Hindustan Zinc Limited has seen early advances in its research collaborations with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, to develop next-generation zinc-based battery technologies. The research focuses on improving energy efficiency, safety, and battery life. Zinc is being explored as a cost-effective and stable alternative to lithium, offering benefits such as non-flammability, recyclability, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Zinc-based batteries provide backup power for 3 to 72 hours and operate across wide temperature ranges.
Under an MoU signed with JNCASR in August 2024, Hindustan Zinc is working on zinc-ion batteries with progress reported in anode formulations and electrode-electrolyte interface design. The IIT Madras collaboration, signed in October 2024, is developing a 1 kWh rechargeable zinc-air battery using a 6/12-cell stack, with a focus on durability and structural integrity. These technologies are intended for use in electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer electronics. Furthermore, the company is also using its metallurgical and material expertise to support industrial-scale battery development.
In March 2025, Hindustan Zinc Limited expanded its agreement with Serentica Renewables India to increase round-the-clock renewable energy supply from 450 MW to 530 MW, ensuring a minimum of 315 MW of continuous power in every 15-minute block using solar, wind, and storage technologies.
