The Power of Self-Reliance: How SBL Energy is Redefining India’s Defense and Industrial Landscape

#SBLEnergy #MakeInIndia #AatmanirbharBharat #MiningTech #IndustrialInnovation #DefenseManufacturing #SustainableManufacturing #SmartManufacturing #InfraStructureIndia #LeadershipInsights

January 2026 : As India accelerates toward industrial self-reliance, SBL Energy is establishing itself as a cornerstone of the explosives and defense sectors. Fueled by a ₹325 crore capital infusion, the company is bridging domestic supply chain gaps through its Nagpur TNT plant and strategic expansion into mining. By integrating high-performance engineering with advanced safety and sustainability, SBL Energy is doing more than supplying materials - it is providing the essential infrastructure and defense solutions necessary to power India’s next decade of global manufacturing leadership.

In a deep-dive conversation with Pro MFG Media, Mr. Alok Choudhari, CEO of SBL Energy Limited, pulls back the curtain on the company’s strategic evolution. He offers a compelling look at how SBL is navigating industrial diversification and championing India’s journey toward self-reliance.

What is driving SBL Energy's expansion into mining and TNT? How do you vet new growth areas, and are sectors like cement or hydropower on your radar?

Our expansion into mining and TNT addresses a vital gap in India’s industrial ecosystem, aimed at cutting import reliance in infrastructure and energy. We select growth areas that leverage our strengths in engineering and defense. While we are exploring adjacent sectors like cement and hydropower, we remain highly selective - expanding only where we find clear synergy and a real opportunity to scale India's growth

Sustainability is becoming a key expectation across heavy industries. How is SBL Energy incorporating sustainability into its manufacturing practices and product design?

At SBL Energy, we are aligning with the industry’s shift toward safety and sustainability by integrating technology at every level. This includes developing eco-friendly explosive formulations and utilizing electronic detonators to minimize environmental impact and vibrations. Operationally, we are reducing our carbon footprint by transitioning to green energy and implementing IoT-based monitoring to optimize resource use. While a formal ESG roadmap is still in development, these initiatives demonstrate our commitment to building a cleaner, smarter, and more efficient manufacturing ecosystem that meets modern regulatory standards.

With the commissioning of the TNT plant in Nagpur and your plans to scale exports, how do you see SBL Energy contributing to India’s industrial self-reliance?

Our new 3,000-tonne TNT plant in Nagpur marks a major milestone in strengthening India’s defense self-reliance while expanding our global footprint. By reducing import dependence and securing the domestic supply chain, the facility supports a robust defense-manufacturing ecosystem and serves key markets in Europe, the US, and Australia. This export-driven growth aligns with national goals for defense exports and geopolitical influence. Looking ahead, we plan to replicate this model with future projects, solidifying SBL Energy’s role as a critical provider of defense materials and a leader in industrial innovation.

The explosives and mining-support sector faces challenges around regulation, raw material supply, and logistics. What are some steps SBL Energy is taking to strengthen its supply chain and ensure business continuity?

In a highly regulated and volatile sector, SBL Energy mitigates risk through a combination of technical rigor and strategic scaling. We leverage R&D collaborations, such as our partnership with the Central Mining Research Institute, to ensure material reliability and maintain strict quality control over key inputs like ammonium nitrate and PETN. While the industry's heavy licensing requirements serve as a protective barrier to entry, we prioritize rigorous compliance with all safety and government mandates. Furthermore, by steadily expanding our manufacturing footprint and production capacity, we have built the necessary operational buffers to ensure supply-chain resilience and long-term business continuity.

Over the next few years, what are the company’s main strategic priorities in terms of technology adoption, market expansion, and global partnerships?

Our strategy for the coming years rests on three key pillars: technological innovation, market expansion, and global reach. We are digitizing the blasting cycle through IoT, data-driven analysis, and next-generation detonators to enhance safety and precision. Beyond our core in mining, we are scaling into adjacent sectors like cement and hydropower where controlled blasting is essential. Finally, we are leveraging our 3,000 TPA Nagpur plant to deepen exports to Europe, the US, and Australia. Backed by recently raised capital, these priorities allow us to scale manufacturing and solidify our position as a global leader in industrial and defense materials.

How does SBL Energy differentiate itself in the highly competitive industrial explosives market - particularly in terms of technology, safety, and service delivery?

SBL Energy differentiates itself through its advanced emulsion-based explosives that offer high detonation velocity, water resistance, and environmental stability, alongside strong in-house R&D capabilities for continuous innovation. On the safety front, it employs next-generation electronic and non-electric detonators to ensure precision and reduce misfires. From a service perspective, SBL provides turnkey technical solutions and blasting guidance to clients, further strengthening its reliability in the market.

SBL Energy recently raised ₹325 crores in growth capital from marquee investors. Could you share how these funds will be utilized - are there plans for technology upgradation, capacity expansion, or strategic acquisitions?

The raised capital will be utilised towards the expansion of manufacturing capacity within India and support the launch of new products. The company aims to enhance its production to meet the growing demand in its served markets.

Finally, if you had to sum up your vision for SBL Energy five years from now in one line, what would it be?

In the next five years, we see SBL Energy becoming a globally trusted, technology-led explosives, defence, and mining-solutions company, one that strengthens India’s self-reliance, expands its international footprint, and sets new benchmarks in safety, sustainability, and manufacturing excellence.

Pro MFG Media Newsletter

Get regular manufacturing insights that matter and enable business.