International Battery Company (IBC), the US-owned battery manufacturer, announced an investment of around $1 billion in a new 10 GWh plant for prismatic lithium-ion battery cells. It will be built on the outskirts of Bengaluru, in Karnataka state, southern India.
IBC already manufactures high-performance battery cells with more than 160 Wh/cell in a pilot plant in South Korea. The company claims that energy density is 40% higher than for conventional cells, offering up to 160 KWh/kg. Recycling of the components should be easy thanks to the oxide chemistry, which allows re-use of lithium, and which will not cause any toxic phosphate pollution.
The R&D work and design of the prismatic cells is performed in the US, based on proprietary I-NMC chemistry. IBC also emphasises that it has added thermal protections to avoid overheating of the high-performance cells, offering a lifespan up to 15 years.
The battery also contains a custom lid and scan design to reduce the risk of explosion or fire.
According to IBC, the large form prismatic cells offer the advantage of fewer units required for each battery pack. The cells manufactured in South Korea have been used in testing and to build a supply chain platform.
The Indian plant will be supplied by local manufacturers and subsidiaries of foreign battery component producers.
The US R&D centre will transfer know-how to India, which will remain the major market for the new production unit, scheduled to be in full production in 2028. IBC India president Venkatesh Valluri said India will need lithium cell batteries in the range of about 150 GW capacity by 2030.
