In an exclusive interview, N. Balasubramanian spoke to Randy Tan, Product Portfolio Director (Energy, Interconnect) at Interplex, to learn about the company’s presence in India, its products, future ideas, safety features in electric vehicles, market infrastructure, and other issues.
Can you give a brief background about Interplex and its presence in the Indian market? Since when have you been offering your products?
Interplex is a global leader in designing and manufacturing customized interconnect and high precision product solutions for the e-mobility, medical, and information & communications technology (ICT) markets. We leverage a unique multidisciplinary skill set from both electro-mechanical and mechanical disciplines and have been a long-time innovator and trusted supplier to the e-Mobility industry. In India, Interplex plays a key role in developing critical product technologies for efficient batteries, motors, power distribution systems, fuel cell components, and advanced assembly processes.
What is your perspective on the electric vehicle (EV) space? How does Interplex support this ecosystem?
We entered the EV industry by providing metal stamping solutions to a leading electric vehicle manufacturer. Soon, we realized that our products and capabilities fit seamlessly in the EV space, and our offerings provide simple solutions to the e-mobility market. We began in the US market and expanded to Europe and China. Now, we are expanding to the Indian market as EVs are gradually gaining acceptance in India.
When it comes to India and electrification, where does Interplex fit in and what solutions do you supply?
In India, we primarily serve two main customer groups: original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and giga factories involved in battery manufacturing. Different OEMs have varied procurement strategies. Some prefer to be vertically integrated and fill the battery module on their own, so they purchase batteries, and Interplex provides the battery interconnect system. Others purchase battery modules or packs, and we supply to both Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers.
In the Interplex mobility division, we have three core products: battery interconnects, power bus bars, and custom interconnects, which cater to different parts of electric vehicles. The battery interconnects are designed for the top of battery cells, power bus bars for electric motor insert molded bus bars, and custom interconnects for customized connectors for module units and other components in the electric vehicle architecture.
How strong is Interplex globally in the battery interconnect space?
Interplex has a strong presence in the US and European markets. We have seen tremendous success with the 4680 cylindrical cells, which are highly popular among OEMs. We collaborate with OEMs in designing and manufacturing the 4680 battery interconnects. Gradually, we are gaining traction in China with our cylindrical cells interconnects. China primarily uses prismatic cells, but the 4680 cylindrical cells are also gaining popularity. We offer interconnect solutions for prismatic cells, as the basic interconnect principles apply to both types.
Considering India’s cost-sensitive market and the importance of value proposition, as well as the safety concerns surrounding EV batteries, how have Indian customers responded to Interplex?
The Indian market is still in its early stages and is in the process of acquiring knowledge, especially related to safety aspects. We have received numerous inquiries about how we manage safety features in our products. Our response is straightforward: our basic design can integrate a built-in safety fuse feature for each cylindrical cell, addressing the safety concerns effectively.
In terms of future growth and market potential, where would India rank for Interplex? Is it one among many highly potential markets, considering the growth in other Southeast Asian markets as well?
India has tremendous potential in terms of both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. It is one of the largest two-wheeler markets globally. However, successful electrification in India would require strong government support and the establishment of proper charging infrastructure to entice consumers to switch from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric cars. Once this infrastructure is in place, India’s EV market holds significant potential.
How confident are you about Interplex’s growth potential in India?
We are highly confident in Interplex’s growth potential in India because our products cater to a wide range of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers competing with electric motorbikes. We are also exploring the potential of swappable batteries to address infrastructure challenges, and we see considerable opportunities in this area.
