Godrej
targets 100% localization of Li-Ion cells by end of next year- a first in India
Amid India's rapid
infrastructure development and the pressing need for green energy solutions,
Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group, has once again taken
the lead with its latest innovation. The Material Handling Business of the conglomerate,
today announced the launch of
lithium-ion battery powered forklifts featuring indigenously developed Battery Management
System (BMS). This will be the first offering of this kind by an Indian
manufacturer. The solution addresses a critical need in the Indian material
handling sector by providing a self-reliant and secure Li-Ion battery system.
The benefits of Li-ion
technology are extensive and transformative, offering more than 4 times longer
battery life compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. Li-ion batteries
provide 5,000 charge cycles versus 1,200 for lead-acid, reducing long-term
investment. They enable opportunity charging, zero emissions during charging,
and reduced maintenance needs. Charging from 20% to 80% takes only 2.5 hours
for Li-ion compared to 6 hours for lead-acid, with 30% less energy consumption.
Li-ion batteries offer upto 15% more run time to 2 and 3 tonne forklifts. The
modular design also allows for scalability. Godrej & Boyce plans to extend
this technology to other material handling equipment. Industries set to benefit
include automotive, FMCG, consumer durable, retail including e-commerce,
pharmaceuticals, and other major manufacturing sectors.
Anil
Verma, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Godrej & Boyce,
part of the Godrej Enterprises Group said, “India’s logistics
sector is at a pivotal juncture, experiencing robust growth driven by
infrastructure advancements across sectors such as automotive, FMCG, consumer
durables, retail including e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, fueled by rising
consumer demand. At Godrej & Boyce, we are committed to ‘Make in India’
strategies, playing a vital role in driving this growth. Our focus on
integrating cutting-edge, technology-enabled solutions remains a key priority,
addressing the complex challenges of modern supply chains. These innovations
are crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring the sector’s
continued evolution. The future of India’s logistics will be shaped by this
commitment to nation building and innovation, securing a more resilient and
adaptive industry.”
Anil
Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head, Material Handling
Business of Godrej & Boyce, part of the Godrej Enterprises Group
said, "We are delighted to introduce our Li-ion powered forklift trucks
featuring indigenously developed Battery Management System. This launch
underscores our commitment to 'Make in India' and building self-reliant
capabilities in critical technologies for the material handling industry. By
leveraging our engineering expertise, we have created a solution that enhances
safety, and optimizes performance. We believe this is the start of a
transformative journey that will revolutionize material handling and inspire
industries nationwide to reimagine what's possible when we commit to
self-reliance."
Developed in partnership
with Log9 Materials, the new battery systems integrate lithium-ion cells with
30% localized production with a proprietary Battery Management System (BMS)
fully designed and made in India. The business has set a target of 100%
localization for the cells by next year.
Traditionally, the Indian
market has heavily relied on imported batteries and BMS systems, primarily
sourced from China. Localizing this technology underscores the business's
unwavering commitment to the "Make in India" vision and its
dedication to fostering a resilient domestic supply chain.
