VFlowTech, a specialist in energy storage systems, has partnered with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), the industry interface of the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi), to recover high-purity vanadium from petcoke—a carbon-rich residue from oil refining. The collaboration seeks to build India’s first circular vanadium supply chain, turning refinery waste into battery-grade vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅). This material plays a crucial role in the production of vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs), which offer long-duration energy storage capabilities essential for stabilising power grids and integrating renewable energy sources.
Through this joint initiative, VFlowTech and IIT Delhi aim to reduce reliance on imported raw materials, address waste management challenges, and support India’s goal of expanding clean energy infrastructure. The move is also aligned with the nation’s push toward energy independence and sustainability.
“India’s refining sector generates vast quantities of petcoke cinder containing valuable vanadium,” said Avishek Kumar, Co-Founder and CEO of VFlowTech. “This collaboration allows us to turn this industrial byproduct into a high-value component for advanced battery systems—enhancing both energy security and environmental stewardship.”
Backed by a recent $20 million Series A+ funding round, VFlowTech is investing in building local R&D capabilities and strengthening domestic production of vanadium for use in flow batteries. These efforts support a broader ‘Made in India’ initiative focused on clean technology.
Dr Anil Verma from IIT Delhi’s Department of Chemical Engineering added, “Our goal is to establish a sustainable vanadium loop within the country. This is a crucial step in achieving India’s renewable energy vision of 500 GW by 2030.”
Industry forecasts suggest that the vanadium redox flow battery market will see rapid growth between 2025 and 2030, with global revenues expected to cross $2 billion. Annual growth is estimated to range between 20% and 25%.
Founded in 2018, VFlowTech has developed a proprietary vanadium redox flow battery platform, designed to provide safe, scalable, and environmentally sustainable energy storage. The system offers an operational lifespan exceeding 25 years, and supports long-duration energy discharge, making it suitable for both utility-scale and distributed renewable energy applications. This investment will allow VFlowTech to deepen its presence in India’s energy ecosystem, contribute to the government’s energy transition goals, and advance local manufacturing under the Make in India initiative.
