Offgrid Energy Labs launches UK pilot manufacturing facility for ZincGel long-duration energy storage batteries

India-based Offgrid Energy Labs has launched its first ZincGel battery manufacturing facility in Hook, Hampshire, UK. The facility includes a 10 MWh pilot production line and marks the company’s transition from laboratory-scale development to commercial manufacturing of its zinc-bromine long-duration energy storage battery technology.

The company said the UK facility will serve as its first commercial pilot manufacturing line for the ZincGel battery platform, which was developed in India.

The launch comes as India focuses on building the storage infrastructure required to support its long-term target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The Central Electricity Authority estimates that the country’s energy storage requirement will reach 411.4 GWh by 2031-32, including more than 236 GWh from battery energy storage systems, highlighting the growing need for scalable, safe and cost-effective storage technologies. For India, which is simultaneously expanding renewable energy deployment and building domestic advanced manufacturing capability, the development of non-lithium storage platforms represents an important opportunity to enhance technological self-reliance and strengthen long-term energy sovereignty

Offgrid said its proprietary ZincGel platform built on zinc-bromine chemistry is designed for manufacturability, scalability, and commercial viability from inception. Unlike lithium-ion systems, ZincGel is non-flammable — eliminating the thermal-runaway failure mechanism behind lithium-ion battery fires — and is engineered to deliver 100% depth of discharge every day across a 6-to-16-hour discharge range and a 20-year operating life. It has been specifically designed for infrastructure-scale use cases such as renewable integration, peak-load management, microgrids, and industrial backup resilience.

“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,” said Rishi Srivastava, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs. “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.”  

The facility is launched ahead of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which is scheduled to take effect on July 15.

The ZincGel battery technology benefits from secure bromine supply relationships and industrial backing from Archean Chemical Industries, India’s largest bromine exporter with established global supply capabilities. In parallel, Offgrid is supported by Ankur Capital, a science-led venture fund recognised for backing deep-technology sustainability ventures.

“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,” added Tejas Kusurkar, Co-founder, Offgrid Energy Labs. “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.”

Offgrid Energy Labs is an IP-driven battery innovation company founded in India. The company is registered in India, UK, and USA and its technology is protected by more than 60 patents filed across the UK, EU, India and the United States.