What are your priorities as the President of IBMA?
As the new President, my immediate focus is on a few key areas. My primary focus is on strengthening our advocacy efforts and team up with policymakers to create a setting that boosts growth, job creation and innovation. And, with environmental concerns on the rise, I'm pushing for eco-friendly practices in the industry when it comes to handling waste. As technology continues to evolve quickly, I think it is crucial to tackle the skills gap in our workforce. Plus, I’ll be working to support training programmes and encourage collaboration with academic institutions and startups to help position India as a global leader in battery innovation.
Battery manufacturers face challenges such as raw material sourcing, supply chain disruptions, and environmental regulations. How do you view these challenges, and how is the association helping its members address them?
As the President of the IBMA, I would like to emphasise that the supply chain of Lead acid battery industry is the most robust one given the highest commercial readiness level of this technology. However, as a part of IBMA, we are keeping a close eye on the same considering the unforeseen circumstances and to remain highly competitive in the business.
To secure our supply chain and raw material sourcing we actively work towards promoting recycling initiatives to recover lead from used batteries, thereby reducing dependency on new lead mining. We are also collaborating with industry stakeholders to develop more resilient supply chains, which involves diversifying suppliers, investing in local manufacturing capabilities, and leveraging technology to improve logistics and inventory management
Furthermore, to adhere to the environmental regulations IBMA provide guidance on best practices for environmental compliance. This includes organising training sessions, sharing technological advancements that minimise environmental impact, and advocating for policies that balance environmental protection with industry growth.
With rapid advancements in battery technology, manufacturers must continuously innovate to improve energy density, charging speed, durability, and safety. How is the association helping its members stay up-to-date with these evolving trends and support their innovation efforts?
As a part of IBMA, it is our endeavor to make Lead Acid Batteries as the most robust technology, stretching it to its limit on all aspects including its performance parameters as highlighted. That is the very purpose of IBMA. To address the energy density, charging speed, durability of this technology, it is very important that all Indian battery manufacturers put forward their effort together to bring this technology to the level where Lead Acid Batteries become the strongest and most unparalleled storage technology. To achieve this, we are continuously focusing on continuous engagement among the member organizations and share the advancements to take the benefit of our collective wisdom. Our team is organizing technical webinars where not only the technical advancements but also evolving market scenarios and laying roadmaps for the future are discussed. Our engagement also involves discussing newer strategies to address the techno-commercial aspects arising out of the new application demands. However, in the safety domain, lead acid is the safest technology among all the commercial technologies, but given the rising application demands we are continuously working towards making batteries safer.
What kind of support do you expect from the government to foster advancements and innovation in battery technologies?
Lead Acid Batteries, with a history spanning over one and a half centuries, are widely regarded as one of the safest and most mature technologies in the market. However, IBMA believes that the true potential of Lead Acid Batteries is yet to be fully realized through further innovations.
Despite their long-standing presence, public awareness of the key features of Lead Acid Batteries, such as their safety and economic advantages compared to alternative chemistries, remains limited. To address this, the IBMA actively engages in dialogues with government agencies to highlight and communicate these benefits more effectively.
We also advocate for the inclusion of Advanced Lead Acid Batteries in incentive schemes typically reserved for advanced alternative chemistries, such as the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. These measures are essential to fostering an innovative landscape and are crucial for advancing the exploration of new materials, advanced manufacturing processes, technologies, and smart accessories. Such advancements aim to enhance the lifespan, energy density, and recharge efficiency of Lead Acid Batteries.
We greatly appreciate the Central Financial Assistance and Innovative Projects provided under the ‘PM Surya Ghar Yojana.’ These initiatives empower industry leaders in the Lead Acid Battery sector to innovate and deliver cutting-edge solutions.
As EV adoption grows, recycling and disposing of used batteries is becoming more important. What is the role of the association in helping battery manufacturers establish effective recycling processes?
The rapid growth of India’s EV market, which is projected to reach over 40% penetration by 2031, underscores the importance of sustainable battery management. IBMA focuses primarily on the Electric 3-Wheeler (E-rickshaws) and Electric 2-Wheeler markets. The recycling and disposal of these batteries are governed by clear guidelines under the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) and other regulatory bodies, ensuring manufacturers comply with statutory requirements.
IBMA regularly reviews compliance requirements in collaboration with its members and government bodies to ensure a streamlined disposal process. Additionally, IBMA engages in dialogues with recyclers through organizations such as the Indian Lead Zinc Development Association (ILZDA) and the International Lead Association (ILA).
One of the standout features of Lead Acid Battery chemistry is its exceptional recyclability, which is the highest among all battery chemistries available in the market. This has led to a robust recycling ecosystem in India. Under the Central Pollution Control Board’s registration, there are 672 authorized Lead Battery recyclers, ensuring that all Lead Batteries are recycled sustainably, thereby supporting a strong circular economy.
With the growing demand for energy storage systems to support renewable energy, battery manufacturers can expand into this area for new revenue streams. How does the association help educate its members on tapping into these opportunities for both manufacturers and customers?
As India progresses towards its mission of becoming carbon-free, the development of renewable energy storage systems is fundamental to ensuring a sustainable future. The country has set an ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. As of 2024, India has reached approximately 200 GW. To meet the 2030 target, an annual addition of 50 GW is required. This necessitates significant advancements and upgrades across all battery manufacturing technologies to meet application requirements.
IBMA is dedicated to ensuring that all lead battery manufacturers are well-informed about the evolving landscape, new requirements, and the necessary performance and cost targets for the coming years in the Battery Energy Storage sector. To facilitate this, IBMA is organizing a series of webinars involving all member organizations. These webinars will address new norms, upcoming challenges, and the path forward in terms of technological advancements.
Additionally, IBMA hosts Tech-talks and Ask-the-expert sessions to disseminate specific knowledge on application engineering using lead technology to all Indian battery manufacturers. As IBMA continues to expand, we plan to engage more actively with OEM customers through dialogues and by publishing whitepapers on our official website. These whitepapers will aim to streamline application-specific requirements, such as charging algorithms and logics, or any other technological needs to be incorporated into end-use equipment. This will ensure that field battery performance meets and exceeds user expectations.
As EV adoption grows in regions like Asia, Africa, and Latin America, there are new market opportunities for battery manufacturers. What is the roadmap for Indian battery makers to tap into these markets?For lead-acid batteries, the EV market is primarily focused on e-rickshaws and two-wheelers. In these segments, Asia and Africa present significant growth potential over the next few decades due to their need for economical modes of transport. However, this application segment is highly diverse in terms of technical and commercial requirements and application requirements also vary widely from region to region.
To address this market effectively, IBMA is planning to push Indian battery manufacturers to adopt following strategies:
Understanding Local Market Demands: Market research to comprehend the specific needs and preferences of each region.
Building Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with local stakeholders, including governments, OEMs, and distributors, to gain insights and facilitate smoother market entry.
Adapting to Regional Regulations: Stay informed about and comply with regional regulations and standards.
Localization of Production: Establish local manufacturing units to reduce production costs and improve supply chain efficiency.
We feel by implementing these strategies, Indian battery manufacturers can better address the diverse and evolving needs of the EV market in Asia and Africa, ensuring sustainable growth and success in these regions.
What are your short/long-term plans for the association?
In the short term, we aim to strengthen our advocacy, boost industry collaboration, and tackle immediate issues like raw material sourcing and supply chain challenges. We will work with the government to secure supportive policies, push for sustainable practices, and back R&D. We will also keep members updated on new technologies and trends.
In the long term, we aim to make India a global leader in battery manufacturing. This includes entering new markets, innovating in advanced battery tech, and creating a sustainable, circular economy for production and recycling. We will focus on workforce development, cleaner energy solutions, and maintaining global competitiveness.
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