Kursk Battery Plant Expands Starter Battery Capacity by 20%

On August 6, the Kursk Battery Plant (KAZ) announced a planned 20% expansion in starter battery production capacity, strengthening its supply position for KAMAZ, Ural, and other automakers. The project is backed by more than RUB 380 million in investment, including RUB 300 million provided through a preferential loan from the federal Industrial Development Fund. The expansion is intended to raise annual starter lead-acid battery output from 1.5 million to 1.8 million units. The project also includes additional manufacturing capabilities for premium batteries, allowing the facility to respond to demand across different vehicle and battery capacity requirements.

The expansion is being financed partly through the federal Industrial Development Fund, with the preferential funding supporting the acquisition of 16 units of modern production equipment. The equipment package includes a semi-automated battery assembly line, a forming system, a soldering machine, a paste mixer, a drying unit, compressor and refrigeration equipment, and automated quality control systems. These additions are designed to expand manufacturing throughput while supporting production and quality-control processes. The investment therefore combines increased output with upgrades across several stages of the battery manufacturing operation, rather than relying solely on additional production volume from existing equipment.

The project will raise annual starter lead-acid battery production by 20%, moving capacity from 1.5 million units to 1.8 million units. Alongside the higher mainstream output, the facility is expected to manufacture as many as 300,000 premium batteries each year. These products will cover capacities from 50 Ah to 110 Ah, providing a broader range of battery specifications for automotive applications. The increased production capability is particularly relevant to the plant's existing supply relationships with KAMAZ, Ural, and other automakers, while the premium battery program adds another production segment to the facility's expanded manufacturing portfolio.

The investment also highlights the role of domestic manufacturing support in expanding battery production capacity. By combining more than RUB 380 million of project investment with RUB 300 million in preferential financing, the facility is adding equipment intended to improve assembly, forming, soldering, material preparation, drying, utilities, and automated quality control. The resulting capacity increase will provide a larger annual supply of starter batteries while maintaining production of lead-acid products across established specifications. The additional premium capacity of up to 300,000 units annually further increases the plant's ability to serve applications requiring batteries between 50 Ah and 110 Ah.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the planned production increase?
The plant plans to increase annual starter lead-acid battery production by 20%, raising capacity from 1.5 million units to 1.8 million units. The expansion will also support production of up to 300,000 premium batteries annually, with capacities ranging from 50 Ah to 110 Ah.

How much is being invested in the expansion?
More than RUB 380 million is being invested in the production expansion. RUB 300 million of this amount comes through a preferential loan provided by the federal Industrial Development Fund, supporting the purchase of 16 units of modern manufacturing and quality-control equipment.