From infrastructure to energy storage: The expanding role of zinc in India’s development journey

India's development journey is poised for transformation, with infrastructure and energy storage playing increasingly crucial roles. The nation's pursuit of becoming a developed economy by 2047 hinges not only on rapid construction but also on the longevity of its assets. Corrosion, exacerbated by India's harsh environmental conditions, poses a significant threat to infrastructure, roads, bridges, transmission towers, and industrial facilities. The potential economic losses due to corrosion amount to nearly 5% of the country's GDP.

In response, zinc is emerging as a strategic industrial enabler, addressing the need for durable and long-lasting assets. Beyond protecting steel from corrosion, zinc supports infrastructure, manufacturing, renewable energy, agriculture, and increasingly, next-generation energy storage. Across industries, zinc-coated steel and zinc-based batteries are gaining prominence, enhancing durability, safety, and efficiency.

Zinc's applications extend to infrastructure, where galvanised steel protects critical facilities such as solar mounting structures, wind turbines, and transmission networks. In agriculture, zinc-enriched fertilisers address soil deficiencies, improving crop yields and food security. Hindustan Zinc, India's largest integrated zinc producer, is supporting the country's transition by supplying high-quality, responsibly-produced zinc for a diverse range of applications, from infrastructure and manufacturing to renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.

As India builds for the next century, zinc will play a pivotal role in strengthening critical investments and fostering a more resilient, competitive future.