The global EV battery supply chain is experiencing a seismic shift, and Indian entrepreneur Vikram Handa is positioning Epsilon Advanced Materials right at the epicenter. Battery materials manufacturer Epsilon Advanced Materials is prepared to enter into long-term strategic partnerships with companies looking to source high-quality graphite anode and cathode materials outside China, according to the company’s MD.
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The China Challenge That’s Reshaping Industries
Picture this: You’re an EV manufacturer who’s built your entire supply chain around Chinese battery materials. Suddenly, recent Chinese export restrictions on battery-grade materials have intensified global supply chain concerns. What do you do?
This is exactly the scenario that’s creating unprecedented opportunities for companies like Epsilon. With Chinese industries currently producing more than 80% of the world’s supply of anodes, manufacturers are desperately seeking alternatives.
Vikram Handa’s Strategic Vision Takes Shape
Vikram Handa set up India’s first manufacturer of lithium-ion battery parts Epsilon Advanced Materials Pvt in August, sourcing raw material from the country’s largest steel mill owned by his father-in-law, Sajjan Jindal. But this family connection is just the beginning of a much larger story.
Handa isn’t just thinking locally—he’s planning globally. The company plans strategic partnerships with cell manufacturers and automotive OEMs seeking non-Chinese sourcing options for anode materials and lithium iron phosphate cathodes.
Breaking Down the Battery Mathematics
Here’s where it gets interesting for anyone following the EV revolution. Anode materials are the negative electrode in lithium-ion batteries and account for a quarter of a cell’s components. Meanwhile, Epsilon’s anode materials make up about 20-30% of a battery’s composition.
This isn’t just about components—it’s about control over a critical supply chain that determines whether your next EV gets built or not.
The $650 Million American Dream
Epsilon’s ambitions extend far beyond Indian borders. Epsilon Advanced Materials plans to invest $650 million in establishing a 50,000 TPA synthetic graphite anode facility in North Carolina, marking the first and largest Indian investment in the U.S. electric vehicle battery industry.
Why America? The Inflation Reduction Act stipulates that sourcing critical battery materials from China will not qualify for the $7,500 credit per EV. Consequently, U.S. automakers have sought alternative countries to acquire these essential battery materials.
Europe Joins the Independence Movement
The diversification strategy doesn’t stop in North America. Epsilon has signed an MoU with the City of Vaasa and Finnish Minerals Group, projecting to ground break in 2025 and start production of 30,000 TPA, scaling up to 60,000 TPA by 2030.
This multi-continental approach positions Epsilon as a true alternative to Chinese dominance.
The Karnataka Connection That Changes Everything
Back home in India, Epsilon is making massive commitments. Epsilon Group plans to invest INR 9,000 crore to set up a graphite anode manufacturing plant and INR 6,000 crore for a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode manufacturing plant in Karnataka.
This isn’t just manufacturing—it’s about creating an ecosystem. Additionally, they will invest INR 350 crore to build a battery materials and battery testing R&D and training facility.
What This Means for the EV Future
For consumers wondering when EVs will become truly mainstream, partnerships like Epsilon’s are crucial puzzle pieces. Handa plans to invest 60 billion rupees ($807 million) to produce 100,000 tons of synthetic graphite anode by 2030, or about 10% of estimated global demand.
This supply diversification doesn’t just reduce geopolitical risks—it potentially stabilizes prices and accelerates EV adoption worldwide.
The Bottom Line for Industry Players
Epsilon‘s partnership strategy represents more than business expansion—it’s a fundamental restructuring of how the world sources EV battery materials. For manufacturers tired of supply chain vulnerabilities and seeking reliable, non-Chinese alternatives, Vikram Handa’s vision offers a compelling solution.
