LNJ Bhilwara Group Forms JV with Replus Engitech to set up 1 GWh Li-Ion Battery facility in Pune

Few days after Reliance Industries disclosed its mega investment plans for the clean energy sector, multi-diversified conglomerate LNJ Bhilwara Group has also announced its foray into the lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery business via its private promoter entities.

To setup a 1GWh manufacturing plant which is expected to be extended up to 5GWh capacity by 2024, the group has formed a joint venture (JV) with Replus Engitech, a Pune-based technology-led manufacturing start-up approved by the Government of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Replus Engitech has been pioneered in advanced energy storage products and solutions.

Further, the facility of new joint venture, LNJ Bhilwara Replus, will manufacture Li-Ion battery modules & packs, Battery Management Systems (BMS), Energy Management Systems (EMS), and Containerized Battery Energy Solutions (BESS).

These products will cater to large Energy Storage Systems (ESS) for Renewable Integration, Micro Grid, Utility support, Railways, Telecom, Data centers, Transmission & Distribution Demand Management, Power Walls for Commercial, and Residential Applications.

Battery Packs for 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers (both Swappable and Charge & Drive), Electric-buses, and 4-wheelers are among the E-mobility Products.

Commenting on the venture, Riju Jhunjhunwala, Vice-chairman at The LNJ Bhilwara Group, said that, “we are committed to making a significant contribution towards bringing down carbon emission through energy-efficient, clean, and green cutting edge technological products and solutions from India to the world. Lithium-ion and greener technologies are the best way forward in that direction.”

He further added “we are hopeful that our existing capabilities in graphite and anode, along with our new venture, will be the flag bearer in the new norm of the world. We are eyeing to build a strong presence in the energy storage domain and contribute to Make in India through this venture. The new business will also leverage LNJ’s global presence to spread its wings in the future.”

“We are extremely privileged to partner with the esteemed LNJ Bhilwara group. Both the organizations have a strong synergy in vision to enable a global transition towards sustainable energy. Replus endeavors to create solutions for both e-mobility and stationary applications. Our strength will be in offering optimum technology, reliable and efficient products in lithium-ion chemistries such as LFP, NMC, LTO, and SSD. Going forward, we would be primary movers in the new technology and smart energy solutions in the market,” commented Hiren Pravin Shah, Executive Director and CEO, LNJ Bhilwara-Replus venture.

“The greenfield plant in Pune will be operational by mid-2022, with a capacity of 1GWh in Phase 1. In Phase 2, we are aiming to increase the capacity to 5GWh by 2024. In the medium run, we intend to be India’s leading provider of energy storage solutions. Eventually, we will target to be amongst the top 10 providers globally,” Shah added.