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Hindustan Zinc, JNCASR Advance Zinc-Ion Batteries for Grid Storage

2026-02-09

Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and among the top five silver producers globally, has partnered with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to advance zinc-ion battery technology for large-scale renewable energy storage. The collaboration has resulted in the development of stable and reliable zinc-ion battery pouch cell prototypes, marking a key milestone in India’s indigenous energy storage research.

Zinc-ion batteries are gaining traction as a promising alternative for stationary energy storage, supported by zinc’s abundance, low cost and widespread availability. While challenges remain around improving cycle life and energy density through electrode and electrolyte optimisation, the Hindustan Zinc–JNCASR partnership is addressing these gaps by developing low-cost electrolyte formulations and robust battery prototypes designed for grid-scale applications.

Under the collaboration, JNCASR researchers, with support from Hindustan Zinc, have formulated new electrolytes that enhance battery stability and enable longer cycle life. The zinc-ion pouch cell prototypes have been tested under realistic operating conditions, including solar energy capture and discharge profiles, demonstrating their suitability for renewable energy integration.

Commenting on the development, Arun Misra, CEO and Whole Time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Zinc-ion battery technology represents an important opportunity to leverage India’s abundant zinc resources for the energy transition. Our partnership with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research reflects our commitment to enabling safe, cost-effective, and scalable energy storage solutions that can support the growing integration of renewable energy.”

Although zinc-ion batteries currently lag lithium-ion systems in performance metrics, they offer significant advantages such as enhanced safety, lower material costs and non-flammable aqueous electrolytes, making them well-suited for long-duration and large-scale deployments.

Dr Prem Senguttuvan, Associate Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, said: “Zinc batteries hold immense promise for sustainable and secure energy storage. This partnership with Hindustan Zinc underscores JNCASR’s commitment to impactful industry–academia collaborations. It will strengthen indigenous research capabilities and contribute to building reliable, India-centric solutions for the clean energy transition.”

Through this initiative, Hindustan Zinc continues to strengthen zinc’s role across sectors including renewable energy, battery storage and mobility, while supporting India’s transition to a safer, greener and more self-reliant energy ecosystem.

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