In a landmark move for India's clean energy sector, Telangana is set to become home to the country's first large-scale refinery for battery-grade lithium. The state-run Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has forged a strategic partnership with Hyderabad-based Altmin Private Limited, a battery material and cell engineering firm, to establish this critical facility.
A Rs 2,250 Crore Strategic Investment
The ambitious joint venture project entails a massive investment of Rs 2,250 crore. The core objective is to build a refinery with a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of lithium carbonate, a critical mineral essential for manufacturing batteries. The partners aim to make the refinery operational by the year 2027.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this groundbreaking initiative was formally signed at the prestigious Telangana Rising Global Summit 2025. The signing ceremony was graced by the presence of Telangana's Chief Minister, A. Revanth Reddy, underscoring the state government's full support for the project.
Boosting Energy Security and Self-Reliance
This refinery is strategically positioned to address a major national vulnerability: dependence on imports for refined lithium. By establishing domestic refining capabilities, the project will significantly enhance India's energy security. The venture plans to secure long-term supplies of raw lithium by leveraging mineral assets located abroad, ensuring a steady input for the refinery.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy emphasized the project's national significance, stating, "Telangana is committed to building the backbone of India's clean energy economy. This lithium refinery marks a decisive step towards making India self-reliant in critical minerals and advanced battery technologies. We are proud that Telangana is leading this national effort by combining public sector strength with private innovation."
Catalyst for an Integrated Battery Ecosystem
The establishment of the lithium refinery is expected to act as a powerful catalyst, attracting downstream investments to Telangana. The vision is to develop a fully integrated battery manufacturing ecosystem within the state. This includes potential investments in cell manufacturing plants, advanced material production, and clean mobility technology ventures.
Beyond industrial growth, the project promises substantial socio-economic benefits, including the creation of significant employment opportunities and the development of high-end technical capabilities in the region. The Telangana government has pledged to facilitate all necessary approvals, provide robust infrastructure support, and coordinate ecosystem development as part of its broader strategy to emerge as India's key hub for new energy and advanced manufacturing.
This partnership between a major public sector undertaking and an innovative private player not only puts Telangana in a leading position in the critical minerals space but also marks a pivotal moment in India's clean energy transition, directly supporting the electric vehicle and energy storage system industries.
