In a strategic move that places it at the forefront of India’s clean energy transition, Hindustan Zinc Limited has announced significant progress in its ongoing research into next-generation zinc-based battery technologies. Collaborating with two of India’s premier scientific institutions—Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras—the company is focused on developing safer, cost-effective, and sustainable energy storage systems.
Zinc’s abundance, non-flammability, recyclability, and reduced greenhouse gas footprint have drawn attention as the global lithium supply chain is under strain and prices are rising. Particularly in fields where dependability and sustainability are crucial, such as data infrastructure, electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, and aerospace, zinc-ion and zinc-air batteries are showing promise as viable substitutes.
Initiated in August 2024, the company’s partnership with JNCASR is committed to developing technology for zinc-ion batteries. Researchers are focusing on strengthening the electrode-electrolyte interface and optimizing zinc anode compositions under the direction of Professor Prem Senguttuvan. These improvements are crucial for extending battery life and performance.
Simultaneously, the partnership with IIT Madras, formalized in October 2024, is spearheaded by Professor Aravind Kumar Chandiran and focuses on the development of a 1 kWh rechargeable zinc-air battery module. In order to achieve structural stability, long-term durability, and appropriateness for large-scale applications, the team is constructing a 6/12-cell stack. According to preliminary study findings, there has been encouraging development in creating batteries that can function effectively in a variety of temperature ranges and supply backup power for three to seventy-two hours.
Hindustan Zinc is supporting the industrial-scale development of these cutting-edge batteries by utilizing its knowledge of metallurgy and material science, in keeping with its dedication to sustainability. The technologies being developed are meant for a wide range of applications, including grid-scale storage systems, consumer electronics, and electric mobility, where affordability, safety, and performance are paramount.
In addition to its R&D efforts, Hindustan Zinc is also bolstering its renewable energy capacity. In March 2025, the company expanded its agreement with Serentica Renewables India to increase round-the-clock renewable power supply from 450 MW to 530 MW, with a guaranteed delivery of at least 315 MW in every 15-minute block. This energy will be sourced from solar, wind, and storage technologies, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to a clean energy future.
These pioneering initiatives signal a pivotal shift in India’s battery technology landscape, with zinc poised to play a central role in addressing the country’s energy security, sustainability, and storage challenges.
