Hindustan Zinc Limited, the world's largest integrated zinc producer, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with Tripura Group to establish a manufacturing unit within the company's flagship Zinc Park at Khankhala, Bhilwara district of Rajasthan. The partnership represents a significant milestone in building India's first integrated downstream industrial hub dedicated to zinc-based value chains.

Strategic Partnership Details

Under the agreement, Hindustan Zinc will provide comprehensive support to Tripura Group's operations through assured raw material linkage and committed long-term offtake arrangements. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building a robust downstream zinc ecosystem, with investment and production plans aligned to drive scale, efficiency, and sustainable industrial growth in the region.

Zinc Park Initiative Background

The Zinc Park proposal was first announced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma alongside Vedanta Group Chairman Shri Anil Agarwal at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in December 2024. The initiative is planned near Hindustan Zinc's world-class mining and smelting operations at Chanderiya, Dariba, and Debari in Rajasthan.

This project, developed in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), is poised to become India's first integrated hub dedicated to downstream zinc-based industries. A major stakeholder consultation for the Zinc Industrial Park was conducted in late 2024 to invite expressions of interest and align industrial capabilities with ecosystem needs.

Leadership Perspective

Mr. Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer of Hindustan Zinc, emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative: "Zinc Park is a strategic initiative that translates our long-term vision for a resilient and competitive metal value chain into concrete action. Our partnership with Tripura Group demonstrates how targeted collaboration can unlock downstream value and accelerate Make-in-India manufacturing."

He further highlighted the comprehensive support framework: "The assured supply arrangements, coupled with performance-linked incentives and renewable energy commitments, will provide investors with the confidence to scale. We are determined to build an ecosystem that supports MSME growth, creates local jobs, and drives technological improvements across the zinc value chain."

Tripura Group's Role and Capabilities

Tripura Group brings significant value to the partnership through:

• Decades of domain expertise in beneficiation inputs
• Process optimization capabilities for metal processing
• Technical expertise and operational delivery track record
• Position as a key anchor investor for Zinc Park

The collaboration is expected to drive operational synergies, improve beneficiation efficiency for downstream processors, and bolster the quality and reliability of inputs available to the industry.

Future Development Plans

Hindustan Zinc is continuing consultations with potential investors and stakeholders to scale up Zinc Park in a phased manner. The company will work closely with RIICO and state authorities to ensure the industrial park is delivered with strong sustainability credentials, industry-grade infrastructure, and a focus on skill development for local communities.

The project is designed to attract new investments, foster job creation, and boost local manufacturing, contributing significantly to Rajasthan's industrial growth while supporting the broader Make-in-India initiative.

Hindustan Zinc Limited has announced a strategic collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) to develop zinc-ion battery technology for large-scale renewable energy storage. The partnership has achieved a significant milestone by creating stable and reliable zinc-ion battery pouch cell prototypes, marking an important step in India's indigenous energy storage research.

Technology Development and Innovation

The collaboration focuses on addressing key challenges in zinc-ion battery technology, particularly optimizing electrode and electrolyte materials to achieve longer cycle life and higher energy density. JNCASR researchers, supported by Hindustan Zinc, are developing low-cost electrolyte formulations that enhance battery stability and performance.

The newly formulated electrolytes demonstrate improved stability and enable longer cycle life, with prototypes evaluated under realistic testing conditions that simulate solar energy applications.

Strategic Advantages and Market Position

Zinc-ion batteries are emerging as strong candidates for stationary energy storage due to several inherent advantages. The technology leverages the abundance, low cost, and wide availability of zinc resources, making it particularly suitable for large-scale deployment.

Key Technology Benefits:

• Safety: Exceptional safety profile with non-flammable aqueous electrolytes
• Cost-effectiveness: Lower material costs compared to alternative technologies
• Resource availability: Utilizes abundant zinc resources
• Scalability: Suitable for large-scale and long-duration deployment

While zinc-ion batteries currently have lower performance metrics than lithium-ion batteries, these distinct advantages position them as viable solutions for specific energy storage applications.

Leadership Perspectives

Mr. Arun Misra, CEO and Whole Time Director, Hindustan Zinc Limited, emphasized the strategic importance of the collaboration: "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."

Dr. Prem Senguttuvan, Associate Professor at JNCASR, highlighted the research significance: "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."

Future Applications and Industry Impact

The development aligns with Hindustan Zinc's broader strategy to accelerate sustainable energy solutions. Zinc plays a critical role across multiple industries including steel, renewable energy, battery storage, electrical and electronic components, and mobility sectors. Through next-generation zinc materials development in partnership with JNCASR, the company aims to establish foundations for a safer, greener, and more self-reliant energy future for India.

The collaboration represents a significant step toward indigenous energy storage technology development, potentially reducing dependence on imported battery technologies while leveraging India's natural zinc resources for the clean energy transition.