Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc partners with IIT Madras to develop rechargeable zinc-air battery

CHENNAI: Vedanta Group company Hindustan Zinc, India’s largest and the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).

"This strategic collaboration aims at developing a groundbreaking 1 kWh electrically rechargeable zinc-air battery prototype, reaffirming both institutions’ commitment to advancing the future of sustainable energy solutions," said the company in a statement.

While lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the market, their high cost, limited resource availability and safety concerns present major challenges that zinc-based alternatives can effectively address.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Zinc, a critical metal across numerous industries, is set to play a crucial role in the global energy transition. Our metal offers a sustainable and economically viable alternative to lithium in energy storage technology. Our partnership with IIT Madras will advance research on zinc-air battery technology, that will redefine the future of energy storage. By exploring new applications of zinc in energy storage, we are committed to contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the generations to come.”

Leading the research team from IIT Madras, Aravind Kumar Chandiran, Head of Hyundai Hydrogen Innovation Hub, IIT Madras, will bring extensive expertise in energy storage solutions like solar cells and zinc-air batteries. His research team has already developed a prototype rechargeable Zinc-Air battery and holds three Indian patents for innovations in leak resistance, anode recharging and anode replacement design.

This collaboration aims at enhancing energy storage systems, with potential applications in renewable energy, data centers and telecommunications.

Aravind Kumar Chandiran, who is also a faculty in the department of chemical engineering, IIT Madras, said, "Zinc-air batteries offer a promising solution for overcoming the challenges faced by current energy storage technologies. Our partnership with Hindustan Zinc allows us to leverage our expertise in zinc-air battery research and their industry leadership in metals to develop innovative solutions that act as significant energy storage systems for EVs and stationary storage systems. The successful development of this prototype will accelerate India’s capabilities in advanced battery technologies and pave the way for further innovations in the field”


Zinc-Air batteries are emerging as a viable alternative, known for their long-duration storage capabilities, durability and potential to be a more affordable alternative to lithium-ion batteries. Compared to lithium, which is over four times more expensive, zinc offers a more affordable solution with superior performance attributes.