Powering India Forward: Indo National 's Strategic Vision

India's battery manufacturing sector is at a present phase, emerging as a participant in the nation’s shift towards energy transition and self-reliance. With the government's "Make in India" initiative and a growing focus on sustainable energy, domestic companies are increasing efforts to meet the increase in demand for batteries, particularly in the context of electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy storage.

At the involvement of this movement is Indo National Limited (INL), the manufacturer of the consumer battery brand Nippo. The company’s manufacturing facility in Tada, Andhra Pradesh, is part of India’s growing battery manufacturing industry. With an annual production capacity with an annual production capacity of 600 million batteries, the ISO 9001:2015 certified plant spans more than 56 acres, reflecting the company’s consistent focus to both quality and scale.

“Our Tada facility represents a significant milestone in achieving self-reliance in battery manufacturing,” says Pavan Kumar BVS, CEO of Indo National Limited. “By producing a large portion of our products locally, we’re not only fostering job creation and skill development but also playing a role in reducing our dependency on imports.”

As India progresses with its energy transition goals, Indo National Limited is placing a focus on sustainability. The company has invested in in-house solar power generation to meet its energy needs, in line with the country’s national clean energy plan. In addition, the company is exploring avenues for battery recycling, working with startups specializing in e-waste management, and working to support to the circular economy.

Yet, scaling up battery manufacturing in India comes with challenges, including global supply shortages and price volatility driven by high demand for key materials concentrated in a few regions. These dependencies expose supply chains to geopolitical risks. To counter this, Indo National Limited is focusing on vendor development and strategic partnerships to secure alternative sources and technologies. “Building strong relationships with suppliers and exploring innovative technologies are essential for maintaining a resilient supply chain,” Pavan Kumar notes.

Use of manufacturing technology is another part of INL’s manufacturing process. The company is using manufacturing techniques such as glue sealing and modern assembly lines used in production processes. “As new products are added to India’s Quality Control Order (QCO), which mandates Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification, INL ensures that all our products meet rigorous safety, quality, and regulatory standards," adds Pavan Kumar.

Given the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries and other technologies, INL is looking into partnerships and research activities. The company is currently in talks to acquire a stake in a domestic lithium-ion cell manufacturer, joining into India’s developing energy storage market. INL is also studying battery chemistries, including solid-state, sodium-ion, and zinc-air batteries, known for their safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental advantages.

“Innovation lies at the core of our strategy,” says Pavan Kumar. “Through collaborations with academic institutions and startups, we aim to co-develop scalable, future-proof solutions that meet a diverse range of energy needs.”

Looking ahead, INL is working on supporting India’s energy independence and environmental goals. It is investing in lithium-ion cell production and evaluating backward integration into Cathode Active Material (CAM) under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to increase local production. Additionally, INL’s ReSpark initiative is setting up processes for battery collection and recycling—starting with dry cells and expanding to lithium-ion batteries—while also exploring the recovery of critical materials like lithium and cobalt to participate in recycling efforts.

“Our long-term vision is to be a leader in sustainable energy solutions,” concludes Pavan Kumar. “By aligning our strategies with national goals and continuously innovating, we’re committed to playing a pivotal role in India’s journey towards energy self-reliance.”