HEG Ltd, an LNJ Bhilwara group company, commemorating its golden 50th year in synthetic graphite manufacturing, has announced plans to invest INR 1000 Cr (appx.) over the next three years to set up a manufacturing facility of graphite anode for lithium–ion batteries. The upcoming plant will cater to 10-12 GWh of cell manufacturing capacity and the investment will be executed through its newly incorporated, wholly-owned subsidiary: The Advanced Carbons Company (TACC). However, it is subject to statutory approvals.
The investment, according to HEG, will be made in two phases: Phase 1 is expected to be operational by 2025 with an investment of INR 1000 Cr (appx) and in Phase 2, the company is planning to double the capacity with another INR 1000 Cr (appx).
HEG is aiming to finish both the phases in the next 5 to 7 years, thanks to its decades of experience in the graphite and advanced carbon chemistry fields. The company is likely to create 400 new jobs with this project.
Anode is one of the most crucial elements in the production of cells, accounting for roughly 10-15% of its cost. For every GWh of Li-ion cell production, 1,100 tonnes of graphite anode is needed. Synthetic graphite anode offers improved performance and uniformity and has gradually eclipsed natural graphite as an anode material for Li-ion batteries. The lithium-ion battery, which makes up 40–50% of the overall cost, is the most expensive part of an electric car.
