Hindustan Zinc Limited, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), has successfully developed zinc-ion battery pouch cell prototypes aimed at large-scale renewable energy storage. The development marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to build homegrown energy storage technologies.
Zinc-ion batteries are gaining attention as a viable option for stationary energy storage due to zinc’s natural abundance, affordability and widespread availability. While extending battery life and improving energy density remain ongoing challenges, the joint research effort has focused on developing cost-effective electrolytes and stable battery designs suitable for large-scale applications.
Under this collaboration, researchers at JNCASR, with support from Hindustan Zinc, have formulated new low-cost electrolytes that enhance battery stability and cycle life. The zinc-ion battery prototypes have been tested under real-world operating conditions, including solar energy charging and discharge patterns, demonstrating their potential for renewable energy integration.
Arun Misra, CEO and Whole Time Director, Hindustan Zinc Limited, stated that zinc-ion battery technology offers a promising pathway to support India’s clean energy transition by leveraging the country’s zinc resources. He emphasized that the partnership reflects Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to advancing safe, scalable and economically viable energy storage solutions.
Although zinc-ion batteries currently deliver lower performance levels compared to lithium-ion alternatives, they offer notable advantages such as high safety, non-flammable aqueous electrolytes and reduced material costs, making them well-suited for long-duration and grid-scale storage.
Dr Prem Senguttuvan, Associate Professor at JNCASR, highlighted the importance of industry–academia collaboration in strengthening indigenous research capabilities. He noted that the partnership is helping accelerate the development of sustainable and secure energy storage solutions tailored to India’s needs.
Hindustan Zinc continues to play a key role in enabling sustainable technologies across sectors including renewable energy, battery storage, electronics and mobility. Through ongoing research into next-generation zinc materials and strategic collaborations such as this one, the company is contributing to a cleaner, safer and more self-reliant energy future for India.
