Himadri Chem partners with Sicona for India's first silicon carbon plant

Time of India

13-05-2025

Kolkata:
Himadri Speciality Chemical
is planning to set up India's first
silicon carbon plant
soon, following its technology licensing partnership with
Sicona
, an Australian next-gen battery materials company.Per the agreement, Himadri would have the right to access, localise and commercialise Sicona's proprietary silicon-carbon anode technology in India.
This technology is widely regarded as one of the most promising advancements in
lithium-ion battery
performance globally, Himadri Chemicals chairman and MD Anurag Chowdhary said.In 2023, the Kolkata-based company invested Rs 58 crore to acquire a 12.5% stake in Sicona through a wholly owned SPV, Elixir Carbo Private Limited. Now, it has further invested Rs 81 crore in Sicona through compulsory convertible notes.Chowdhary said this technology had advantages like higher mileage.
Unlike conventional anode materials, Sicona's SiCx® material, when used in conjunction with traditional graphite (typically in proportions of 5–20%), significantly enhances both energy density (+20%) and charging performance (+40%).
This means greater mileage per single charge for
electric vehicles
and rapid charging times, directly addressing two of the biggest consumer concerns in EV adoption.The plant was likely to be in Odisha, and the company was now working on the investment, Chowdhary said.
He noted that this partnership came at a pivotal moment for both India and the world."As countries seek to localise battery manufacturing and reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains, Himadri's partnership with Sicona places India on the technological frontline of the energy transition.
SiCx® is a transformational product that can be seamlessly integrated into existing lithium-ion battery anode formulations, offering a scalable and commercially viable path to significantly improved battery performance," he added.