Venkat Rajaram, Cygni Energy, Founder & CEO, along with Vipul and Gautam.

Hyderabad-based Cygni Energy has unveiled Phase I of its fully automated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) gigafactory at E-Mobility Valley in Maheshwaram, Hyderabad, signalling a major leap in India’s electric vehicle (EV) and clean energy manufacturing landscape. The company is investing INR 2.5 billion over two phases to ramp up capacity from 4.8 GWh to 10.8 GWh over the next 12–24 months.

With a sharp focus on electric mobility, energy storage systems, and next-generation battery chemistries, Cygni is positioning itself to meet growing domestic and international demand for sustainable energy solutions. The company is also actively developing sodium-ion and sulphur-based batteries to complement traditional lithium-ion chemistries, alongside investments in thermal safety, recycling and advanced energy management algorithms tailored to Indian conditions.

Venkat Rajaraman, Founder & CEO, Cygni Energy, said, “In the long term, as part of India’s 100 GWh roadmap, we expect to become self-sufficient in cell manufacturing. We are also seeing a convergence of newer chemistries like sodium and sulphur. Sodium-ion batteries, in particular, are expected to play a critical role in India’s EV journey –given their lower cost of USD 6 per kWh versus USD 24 for lithium. While lithium demand currently exceeds sodium by 3x, India’s early-stage advantage allows us to leapfrog.”

“We cater to three markets – BESS, commercial and industrial storage, and electric vehicles. We have been manufacturing EV battery packs for a long time, earlier from a rental facility and now from our own factory. Today, we have a gigawatt-scale order pipeline for two- and three-wheeler EVs and large-scale storage systems. We’re also working with IIT-Madras' Centre of Battery Engineering and Electric Vehicles (C-BEEV) to co-develop future technologies. EVs contributed nearly 50 percent of our revenue till FY2025.”

The new facility spans 160,000 square feet and is engineered with automated Poka-Yoke-enabled lines and end-to-end traceability for high-quality battery module production. Till date, the company has raised USD 6.4 million in 2018 and USD 12.5 million in 2022 to fund its expansion.

The first phase investment of INR 1 billion supports an initial 4.8 GWh capacity. An additional INR 1.5 billion will be invested to reach 10.8 GWh under Phase II. The company expects to generate INR 26 billion revenue from Phase I, which it aims to double post-expansion.

Cygni’s batteries are designed for EV and grid-scale applications. The company has delivered over 500 MWh of batteries and claims to have a confirmed 1 GWh order pipeline, with growing traction in electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers and small commercial vehicles (SCVs). Most of the 80-plus components in its battery systems – such as busbars, cell holders, thermal and mechanical elements – are now locally sourced, reflecting India’s evolving EV ecosystem.

Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana and CEO of the Industry & Investment Cell in the CMO, inaugurated the facility alongside Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Chairman of IIIT-Hyderabad, and Srini Raju, Founder of iLabs Group.

Jayesh Ranjan, said, “The inauguration of Cygni’s battery manufacturing gigafactory in Telangana marks a transformative step toward sustainable energy, manufacturing excellence, and innovation. This facility not only strengthens India’s commitment to clean energy but also creates jobs, fosters local talent, and builds a robust ecosystem for the future of energy storage solutions.”

Cygni expects to create over 1,000 direct and indirect jobs and is planning additional 2 GWh cell-to-pack automated lines as part of its future roadmap. With government support and rising EV adoption, the company is well-positioned to be a catalyst in India’s energy transition

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German robotics supplier Dürr has delivered its 20,000th painting robot, an EcoRP4 generation model, to Ford's manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain. The milestone unit operates in a primer station on the exterior application line for the Ford Kuga following its installation in August 2026.

The EcoRP4 L033L/R robot functions alongside the EcoBell4 rotary atomiser to apply primer to vehicle bodies. The platform features a simplified mechanical design with fewer components to lower lifecycle costs and streamline maintenance compared to previous generations, while supporting floor-mounted, tower and linear-rail configurations.

At the Ford plant, the system operates with the EcoMCC3 A/B colour changer, the EcoBell4 Pro 2x1K atomiser, and high-transfer-efficiency application process technology to reduce material consumption, overspray and volatile organic compound emissions.

Marcus Treppschuh, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Dürr, said, "The 20,000th painting robot from Dürr represents decades of experience in automated painting. The fact that this milestone has been reached with one of the first models from our new EcoRP4 generation underlines our commitment to consistently combining innovation and proven technology."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hindustan Zinc has announced the launch of two zinc alloys, VedAZ and VedAyush, to expand its value-added product portfolio for the galvanising industry. The introduction aims to address process efficiency, coating consistency, and corrosion protection for galvanised steel across the infrastructure, automotive and manufacturing sectors.

The move comes as corrosion-related losses in India are estimated at approximately 4.3 percent of the country's annual gross domestic product, according to a 2026 report by the CII and Nomura Research Institute.

The company produces the alloys through its wholly owned subsidiary, Hindustan Zinc Alloys, which operates a 30,000-tonne-per-annum zinc alloy melting and casting facility in Rajpura Dariba, Rajasthan.

VedAZ is a specialised zinc-aluminium master alloy designed to control aluminium levels in galvanising baths, supporting stable bath chemistry, uniform coating thickness and reduced dross formation. VedAyush is a zinc-aluminium-magnesium alloy engineered to improve corrosion resistance, coating adhesion and surface stability in coastal and industrial environments.

The company's value-added offerings also include Bureau of Indian Standards certified die-casting alloys HZDA-3 and HZDA-5 for automotive, electrical and consumer hardware applications.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "We see significant scope to grow our value-added zinc business across infrastructure, automotive, engineering and consumer products. Customers in these sectors need specialised grades tailored to their manufacturing processes and performance requirements. VedAZ and VedAyush broaden the range of needs we can address and create opportunities to build closer customer relationships. Our integrated operations and alloy manufacturing capabilities provide a strong base to develop customised products and scale this business. We want value-added products to become a larger part of our portfolio, helping us reach new customers and capture more value from the zinc we produce."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tata Projects has secured a contract from an automotive manufacturer to construct a greenfield plant at Auric-Bidkin in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra. The project expands the company's portfolio into automotive manufacturing infrastructure.

The scope of work encompasses three packages covering the assembly shop, press and weld shop & utility and support buildings. The project requires civil, structural, architectural works, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, utility networks, testing, commissioning and handover. The development builds upon the company's prior experience across semiconductor facilities, battery plants and data centres.

Rajiv Menon, President and Chief Growth and Strategy Officer, Tata Projects, said, "India’s manufacturing ambitions are being shaped by investments that combine global standards, advanced technology and world-class infrastructure. We are proud to partner with a leading global automotive manufacturer in creating a facility that will contribute to this journey. This win also represents an important step in broadening Tata Projects’ presence in advanced manufacturing. We will bring our integrated engineering and execution capabilities to the project, with an unwavering focus on safety, quality, disciplined project management and timely delivery."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has added another milestone with its popular Dzire sedan surpassing cumulative production of 3.5 units, reaching the figure in approximately 18 years and 9 months since its launch in 2008.

Manufactured at the company's Manesar plant in Haryana, the Dzire joins the Alto, Swift and WagonR as the fourth Maruti Suzuki model to reach the 3.5 million production threshold.

The Dzire sedan took 7 years and 3 months to reach its first million units, while the most recent million units were produced in 4 years and 4 months. The Dzire became the first sedan to achieve a 5-star safety rating under Bharat NCAP and featured among Maruti Suzuki's top five export models in the previous financial year. The current generation model, introduced in November 2024, includes an automatic S-CNG variant offering fuel efficiency figures of 36.47 km/kg.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, said, "The cumulative production of 3.5 million Dzire vehicles marks a significant milestone in the model’s journey. More importantly, it reflects the trust and affection of millions of customers across four generations. It is rare for a car to remain relevant for nearly two decades. Introduced in 2008, the Dzire has created a strong legacy by combining style, comfort and practicality. Across four generations, the sedan has evolved with changing customer aspirations while retaining its core strengths, helping it to sustain its position among India’s highest selling vehicles over the years. I express my heartfelt gratitude to our customers for making Dzire a part of their lives, and to our employees, supplier and dealer partners whose contribution has made this journey possible. Together, they have shaped Dzire’s legacy and established it as one of India’s most successful passenger vehicles. Going forward, with increasing manufacturing scale, we remain committed to delivering world-class quality and delighting customers in India and across global markets."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!