In an interview, Mr. Anurag Choudhary, CMD & CEO of Himadri Speciality Chemical, discusses India’s transition from battery assembly dependence to true manufacturing leadership. He highlights Himadri’s breakthroughs in anode materials, global collaborations, silicon-carbon tech, advanced R&D, recycling innovations, and the revival of Birla Tyres for EV mobility. He emphasises how these steps position India for a stronger, cleaner and self-reliant energy and mobility future.
Read the full interview here:
AET: Himadri is set to be India’s first producer of lithium-ion battery anode material. What does this mean for India’s EV and energy storage future?
Anurag: India has been relying almost entirely on imports for the core of battery technology, merely assembling the products, but the intellectual and technological ownership lay elsewhere. That era is fast changing, and that shift is what this moment aptly represents.
We now see a far sharper intent across both government and Indian industry to build real manufacturing capability, not just at the final-assembly stage but also deep within the value chain itself. Policies like Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Programme, PM E-Drive and EV30@30 have set the direction, but what matters more is the execution we see on the ground.
For Himadri, entering the anode and cathode materials space is far from a cosmetic extension. These advanced materials are the components that fundamentally define how a battery performs over its lifetime. Manufacturing them in India strengthens supply security, reduces strategic vulnerability and positions us as playing a more meaningful role globally.
AET: How does your investment in International Battery Company (IBC) strengthen Himadri’s global battery materials roadmap?
Anurag: Our association with IBC is not driven by short-term objectives but by a shared strategic vision. IBC’s deep expertise in chemistry agnostic prismatic cell and battery systems, combined with our leadership in material science creates a powerful and complementary partnership.
The Prabal 1000 batteries have already demonstrated excellent performance, and the forthcoming Prabal 2000 series – being built using our materials, is the next logical step. Their Bengaluru Giga-factory is being developed in partnership with Mahanagar Gas Ltd (a subsidiary of GAIL) will help scale these solutions for the Indian market.
The move toward LFP chemistry makes strong sense for Indian conditions, both from stability and cost perspectives.
This collaboration gradually moves us closer to the end application of our materials and allows us to contribute more meaningfully across the battery ecosystem.
AET: The partnership with Sicona brings advanced silicon-carbon anode tech to India. How will this boost battery performance and local manufacturing?
Anurag: Sicona brings to India a truly advanced technology that is already attracting global attention from the battery industry. Silicon-carbon anodes offer a major leap in energy density and charging efficiency, and being able to produce this technology domestically is a significant milestone.
For end users, the advantages are clear — longer driving range and faster charging. These directly address two of the biggest concerns still holding back wider EV adoption.
However, the deeper impact lies in capability building. Becoming the first manufacturer globally to produce this material in an environmentally sound manner- demonstrates that India’s industrial setup can operate at a premium technology level. It instils greater confidence among OEMs and builds enduring credibility for Indian manufacturing on the global stage.
AET: With all these acquisitions, how is Himadri enhancing its R&D and battery recycling capabilities?
Anurag: All of these moves are strategic steps toward strengthening our expertise and sharpening our vision for the future of battery materials and recycling in India.
These have empowered our R&D team with far greater freedom to experiment, refine and accelerate progress. We already have an excellent setup in place, where research, testing and application are closely integrated enabling faster and more meaningful breakthroughs.
Battery recycling is another area we feel very strongly about. If electric mobility grows without a proper end-of-life solution, we are only shifting the environmental problem elsewhere. Our aim is to ensure that used batteries do not become waste — instead, they become part of the next lifecycle. We are working on developing technologies that have the potential to improve yields of valuable materials like lithium and other critical metals both in terms of quantity and purity.
This means fewer raw materials would be wasted putting less pressure on mining, and a cleaner overall ecosystem. Our goal is simple — used batteries should not become waste; they should become the starting point of their next lifecycle.
AET: Reviving Birla Tyres marks a big step into mobility solutions. How does this align with Himadri’s carbon-to-clean-tech vision?
Anurag: Birla Tyres strengthens our long-term roadmap and complements our core strategic direction. We are not stepping away from our legacy business; we building on their solid foundations and are transforming for the future.
Birla Tyres is being realigned to meet the demands of electric mobility. EV tyres require a different set of performance parameters including the ability to handle higher torque, support heavier loads and enhance energy efficiency. This opens up significant opportunities for innovation at the application level.
When you link what powers the vehicle with what meets the road, you begin to create a more complete mobility ecosystem. That is what our transition from carbon-to-clean-tech truly represents.
AET: Himadri has earned top ESG ratings globally. What sustainability practices have been most impactful, and what’s next on your green roadmap?
Anurag: At Himadri, sustainability forms the core of our operating philosophy and strategic direction. Our global ESG leadership reflects years of discipline, foresight, and a deep belief that responsible growth strengthens long-term value creation. Long before ESG ratings gained prominence, our teams embedded environmental stewardship, safety excellence, and ethical governance into everyday decision-making.
Our most impactful practices arise from actions rooted in science, operational rigour, and value-chain accountability. Zero-liquid discharge systems, advanced wastewater recycling, clean-energy deployment, and comprehensive emissions stewardship have transformed resource efficiency across major facilities. Circularity principles guide material recovery, waste utilisation, and process optimisation, leading to consistent reductions in energy intensity, improved water conservation, and higher reliance on in-house clean power. Strong governance systems, board oversight, supplier engagement, and human-rights stewardship further reinforce responsible growth across our ecosystem.
These efforts have earned us global recognition. The EcoVadis Platinum Medal placed Himadri in the top 1% worldwide, a testament to our environmental performance, ethical operations, and sustainability governance. Our status as a CDP Supplier Engagement Leader with an ‘A’ rating highlights excellence in climate disclosure, Scope-3 engagement, and value-chain collaboration.
The road ahead is equally ambitious. We are scaling renewable-energy integration across multiple sites, deepening digital energy-management systems, and advancing circular-economy programmes with a focus on water positivity, resource recovery, and green process innovation. Our R&D teams are accelerating work on low-carbon pathways, carbon-capture feasibility, electrification readiness, and next-generation battery materials that support cleaner mobility and global energy transition.
Human-rights assurance, Zero-Accident Vision, and supplier capability-building remain central to strengthening our social footprint. As we expand our portfolio and global presence, sustainability shapes every strategic choice—creating a future defined by innovation, resilience, and leadership in advanced speciality materials.
Himadri continues to move “Together Towards Tomorrow,” delivering performance with responsibility and shaping a greener, more inclusive, and future-ready world.
