May 13, 2025 | Kolkata — Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, a global leader in speciality chemicals and New Energy Materials, has announced an exclusive technology licensing partnership with Sicona, an Australian next-gen battery materials company. The agreement grants Himadri the rights to access, localize, and commercialize Sicona’s proprietary Silicon-Carbon (SiCx®) anode technology in India—widely regarded as one of the most promising advancements in lithium-ion battery performance globally.
A Strategic Step Toward Energy Independence and Global Leadership
This partnership comes at a pivotal moment for both India and the world. As countries seek to localize battery manufacturing and reduce reliance on concentrated supply chains, Himadri’s partnership with Sicona places India on the technological frontline of the energy transition. SiCx® is a transformational product that can be seamlessly integrated into existing lithium-ion battery anode formulations, offering a scalable and commercially viable path to significantly improved battery performance.
Unlike conventional anode materials, Sicona’s SiCx® material, when used in conjunction with traditional graphite (typically in proportions of 5–20%), significantly enhances both energy density (+20%) and charging performance (+40%). This means greater mileage per single charge for electric vehicles and rapid charging times, directly addressing two of the biggest consumer concerns in EV adoption.
By bringing this cutting-edge material science innovation to India, Himadri strengthens its position as a leading player in the global clean-tech manufacturing ecosystem, capable of contributing meaningfully to the resilience, and sustainability of the global battery supply chain.
The Company will further invest 81.48 crore in Sicona. The company in 2023 invested 58 crore acquiring 12.39 percent stake.
Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Anurag Choudhary, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO of Himadri Speciality Chemical Ltd, said: “This partnership marks a turning point in the world’s advanced battery materials journey. Sicona’s SiCx® technology, when used alongside graphite, delivers two core advantages—higher energy density for longer driving range, and faster charging capability that dramatically reduces wait time for EV users.
By integrating Sicona’s technological might with Himadri’s proven operational excellence, global scale, and strategic intent, we are creating a blueprint for innovation-led clean energy leadership. This partnership not only enables India to meet domestic EV and energy storage demands, but also makes us an exporter of next-generation battery materials to the world.
We are proud to play a pivotal role in shaping a global ecosystem where India is recognized not just as a manufacturing base—but as a hub of advanced material science innovation and energy transformation.”
CEO and Co-Founder of Sicona, Christiaan Jordaan said:
“This partnership marks a transformative moment for Sicona and our SiCx® technology. It enables us to commercialize our breakthrough technology at an unprecedented speed and scale. Himadri’s world-class manufacturing capabilities and global presence make them the ideal partner for this journey. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering support to our team, our technology, and our mission.”
Under the agreement, Sicona will provide full-spectrum technical support, including access to its proprietary know-how, engineering expertise, qualification protocols, and quality systems for the establishment of SiCx® production plant. Himadri, leveraging its deep experience in scaling high-precision chemical and material operations, will drive the localization and commercialization of the technology.