Vidyuta's Rs 500 Cr Cathode Active Material Manufacturing Push

India's cathode active material manufacturing capabilities are set to receive a boost with Vidyuta Materials securing approval under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) for a Rs 500 crore project.

The development marks an important step towards strengthening the country's domestic lithium-ion battery supply chain, particularly in the production of critical battery materials.

Vidyuta's project comes as India seeks to expand its battery manufacturing ecosystem and reduce dependence on imported components.

With cathode materials playing a significant role in battery performance and production costs, domestic manufacturing could create opportunities for material suppliers, battery manufacturers and the wider electric mobility industry.

What does Vidyuta's Rs 500 crore project involve?

Vidyuta Materials, a subsidiary of LOHUM, has received ECMS approval for its proposed cathode material manufacturing investment.

The project will focus on lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathode active materials, an important component used in lithium-ion batteries.

The manufacturing facility is expected to develop capabilities in:

• Polycrystalline cathode active materials.
• Single-crystal cathode active materials.
• LCO-based materials for lithium-ion battery applications.

The ECMS approval also marks the scheme's first approval for cathode active material manufacturing.

Also Read: Commercial EV Charging Hub Installation Guide in India 2026

How will domestic cathode production address India's battery material demand?

According to NITI Aayog's "Mine to Market" report, the country could require approximately 193,000 tons of cathode active material annually by 2030 to support 100 GWh of lithium-ion battery production.

The report also identifies the following requirements:

• 98,000 tons of anode active material annually.
• 91,000 tons of aluminium.
• 41,000 tons of copper.
• 8,000 tons of lithium hexafluorophosphate electrolyte.

How does ECMS support India's battery manufacturing ecosystem?

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) approved 12 additional projects under ECMS on November 6, involving projected investments of Rs 7,503 crore.

Other relevant approvals include:

• TACC Limited for lithium-ion battery anode material.
• Indo Asia Copper Limited for copper foil manufacturing.

MeitY Secretary S Krishnan highlighted the significance of the approvals, noting that cathode active material would be manufactured in India for the first time under the scheme.

Vidyuta's project could therefore contribute to India's cathode active material manufacturing ecosystem while supporting the development of a more integrated domestic battery supply chain.