Hindalco, Phinergy And IOP Forge Partnership For Development Of Aluminium-air Batteries

Metal major Hindalco Industries Ltd has signed an MoU with Israel based battery maker Phinergy and IOC Phinergy Private Ltd (IOP). This collaboration will pave the way for Phinergy and IOP to work with Hindalco in India for R&D and pilot production of aluminium plates for Aluminium-Air batteries. It will facilitate recycling of aluminium, following usage in these batteries.

IOC Phinergy Private Ltd is a joint venture between Phinergy and India-based leading energy PSU Indian Oil Corporation.

The official statement of Hindalco holds that Phinergy’s Aluminium-Air battery  works when energy is released after aluminum reacts with oxygen in ambient air to generate aluminium hydroxide, which can be recycled to recover aluminium. The technology is being tested by several automobile manufacturers in India.

Because it boasts of light weight and high density of energy, this battery greatly expands the driving range of EVs. It also facilitates quick ‘refuelling’ and eliminates the need for expensive nationwide charging networks.

Aluminium-air batteries have the potential to make EV adoption more convenient, and catalyze the transition to zero emission mobility.

Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco said that “the partnership is a testament to Hindalco’s globally recognised capabilities in innovation and R&D and the company is happy to contribute to the development of the Aluminium-air battery.”

David Mayer, CEO, Phinergy, stated, “Phinergy strongly believes Aluminium-Air batteries will contribute to the clean energy revolution in India. The partnership with Hindalco, a global aluminium industry leader, is a major step in the deployment of Aluminium-Air batteries in India and we are confident this collaboration will significantly enhance the development of an ecosystem enabling to supply ‘aluminium as energy’ made in India.“

Sanjeev Gupta, Chairman, IOP, added, “Aluminium is abundantly available in India and its usage as an energy storage medium through this novel technology has the potential to contribute immensely to Atmanirbhar Bharat. This partnership with Hindalco is a big step towards catalysing our efforts to develop a favourable ecosystem for faster dissemination of the Aluminium-Air battery technology. The collaboration will propel India’s aspirational journey towards sustainable, affordable and safe energy options for stationary and e-Mobility purposes.”

Aluminium air battery has a future because the EV market is projected to achieve total sales worth 80 million units by 2030. These batteries make for a feasible alternative to other battery chemistries. Not just that, they will also enhance the domestic manufacturing of batteries to meet the country’s ever-expanding demand for energy storage.