Aimed at capitalising on the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, Hindalco Industries is set to invest INR 800 crore in a cutting-edge battery foil manufacturing facility near Sambalpur in Odisha. The plant, scheduled to be commissioned by July 2025, will have a production capacity of 25,000 tonnes of high-quality aluminium foil crucial for Lithium-ion and Sodium-ion cells.
The expansion aligns with the company's commitment to supporting India's green initiatives and fostering Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India). The demand for battery-grade aluminium foil in the country is projected to soar to 40,000 tonnes by 2030, propelled by the rapid growth of gigafactories dedicated to advanced cell manufacturing.
Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, highlighted the pivotal role of raw material localisation in strategic sectors such as electric vehicles and grid storage. He expressed optimism about the fast traction in battery materials demand, driven by a promising outlook for the electric vehicle and grid storage sectors.
Hindalco has already achieved a technology breakthrough in battery foil manufacturing at its Mouda unit in Maharashtra, currently in the process of qualifying with lithium-ion cell manufacturers globally. The new Odisha unit aims to further enhance capabilities, ensuring a steady supply to gigafactories worldwide.
The company's expertise in metallurgy, extensive experience in sheet and foil rolling, and access to its aluminium metal supply position it as a formidable player in the EV materials space. Hindalco is actively developing advanced aluminium foils, focusing on mechanical strength, thickness precision, and surface characteristics. The research includes coatings that enhance performance by improving adhesion, reducing resistance, and minimising corrosion.
The Odisha project, strategically located alongside a 25 MW solar power plant and with access to a 400 KV National Grid connection, aligns with the government's green initiative to reduce carbon emissions.
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