommunications industry, Leoch Battery expands its Lithium Network Power Batteries portfolio. Engineered for superior performance, extended lifespan, and high energy density, these cutting-edge batteries provide reliable, maintenance-free power for a wide range of telecom network power applications.
A highlight of this showcase is the launch of the company’s telecom sodium-ion battery, a safer, superior low-temp performance, and more sustainable alternative for telecom network power infrastructure that eliminates the use of rare metals, reflecting Leoch Battery’s commitment to safer, greener, and more reliable telecom infrastructure.
Global Telecom BMS and AIOT Gateway
Leoch Battery’s telecom lithium battery solutions feature a global version of Battery Management System on international chips & cyber security design. The company’s BMS system also seamlessly integrate with its global AIoT gateway to facilitate remote battery management, enabling cloud-based analysis, configuration and predictive alert capabilities across multiple telecom base station sites and batteries. The software of both BMS and IOT gateway are designed and programmed in Singapore by local Singaporeans, complying to the Singapore government-grade level cyber security guideline and VAPT process.
Smart Energy Management Platform
Leoch Battery is also unveiling its global Energy Management Platform to scale AI to drive global ESS innovations, Smart C&I, EV charging infra, VPP and Micro-Grid Management, across device, site and cloud. The unified platform is also hardware agnostic with Government-grade cyber security standards built in its software, with smart AI algorithm value stacks to maximize the economical benefits and green sustainability.
Behind-the-Meter Strategy for Urban and Off-Grid Growth
Rather than large-scale grid storage projects, Leoch is focusing on “behind-the-meter” solutions — battery systems designed for deployment at the end-user level, such as telecom towers, remote sites, factories, commercial buildings, EV charging stations, data centers and urban city infrastructures like land transportation, airports and ports, etc.
“Power generation-side and grid-side storage are important, but in places like Singapore or Hong Kong, where land and grid capacity are limited, behind-the-meter deployments offer faster returns and better feasibility,” explained Li.
One such example is Leoch’s microgrid ESS project in Sulawesi, Indonesia, which complemented diesel generators with solar and battery-powered systems for an island resort. The result: over 30% diesel savings and the return of marine life such as turtles, which had earlier disappeared due to noise and pollution. “It’s a win for both business and biodiversity,” said Li.
Smart Energy Infrastructure: ASEAN’s Turning Point
With cities across Southeast Asia now facing rising energy demands— especially from data centres and electric vehicles — Li believes smart energy infrastructure is essential.
In Hong Kong, Leoch is working with clients to support the power needs of 300 ultra-fast EV charging sites powered by AI-managed BESS charging energy systems. “The grid can’t handle ultra-fast charging loads everywhere, so we’re using AI to manage and optimise local capacity to overcome the grid intake hurdles. It’s faster and cheaper than upgrading substations,” he said.
The same model is now being extended to ASEAN. “We are in talks in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to replicate this success. The region is ripe for distributed energy & microgrid systems that are intelligent, modular and economically viable,” he added.
R&D, AI & Cybersecurity and Commercialisation from Singapore
Singapore remains at the heart of Leoch’s R&D and innovation engine. From its offices, the company develops its global version of the Battery Management Systems (BMS), Artificial Intelligence (AI) smart Energy Management Systems (EMS) software platform, and IOT based remote monitoring & predictive analytics tools — all aligned with stringent GovTech cybersecurity requirements.
“This gives us a big edge when working with European and American clients who demand high levels of data & cyber security, and we get it tested & validated intensively in Singapore first, and also the economical viability of our solutions against the Smart Nation setup” noted Li. “Singapore is not just our headquarters — it’s our living lab.”
The city-state’s compact geography, educated workforce, and support for innovation make it ideal for global product development. “We’re working on sodium-ion batteries for telecoms first, solid-state batteries for the future, and AI-enhanced EMS (energy management systems) that can be applied across ASEAN and beyond,” he added.
Building a Circular, Sustainable Business
Leoch is also investing in battery recycling and second-life applications, turning sustainability into a growth driver. “We’re not treating recycling as a cost centre — we’re building it into our business model,” said Li.
As ASEAN countries like Indonesia attract investments in nickel and battery production, regional alliances are emerging to standardise recycling and end-of-life battery management. “This is about economic sustainability as much as environmental responsibility,” he added.
Li is candid about the region’s challenges. “In much of ASEAN, the priority is still economic livelihood. If we want clean energy adoption to scale, it has to make commercial sense,” he said.
That’s why Leoch’s strategy is built around practical, quick-deployment solutions that deliver both savings and sustainability. From island microgrids to EV charging platforms, the company is proving that renewables can be viable alternatives to fossil fuels—especially where grid infrastructure is lacking or cannot cope with rapid large scale DC hyperscalers or ultra-fast EV charging power needs.
With support from governments, banks, and academia, the region is poised for what Li describes as “leapfrog development” in energy access and sustainability.
Impact, Innovation, and ASEAN’s Moment
Looking ahead, Li says his own motivation — and that of his team — is rooted in three words: impact, innovation, and passion.
“The future belongs to our young engineers,” said Li, referring to the fresh graduates from Singapore universities working at Leoch. “We’re helping them build solutions for real-world problems. That’s what makes it meaningful.”
While global battery giants dominate the mainstream markets, Leoch’s focus on niche, adaptable, and AI-enhanced systems may prove to be its competitive advantage — especially in dynamic, fast-growing markets like ASEAN.