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Reliance Industries has suspended its lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing plans due to the withdrawal of Chinese partner Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co. from technology licensing talks. This follows China's restrictions on rare earth exports.

Reliance will shift focus to assembling battery energy storage systems while maintaining long-term battery ecosystem goals. The company’s battery gigafactory is still expected to start operations in 2026 despite technology access challenges. India's energy storage market is projected to reach 87 GW by 2035, with a significant need for advanced battery technology, primarily sourced from China.