Neogen Chemicals, a Bromine-based and Lithium-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, has signed an agreement with MU Iconic Solutions Corporation (MUIS), Japan, to acquire manufacturing technology license for electrolytes in India, with a planned mix of upto 3000 MT per annum.

The electrolytes will be targeted to meet the growing demand of lithium-ion cell manufacturers in the country. India recently discovered 5.9 million tonnes of inferred lithium reserves in Jammu and Kashmir.  The new exploratory move to scout for lithium reserves assumes importance given that the country's electric vehicle (EV) sector is still totally dependent on imports, particularly from China, for its lithium requirements.

This is the first electrolyte manufacturing technology license issued by MUIS, a part of the Mitsubushi Chemical Corporation, in the world, as per the press release.

Dr Harin Kanani, Managing Director, Neogen Chemicals stated that with this arrangement, they would be the first Indian company to have global technology to manufacture electrolytes at scale for lithium-ion batteries.

The Geological Survey of India is conducting exploration of lithium and related minerals in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand , Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Ladakh and Gujarat.