Reliance rushes battery component shipments from China ahead of new export curbs
Mumbai: Billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is expediting the shipment of battery components from China before Beijing’s new export restrictions come into effect, Reuters reported, citing sources.
A Reliance team has travelled to China to accelerate the dispatch of pending orders, one of the sources said. Both Reliance and China’s Ministry of Commerce declined to comment.
Beijing’s new export rules raise global concerns
China, which dominates the global electric battery supply chain, introduced new regulations this month requiring companies to seek government approval before exporting battery equipment.
The rules will be enforced from November 8, and analysts warn they could disrupt global clean energy projects.
One source said at least a dozen other foreign firms are also racing to ship their equipment before the deadline.
“Who cares if it hasn’t been painted yet or the screws haven’t been checked,” the source said. “They are saying we’ll do the testing once it lands—just get it out the door.”
Reliance’s clean energy plans at stake
Reliance is working to assemble and manufacture energy storage batteries in India to support its mega solar power project, a key part of the Indian government’s plan to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Without the Chinese equipment, its progress could be delayed, one person said.
China is home to six of the world’s top ten battery manufacturers, according to SNE Research. The sources did not specify which suppliers are working with Reliance.
Industry response and broader implications
CATL, China’s largest battery maker, said it expects exports to continue smoothly.
“The export of equipment and materials needed for our plants in Europe is progressing as planned,” CATL said in a statement to Reuters.
China exported $48 billion worth of batteries in the first eight months of this year—up 26% year-on-year, as per Chinese customs data.
The export curbs have renewed fears of overdependence on China for key green technologies, echoing earlier concerns triggered by Beijing’s rare earth export restrictions that caused global supply shortages.
While Chinese battery makers have reassured clients that export licences will be issued quickly, uncertainty remains high.
“It is a very tense situation,” one of the sources said.
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