Eveready Industries Inaugurates India’s Only Operating Alkaline Battery Facility in Jammu Following ₹200 Crore Investment

On April 22, 2026, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the executive leadership of Eveready Industries India Limited (EIIL) inaugurated a state-of-the-art greenfield alkaline battery manufacturing plant in Samba, Jammu. Representing a strategic investment of approximately ₹200 crore, the facility is the only operating alkaline battery plant in the SAARC region and marks Eveready’s return to major capital expenditure after a decade-long hiatus. Supported under the central government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, the plant is a cornerstore of the company’s “Make in India” strategy, designed to replace premium imports with domestic production while integrating EIIL into global supply chain realignments.

Key Facility Specifications and Production Capacity

The Jammu unit significantly scales Eveready’s manufacturing footprint, which now spans six locations across India. At full scale, the facility is expected to generate over 500 direct and indirect jobs, providing a substantial economic boost to the region.

Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Features

The Samba facility is engineered as a zero-discharge operation, reflecting a commitment to global ESG standards and resource efficiency. These features are intended to enhance the plant’s attractiveness for international white-label partnerships:

• Rooftop Solar Installation: A 1 MW array generates approximately 1.20 million units of renewable energy annually to power operations.
• Zero-Discharge Operational Design: The facility is designed to minimize environmental impact through closed-loop water and waste management.
• Rainwater Harvesting: A system with a capacity of 275 KLD (kilolitres per day) ensures responsible groundwater management and resource sustainability.

Corporate Strategy and Market Position

The commissioning of the Jammu plant signals a structural shift in Eveready’s strategy following the Burman family’s acquisition of a controlling 38.38% stake. Under a professionalized management team, EIIL is pivoting toward the premium “Ultima” and “Ultima Pro” alkaline ranges to capitalize on the 20% CAGR seen in the alkaline segment—a sharp contrast to the stagnant growth in traditional zinc-carbon batteries.

Eveready currently maintains a 52.4% value share of the overall Indian dry cell market. However, while EIIL dominates the zinc-carbon category, the alkaline niche is currently led by Duracell with an 82% share. Eveready has successfully grown its alkaline volume share from 2% to nearly 20% in the last two years and aims to reach 25% share by FY29. By manufacturing locally rather than importing from China or Vietnam, the company expects to improve alkaline segment operating margins by at least 10%, providing the “teeth” necessary to challenge incumbent premium brands.

Statements from Leadership

LG Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir:

“Today I inaugurated Eveready Industries India Limited’s new industrial unit in Samba. With an investment of ₹200 Crore, this plant will create local jobs, boost ancillary units, generate opportunities for women, youth & make a significant contribution to economic growth of J&K. This inauguration is a clear declaration that India will march forward on the path of development with renewed vigour.”

Anirban Banerjee, CEO of Eveready Industries India Limited:

“The commissioning of India’s only operating alkaline battery facility marks a significant milestone for the country’s evolving energy landscape. As consumer demand shifts towards high-performance, power-intensive devices, this plant replaces imports and will unlock at least 10 per cent margins, giving us much more teeth to accelerate our journey towards premiumisation and global white-label opportunities.”

Operational and Financial Context

The Jammu expansion follows a period of aggressive balance sheet deleveraging and the resolution of legacy legal encumbrances. The transition from a family-promoter model to a professionally managed structure has stabilized the company’s execution readiness.

• Legal Resolution: A July 2025 settlement with Real Touch Finance (resolving a long-standing dispute involving KKR India Financial Services) for ₹15 crore resulted in a final arbitral award in September 2025. This settlement was the critical catalyst that unlocked Eveready’s ability to monetize assets.
• Asset Monetization and Debt Reduction: Following the legal clearance, EIIL successfully divested a land parcel in Noida for ₹251.55 crore. With the company’s net debt standing at ₹317 crore post-Jammu capex, the Noida proceeds are expected to nearly wipe out the current debt load.
• Fiscal Transition: Having exhausted its MAT credits, Eveready plans to migrate to the new corporate tax regime starting in FY27, a move intended to optimize long-term cash flows.

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