Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (centre) tours the manufacturing facility of INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn Bhd in Bertam today. (Facebook pic)GEORGE TOWN: Malaysia has been picked for Asean鈥檚 largest low-carbon separator manufacturing facility, with the official launch of Chinese firm INV New Material Technology (M) Sdn Bhd in Bertam today.The advanced manufacturing facility at the Penang Technology Park @ Bertam in Kepala Batas will produce separators, a critical component in lithium-ion batteries.Once fully operational by June 2027, the facility is expected to produce two billion sq/m of separators annually, capturing an estimated 15% of the global market share.The facility is expected to see a total investment of RM6.4 billion over two phases.鈥淭his will not only be the largest low-carbon separator plant in Asean, but also a key contributor to the global energy transition,鈥 said Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow at the launch.He said the project is expected to create 1,500 skilled jobs, in line with the state鈥檚 goal of strengthening expertise in high-value industries.鈥淲e are happy INV came to Penang to invest and brought their partners to Malaysia. This will drive our investment and industrial development,鈥 he said.Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, INV is expanding into Southeast Asia to serve global clients, potentially including the US and Europe.The Penang facility, INV鈥檚 largest operation outside China, will utilise advanced production lines sourced from Germany, Japan and China, according to INV CEO Liu Rui.The company also signed a memorandum of understanding with Universiti Sains Malaysia yesterday to collaborate on research and innovation.It has also recruited more than 40 graduate students from USM and other local institutions. They will undergo training in China and return to support research, development and production in Penang.INV has also pledged to invest over RM10 million over the next five years in community development, infrastructure, and public welfare initiatives.