Hindustan Zinc, India's largest and world's second largest zinc producer, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jawaharlal Nehru Centre of Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an institute sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. The alliance aims to develop new variants of zinc materials.
Currently, lithium-ion batteries have a strong hold in the market. However, lithium availability is affected due to various factors whereas Zinc is available abundantly. Lithium is four times costlier than Zinc. Hence, Zinc based-batteries are a better alternative for lithium-ion batteries. This partnership is dedicated to the research and development of zinc alloys as anodes for zinc ion and zinc air batteries.
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre of Advanced Scientific research (JNCASR) is an autonomous institution under Department of Science and Technology, Government of India and a deemed to be university in Bangalore. The institution has generated 350 plus patents and promoted development of various startups based on indigenous inventions. Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan's team at JNCASR will work in association with Hindustan Zinc to provide solutions which will elevate the performance and reliability of zinc based batteries. Prof. Senguttuvan and team is renowned for their cutting-edge material research.
According to a recent Bloomberg NEF report, the global energy storage market is on an upward path, anticipating an annual growth of 21 per cent reaching 442 GW by 2030. Hindustan Zinc's collaboration with JNCASR complements its efforts for battery storage space. Additionally, Hindustan Zinc signed a MoU with AEsir Technologies, Inc., a US-based company specializing in next generation battery technologies, earlier this month.
Commenting on the occasion of MoU signing, Arun Misra, CEO of Hindustan Zinc Limited, said, "Zinc is integral to a low-carbon future and it presents itself as a safe, stable and sustainable alternative to lithium in the energy storage segment. At Hindustan Zinc, our climate action initiatives are focussed on aiding the ongoing global energy transition by advancing and exploring new applications of zinc in batteries. This collaboration demonstrates our crucial role in catering to the increasing demand for alternative energy solutions by being an active contributor of critical raw materials for the development of emerging clean technologies."
Expressing his views, Prof. Sreenivas, Dean R&D of JNCASR said, "Prof. Premkumar Senguttuvan, brings extensive expertise in battery technology, with significant experience in lithium, sodium, and zinc-based systems. His research has leveraged the unique benefits of these elements for energy storage applications. Zinc's widespread availability, minimal environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and safety characteristics position it as a key player in advancing sustainable energy solutions. Prof. Senguttuvan's proposed work in zinc-based battery technologies, in collaboration with Hindustan Zinc, holds the potential to make significant contributions to a more sustainable and resilient energy future."
