While the EU has a strong position in the intermediate and assembly phases of making electrolysers, it relies on China for fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries crucial for electric vehicles.

The Singapore-headquartered firm also plans to set up research and development centres in the UK and the Philippines.

Indonesia had previously wooed Tesla for investment in its nickel industry, looking to produce and supply batteries for its EVs.

The factory will be Samsung SDI's second in Malaysia, with the first making cylindrical batteries for electric vehicle customers.