Offgrid Energy Labs, an India-founded, IP-led battery innovation company, launched its first ZincGel® pilot manufacturing facility in Hook, Hampshire, United Kingdom, on 7 July 2026.

The initial 10 MWh demonstration facility will serve as the company’s first commercial pilot manufacturing line, marking the transition of its India-developed energy storage technology from laboratory innovation to international-scale production.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for India’s energy transition. India has already achieved 50 per cent of its installed electricity capacity from non-fossil sources ahead of schedule and is now focused on developing the storage infrastructure required to support its target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

The Central Electricity Authority estimates that India’s energy storage requirement will reach 411.4 GWh by 2031-32, including more than 236 GWh from battery energy storage systems. This highlights the growing need for scalable, safe and cost-effective storage technologies.

Originally conceptualised and developed within India’s deep-science ecosystem, Offgrid’s proprietary ZincGel® platform is based on zinc-bromine chemistry and was designed for manufacturability, scalability and commercial viability from inception.

Unlike lithium-ion systems, ZincGel® is non-flammable, eliminating the thermal-runaway failure mechanism associated with lithium-ion battery fires. It is engineered to deliver 100 per cent depth of discharge every day across a discharge duration of six to 16 hours and an operating life of 20 years.

The technology has been designed for infrastructure-scale applications, including renewable energy integration, peak-load management, microgrids and industrial backup resilience.

Rishi Srivastava, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs, said, “The launch of our UK manufacturing facility represents an important milestone not only for Offgrid, but for the global commercialisation of Indian deep-tech innovation.

“We are launching at a pivotal moment for the India-UK relationship as the CETA takes effect from the 15th of July. As the world scales renewable energy deployment and strengthens its focus on energy security and supply-chain resilience, there is an increasing need for next-generation storage technologies that are safe, scalable and built for long-duration applications.

“We believe ZincGel® can play a meaningful role in supporting both India’s and the world’s energy transition. By establishing our first manufacturing capability in the UK, we are creating a foundation to serve global markets while demonstrating how India-origin innovation can contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing energy challenges around energy sovereignty, industrial resilience and decarbonisation.”

Established against the backdrop of the India-UK CETA, which also facilitates the movement of professional talent between the two countries, the facility reflects the growing strategic importance of diversifying global battery supply chains beyond lithium.

As countries seek to strengthen energy security and reduce dependence on concentrated critical mineral ecosystems, alternative battery technologies are receiving greater attention.

For India, which is simultaneously expanding renewable energy deployment and developing domestic advanced manufacturing capabilities, non-lithium storage platforms represent an opportunity to enhance technological self-reliance and strengthen long-term energy sovereignty.

The ZincGel® battery technology benefits from secure bromine supply relationships and industrial backing from Archean Chemical Industries, India’s largest bromine exporter, which has established global supply capabilities.

Offgrid is also supported by Ankur Capital, a science-led venture fund recognised for backing deep-technology sustainability ventures.

Tejas Kusurkar, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs, said, “The energy transition requires a portfolio of battery chemistries designed for different applications. While existing technology has been instrumental in enabling mobility and short-duration storage, long-duration stationary applications demand technologies that prioritise safety, deep discharge capability, longevity and supply-chain resilience.

“ZincGel® is built on zinc-bromine chemistry, using abundant and widely available materials to deliver safe, non-flammable, long-duration storage for grid-scale applications. As renewable energy penetration increases, alternative battery chemistries such as zinc-based systems will play an increasingly important role in delivering reliable, cost-effective and resilient energy storage.”

The establishment of the UK manufacturing facility marks the first step in Offgrid’s broader vision of developing globally competitive battery technologies originating from India.

As countries accelerate renewable energy deployment and seek resilient storage solutions, the company aims to establish a globally distributed manufacturing footprint anchored by Indian innovation, intellectual property and materials expertise.

By combining India-origin deep-tech development with international manufacturing capabilities, Offgrid seeks to contribute to energy security, industrial resilience and the global transition towards low-carbon power systems.