Boycott Turkey’ trends online as anger grows in India over Ankara’s stance on Pakistan. Here is snapshot of Turkey's business in India

 

Indians have called for boycotting travel to Turkey and Azerbaijan, which have seen a growing interest as tourist spots in recent years.

After the Indian Army revealed that Pakistan sent Turkish-made drones  mostly  delivered overnight  in the midst of the conflict the anger towards Ankara in India has increased, with even politicians supporting the idea of a ban on Turkish goods.

 

Here  is snapshot of Economic Relations and  Turkey’s business in India

Indian companies India have invested about US$ 126 million in Türkiye (as per Central Bank of Türkiye data) and Turkish investment in India is approximately US$ 210.47 million (as per Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, India). 

Turkish companies operating in India include :

• Koç Holding (consumer durables),
• Arcelik A.S (home appliances),
• Doğuş Holding
• Doğuş Construction (construction),
• Limak Holding (construction),
• Fernas (construction)
• Sarar (Turkish menswear)
• Soktas (fabric company now acquired by Grasim Industries Ltd)
  
• Çelebi Holding (aviation services)  :  This is major area of concern   as its being  reported The current president, Erdoğan, and his inner circle have been linked to various business dealings and political influence in Turkey, and Çelebi's business activities have been scrutinized in this context  and they  are operating  in our Airports which should be a security concern.
• Orhan Holding (automotive supplier)
• Hidromas (hydraulic products – owned by Netherland-based HMS Global), etc

ISRO achieves major breakthrough in Semicryogenic Engine development

 

ISRO is achieving progress in the design &development of a Semicryogenic engine or Liquid Oxygen / Kerosene engine with a high thrust of 2000 kN that will power the Semicryogenic booster stage of the LVM3 launch vehicle. The first major breakthrough in the Semicryogenic engine development programme was achieved on March 28, 2025, when the first successful hot test of Engine Power Head Test Article (PHTA),was carried out at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.

The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO is developing the Semi cryogenic propulsion Engine and Stage. The stage (SC120) powered by the 2000kN semi-cryogenic engine (SE2000) will replace the present core liquid stage (L110) of LVM3 for payload enhancement and power the booster stages of future launch vehicles. Non toxic and non hazardous propellants (Liquid Oxygen and Kerosene) are employed in Semi cryogenic propulsion and this will deliver higher performance compared to existing L110 stage. Induction of Semi cryogenic propulsion system along with uprated cryogenic stage in the LVM3 vehicle enhances its payload capability from 4 tonne to 5 tonne in GTO.

Major subsystems of SE-2000 engine include thrust chamber, pre-burner, turbo pump system, control components and start up system. The SE2000 engine works with a complex oxidizer rich staged combustion cycle with high chamber pressure of 180 bar (with propellant feed system delivering pressures up to 600 bar) & specific impulse of 335s. The complex engine hardware uses special materials to withstand the high temperature and oxidiser rich combustion. The hardware along with the space grade kerosene are realised in partnership with Indian industry. The development of this engine in these high thrust levels is highly challenging and this technology is available with only very few nations.

SE2000 Engine

The realization of a test facility to qualify the engine and stage is equally complex and challenging. The complex Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test facility (SIET) was established at ISRO Propulsion Research Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri for testing the engine and stage and was dedicated to the nation by the Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, on February 27, 2024. This facility caters to storage and servicing of large volume of propellants and service fluids at high pressures. The capability of the test stand is validated through several flow and ignition trials. The test stand which involves many sophisticated control components are managed from a Test Control Centre that is also developed indigenously. This facility with a state-of-art PLC-based control system and data acquisition system is capable of testing semi-cryogenic engines up to 2600 kN thrust.

Semicryogenic Integrated Engine Test facility, IPRC, Mahendragiri

Prior to the conduct of integrated engine level hot tests, it is planned to carry out performance evaluation tests of the intermediate configuration, designated as Power Head Test Article (PHTA),that comprises all the engine systems except the thrust chamber. The hot test that was carried out today, is the first of a series of tests planned to validate the design of the propellant feed system, including the low-pressure and high-pressure turbo-pumps, the pre-burner, start system and control components. All subsystems for the test were realized and had undergone rigorous qualification test prior to integration to Power Head Test Article.

Power Head Test Article (PHTA)

The Ignition sequence for PHTA was derived from a series of hot tests in single element level. In order to ensure the smooth ignition process during the PHTA test, another test article, Pre-burner Ignition Test Article (PITA), was realized, whichconsists of the pre-burner along with its feed systems, start-systems, and related control components. A series of tests were successfully completed using the PITA and the optimum start sequence for power head test article was derived.

Pre-burner Ignition Test Article (PITA)

Today’s test demonstrated the smooth ignition and boost strap mode operation of engine over a test duration of 2.5 seconds. The objective of the test was to validate the integrated performance of the critical subsystems such as the pre-burner, turbo pumps, start system and control components by carrying out a hot-firing for a short-duration of 2.5 seconds. The test proceeded as predicted and all the engine parameters were as expected.

With this breakthrough, ISRO is further planning a series of tests on the PHTA to further validate and finetune the performance before the realization of the fully integrated engine.

PHTA Hot Test 

 

Source : ISRO website ( Reproduced)

Customs Duty Exemption on Lithium & other rare minerals to Boost EV Sector Growth in India

 

The proposed exemption in customs duty on import of lithium, cobalt and other rare minerals in the Union Budget 2024-25 is likely to lower the battery production cost and help in making electric vehicles more affordable for the buyers.

 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget for 2024-25 proposed to fully exempt customs duties on 25 critical minerals and reduce Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on two of them.

This will provide a major fillip to the processing and refining of such minerals and help secure their availability for these strategic and important sectors, she noted. Minerals such as Lithium, copper, cobalt and rare earth elements are critical for sectors like nuclear energy, renewable energy, space, defense, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics, Sitharaman stated.

Exemption of customs duty on import of lithium, cobalt and other rare minerals and extension of concessional customs duty on Li-Ion cells till March 2026 and withdrawal of equalization levy of 2 per cent on e-transactions is expected to propel the growth of the Indian auto industry. .

The move is likely to encourage few players to indigenise battery production in India.The industry was not expecting a lot but was definitely looking for some announcements with respect to FAME III subsidies, and other direct benefits for BEV/ NEV (New Electric Vehicle). One  have to wait to see if there are any further relaxations in the future by the FM or by the GST Council.

The strategic move will significantly impact India's EV market by lowering production costs and enhancing competitiveness.

CATL launches a battery which can charge in Just 10 minute to replenish 600 KM range.

 

On April 25th, CATL  released the Shenhang PLUS battery, which is the world's first phosphate iron lithium battery to achieve a range of 1000 kilometers, and supports 4C ultra-fast charging, with the ability to replenish 600 kilometers of energy in just 10 minutes.

The  Shenhang PLUS battery uses independently developed three-dimensional honeycomb materials to improve the energy density of the negative electrode and control the volume expansion during charging and discharging. 

At the same time, it pioneers an integrated shell structure, greatly improving space utilization. The battery system is optimized on the basis of CTB 3.0, with a 7% increase in volume efficiency and an astonishing energy density of 205Wh/kg.

Indian Oil, Panasonic Energy enter pact to make lithium cells.

 

Indian Oil ,India’s biggest Oil company  announced that it has signed a binding term sheet with Panasonic Energy Co. to form a JV  for manufacturing cylindrical lithium-ion cells in India.

The deal was made in anticipation of demand for batteries for two-and three-wheel vehicles as well as energy storage systems, in Indian markets.

State-owned IOCL is aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2046, aligning with the Indian government's plan to achieve net-zero for the country as a whole by 2070.

"Through its partnership with Indian Oil, Panasonic Energy aims to address environmental challenges, such as reducing CO2 emissions, as well as to contribute to establishing a complete supply chain ecosystem for improving India's self-reliance and fortifying India's position in the global energy landscape," it said.

This JV  will also lead to the growth of India's battery industry by enhancing cell technology and creating domestic demand for raw materials and new entrants.

"Leveraging its expertise in battery development and manufacturing, Panasonic Energy strives to contribute to the growth of the lithium-ion battery industry and India's energy transition, while pursuing its mission of helping to build a sustainable society," it said.

JSW likely to invest ₹40,000 cr to set up EV, Battery manufacturing & recycling facilities in Odisha

 

The JSW group, on on 10th Feb, 2024 , announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up an integrated electric vehicles (EV) and EV battery manufacturing project at Cuttack and Paradip via a ₹40,000 crore (approx $5B) investment.

The company plans to invest ₹25,000 crore in Cuttack for the electric vehicle and its battery manufacturing complex, while ₹15,000 crore will be invested in the EV components manufacturing complex in Paradip.

“By integrating our operations within Odisha's vibrant ecosystem, we aim to create a symbiotic relationship that benefits all stakeholders, fostering growth and innovation, and generating numerous high-skilled job opportunities. It's a testament to our belief in Odisha's potential and our dedication to contributing positively to its economic landscape," said Sajjan Jindal, chairman of JSW Group.

The project consists of a 50 GWH EV battery plant for both mobility & energy storage systems, commercial e-vehicles and passenger electric cars, auto components like e-powertrain, lithium refinery, copper smelter and related component manufacturing units.

 

The company will also set up an original equipment manufacturer plant for electric vehicles and components in the same integrated complex. This according to the company will be the world’s largest single-location project in the sector &  it is proposing to create 11,000 jobs from the project — 4,000 in Cuttack and 7,000 in Paradip.

 

This partnership, the company believes, not only underscores the state’s attractive investment climate but also the government’s strategic initiatives to position Odisha at the forefront of India's EV and green technology sectors. The state government of Odisha will support the initiative through a special package of incentives.

“We are keenly focused on leveraging the opportunities presented by the new age sectors, aiming to create high-skill job opportunities for the people of Odisha. Through our collaboration with the JSW Group, we are setting the stage for a future where innovation drives our industrial growth, ensuring that the youth of Odisha have access to the skills and jobs that will define the next generation of economic development," said Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of Odisha, on the occasion.

 

Reproduced from  Livemint 

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