Shyam Metalics debuts in the lithium-ion cell manufacturing market with battery-grade aluminium foil

Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited, a notable integrated metal manufacturer, has made a significant entrance into the energy storage market with its battery-grade aluminium foil, a fundamental component in lithium-ion cells.

Shyam Metalics & Energy Ltd. is a well-known integrated metal manufacturer based in India, with three production sites located in West Bengal, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. The company produces a variety of long steel goods, including sponge iron, billets, TMT bars, wire rods, and ferroalloys. Additionally, the firm manufactures pellets, pig iron, and ductile iron pipes.

The company has a substantial presence in India and exports its products to other countries, such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and the Middle East. Shyam Metalics & Energy Ltd boasts a vast distribution network and caters to various sectors, including construction, infrastructure, automobiles, and engineering.

The Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Brij Bhushan Agarwal, commented: "We are thrilled to foray into manufacturing battery foil and support the government to mobilize resources to indigenize battery cell manufacturing. We believe that India's energy transformation will skyrocket as we delve into lithium-ion battery foil manufacturing, supporting the government's efforts to localize battery cell production."

With an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes, the Kolkata-based firm manufactures and exports aluminium foil for a range of industrial applications. 1GWh (Gigawatt-hour) of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) cells, which power a broad range of electric cars and energy storage devices, requires 350 tonnes of high-quality and uniform-thickness aluminium foil, which works as a positive (cathode) current collector. The demand for sodium-ion batteries, which utilize aluminium foil as both positive and negative current collectors, is predicted to double.

Shyam Metalics' customized battery aluminium foil, with thicknesses ranging from 12-micron to 20-micron, has been verified and certified by third-party labs. India's demand for electric vehicles and green energy solutions has led to an increase in imports of lithium-ion batteries, with the country spending $1.8 billion to import 5,486.18 kWh between April and November 2022, compared to $1.83 billion in 2021-22.