Kerala Launches India's First Super-Capacitor Production Unit in Kannur

In a significant advancement towards becoming a world-class manufacturer of electronic components, Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) has established India’s first super-capacitor production facility in Kannur. The first phase of this ₹42-crore project has been completed with an investment of ₹18 crore, featuring essential infrastructure such as dry rooms and production facilities capable of producing 2,100 capacitors daily. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

During the facility's inauguration on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced the government’s plan for an additional investment of ₹1,000 crore aimed at positioning Kerala as a hub for electronic equipment manufacturing. He highlighted the necessity of enhancing productivity and modernizing existing units, noting that Keltron, India’s first electronic equipment production unit, is well-positioned to contribute significantly to this goal.

As part of a broader strategy, the state government has unveiled a ₹395 crore master plan to modernize Keltron and implement a scheme to develop the Karakulam unit for power electronics production. Additionally, plans include the establishment of an IT corridor connecting national highways and the development of an electronics hardware manufacturing facility in Amballur, Ernakulam. The Chief Minister emphasized the creation of an electronic components ecosystem to support existing electronics manufacturing companies.

Once fully operational, the super-capacitor production facility is projected to generate an annual turnover of ₹22 crore and a profit of ₹3 crore by its fourth year, positioning KCCL as a key player in the global electronics component industry.

Super-capacitors are high-capacity capacitors with significantly higher capacitance than conventional capacitors, albeit with lower voltage limits. They can store up to 100 times more energy per unit volume or mass compared to electrolytic capacitors and find applications across various sectors, including automotive, renewable energy, and electronics.

Industries poised to benefit from this development include transportation, consumer electronics, renewable energy, defense equipment, space launch vehicles, and industrial applications.

HBL