Amara Raja to bet big on new-age Batteries
The new-age lithium-ion and legacy lead-acid cell businesses could get near-equal shares of financing at , which is aiming to put about $2 billion over the next decade into the two energy technologies.
The company is planning to apply for the government’s new production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for advanced chemistry cells to break into the electric vehicle (EV) battery market. The maker of Amaron branded batteries will also be shuffling its leadership as founder and long-serving chairman Ramachandra Galla would not not seek reappointment at the company’s annual general meeting in August.
His son and managing director of the company, Jayadev Galla, will take over the role of Chairman as well as chief executive officer (CEO). The incumbent CEO Vijayanand Samudrala will take charge as the president of New Energy business.
In the meantime, the next generation of the promoter family will join the board. Harshavardhana Gourineni and Vikramadithya Gourineni, grandsons of Ramachandra Galla, will join as executive directors and look after the lead-acid batteries and the new energy businesses, respectively. For the advanced battery plant in India under the PLI scheme, the company is scouting global partners for technology support.
Jayadeva Galla, now vice-chairman, expresses “In normal course, we might still be nervous to move ahead with (an advanced chemistry cell manufacturing plant) at this time, but the PLI scheme has given us the confidence,”.
The company has looked at land parcels in multiple states and is negotiating with state governments for special concessions. This will be the group’s first facility outside Andhra Pradesh. In the lead-acid battery business, with the Indian market split between leaders Amara Raja and Exide Industries, the company is looking at acquisition opportunities overseas for further growth.
Currently, exports account for about 12-15 percent of the company’s revenues. Galla said that the company’s board was confident about the continued relevance of lead-acid batteries. “As long as internal combustion engine vehicles are on the roads, there will be a need for lead-acid batteries,” he expressed.