Bengaluru-based engineering company STEER World has secured a ₹60 crore export order for a lithium-ion battery separator manufacturing project in China. The order, one of the largest export contracts in the company's history, was awarded by a South Korean battery separator technology supplier and system integrator following a nine-month technical evaluation.

The project involves supplying STEER's Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) processing technology for deployment at one of China's five largest battery separator manufacturers. Commissioning is scheduled for FY2027.

According to the company, the evaluation compared its Fractional Geometry Technology (FGT) with other established processing technologies. STEER said its technology met the customer's technical requirements during the assessment.

Beyond the initial contract, the company estimates the engagement could generate an additional ₹35-40 crore through aftermarket products, spare parts, technical services, process upgrades and lifecycle support, taking the estimated lifetime value of the project to around ₹100 crore.

China remains the world's largest producer of lithium-ion batteries, supplying a significant share of global manufacturing capacity. Demand for battery manufacturing equipment has increased alongside investments in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and battery gigafactories.

Battery separators are a key component of lithium-ion batteries, preventing direct contact between electrodes while allowing the movement of lithium ions. STEER said its processing technology is designed to improve consistency in separator production while reducing defects. The project includes the supply of four STEER OMEGA 160 co-rotating twin-screw extruders as part of the battery separator production line.

Nitin Gupta, Executive Director and Global CEO of STEER Advanced Manufacturing, said the order followed an extended technical evaluation by the South Korean technology partner before the company's equipment was selected for the Chinese project. He said the contract reflects the ability of Indian-developed manufacturing technologies to compete in international industrial markets.

Dr Prakash Hadimani, Vice President and Business Head, Special Applications, and Global Head of the Application Development Centre at STEER World, said battery separator manufacturing requires precise material processing. He said the company's Fractional Geometry Technology is intended to improve mixing efficiency while reducing thermal and mechanical stress on polymers, supporting consistent production.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, STEER World develops materials transformation and process engineering technologies for industries including polymers, pharmaceuticals, food processing, biomaterials and battery materials. The company says it serves customers in more than 50 countries through research, engineering, manufacturing and technical support operations.