Hindustan Zinc Limited has announced progress in its early-stage research into next-generation zinc-based batteries, positioning itself at the forefront of India’s transition to safer and more sustainable energy storage. With supply chain pressures and cost volatility affecting the global lithium market, zinc has emerged as a viable alternative. In response, Hindustan Zinc is working with two of the country’s top scientific institutions to unlock the full potential of zinc-ion and zinc-air battery technologies.
Zinc, being abundant, non-flammable and recyclable, offers advantages that could help overcome the safety and environmental concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries. Zinc-based systems also perform reliably in a wide range of temperatures and have a lower greenhouse gas footprint. Their applications are already being explored in high-demand sectors including aerospace, renewable energy, and data infrastructure.
To advance this research, Hindustan Zinc has partnered with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The partnership with JNCASR, initiated in August 2024, focuses on the development of zinc-ion batteries. According to Professor Prem Senguttuvan, the project has made progress in refining zinc anode formulations and improving the interaction between electrodes and electrolytes, a key element in enhancing battery performance.
A parallel project with IIT Madras, formalised in October 2024, is working on a 1 kWh rechargeable zinc-air battery module. Led by Professor Aravind Kumar Chandiran, the initiative targets structural stability and long-term usability. These technologies are being explored not just for consumer electronics but also for electric vehicles and grid-scale storage, areas where battery reliability and cost remain key challenges.
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