Eveready Industries India Ltd. has commissioned a state-of-the-art greenfield manufacturing facility in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir, marking a significant milestone in India’s battery sector. Inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the plant is the first and only operational unit in the country dedicated exclusively to alkaline battery production. This ₹200 crore investment aims to drastically reduce India’s reliance on battery imports while positioning the region as a hub for advanced industrial manufacturing.
Key Features of the Bari Brahmana Facility
The new manufacturing unit is located within the SIDCO Industrial Complex at Bari Brahmana. Developed with a capital outlay of ₹200 crore (approximately $21.64 million), the facility is equipped with advanced automated production lines. It boasts an annual installed capacity of 456 million batteries, with a peak annual production target of 360 million alkaline units.
In addition to batteries, the plant is designed to be a multi-product hub. It has the capacity to manufacture 7 million flashlights and 6 million LED lights annually, diversifying the production output for both domestic and international markets. The facility has been designed with a strong focus on sustainability, featuring a 1 MW rooftop solar power installation, rainwater harvesting systems, and a zero-discharge operational model to minimize its environmental footprint.
Significance of Alkaline Battery Manufacturing in India
Historically, the Indian battery market has been dominated by zinc-carbon batteries, which are cheaper but have lower energy density compared to alkaline variants. While zinc-carbon technology remains widely used for low-drain devices like remote controls, the growing demand for high-drain electronics has led to a surge in alkaline battery consumption. Until now, a large portion of the alkaline batteries sold in India were imported, primarily from Southeast Asia and China.
By establishing a dedicated domestic manufacturing line, Eveready is directly contributing to the Make in India initiative and the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). This facility is the first of its kind not just in India, but across the entire SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) region. Local production is expected to lower costs for consumers and enhance the competitiveness of Indian-made batteries in global markets, particularly in Europe and the United States.
Boosting Industrial Growth in Jammu & Kashmir
The establishment of this greenfield facility is a testament to the success of the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30. This policy was introduced to create a conducive ecosystem for large-scale investments and to generate sustainable employment opportunities in the Union Territory. The Eveready plant is expected to generate over 500 direct and indirect jobs, providing a significant boost to the local economy in the Samba district.
Furthermore, the project benefits from the New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir, which offers various incentives including capital investment and turnover-linked benefits. By attracting high-tech manufacturing units to industrial estates like Bari Brahmana, the government aims to transform Jammu and Kashmir into a major industrial hub, fostering regional development and economic integration.
About Eveready Industries India Ltd
Eveready Industries India Ltd (EIIL) is one of India’s most iconic brands, with a history dating back to 1905 when the Eveready brand first entered the Indian market. The company was formally incorporated in 1934 and established its first modern battery plant in Cossipore, Kolkata, in 1939. Headquartered in Kolkata, West Bengal, EIIL is a market leader in the battery and flashlight segments in India.
The company is currently under the significant ownership of the Burman family, who also lead the Dabur group. Eveready’s product portfolio includes dry cell batteries (zinc-carbon and alkaline), flashlights, and LED lighting solutions. The launch of the Samba facility represents the company’s strategic shift toward premiumization and its commitment to domestic high-tech manufacturing.
Key Takeaways
- Eveready Industries India Ltd (EIIL) has commissioned India’s first dedicated alkaline battery manufacturing plant in Samba, Jammu and Kashmir.
- The greenfield facility was developed with an investment of ₹200 crore and has an annual capacity of 456 million batteries.
- The plant is located in the SIDCO Industrial Complex at Bari Brahmana and was inaugurated by LG Manoj Sinha.
- This unit is the first operational alkaline battery facility in both India and the SAARC region.
- The project aligns with the Make in India initiative and is supported by the Jammu and Kashmir Industrial Policy 2021-30.
- Eveready Industries, headquartered in Kolkata, was incorporated in 1934 and is currently under the ownership of the Burman family.
