Himadri Speciality Chemical to build India's first carbon nanotube plant for lithium-ion batteries and advanced materials

Himadri Speciality Chemical plans to become the first Indian company to manufacture carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with a new 200 tonnes per annum pilot plant in Bengal. The facility, backed by Rs 70 crore capex, is targeted for commissioning in Q4 FY27. CNTs are next-generation materials used in lithium-ion batteries, electronics, semiconductors, and advanced composites, currently produced only in Japan, China, and Europe. The company also plans to convert 6,000 TPA of its existing carbon black stream into super specialty carbon black (SSCB) for niche applications including lithium-ion batteries and engineered plastics, with a separate capex of Rs 170 crore. Both projects aim to serve high-growth global demand for advanced materials critical to energy storage and electrification. This move positions Himadri in a small group of global CNT manufacturers and supports India's domestic supply chain for battery materials, which is key to grid decarbonization and electric vehicle adoption. The pilot plant will first stabilize before any expansion.