Hindalco, Indian Oil and Israel’s Phinergy join hands to make aluminum-air batteries

• Aditya Birla Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Phinergy and IOC Phinergy.
• The two companies will work exclusively with Hindalco in India, on R&D and pilot production of aluminium plates.
• Aluminum-Air technology enables energy generation by combining oxygen from ambient air with metals, specifically aluminum and zinc.

Aditya Birla Group’s metals flagship Hindalco Industries signed an agreement with Israel-based Phinergy and IOC Phinergy Private (IOP). The companies will work exclusively with Hindalco in India, on R&D and pilot production of aluminium plates for Aluminum-Air batteries.

The trio will also look into recycling of aluminum after usage in these batteries. “Climate action is integral to our business and our partnership with Phinergy and IOP is a significant step towards decarbonising mobility. The partnership is also a testament to Hindalco’s globally recognized capabilities in innovation and R&D and we are happy to contribute to the development of the Aluminum-Air battery,” Satish Pai, managing director of Hindalco Industries, said.

“India has an abundance of aluminum resources and this technology can help enhance the nation’s energy and resource security,” he added.

Aluminum-Air technology enables energy generation by combining oxygen from ambient air with metals, specifically aluminum and zinc. Aluminum-Air batteries offer a viable alternative to other battery chemistries and will boost the domestic manufacturing of batteries to meet India’s growing demand for energy storage.

Phinergy is a cleantech company famous for its metal-air battery technology, whereas IOC Phinergy is a joint venture between Phinergy and India's leading energy public sector unit (PSU) Indian Oil Corporation.

The partnership with Hindalco is a major step in the deployment of Aluminum-Air batteries in India and it will “significantly” enhance the development of an ecosystem enabling to supply “aluminum as energy” made in India, Phinergy’s CEO David Mayer said.

“The collaboration will propel India's aspirational journey towards sustainable, affordable and safe energy options for stationary and e-Mobility purposes," Sanjeev Gupta, chairperson of IOP, said.

The electric vehicles (EV) mark — which would be the primary segment for Aluminum-Air batteries — is projected to achieve cumulative sales of 80 million units by 2030, according to a joint report by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, and NITI Aayog.

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