**Executive Summary**
On April 2, 2026, the Technology Development Board (TDB) announced financial assistance for Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited to commercialize bio-waste-derived hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries. The project aims to establish indigenous production of advanced anode materials, reducing dependence on imported raw materials and supporting India’s clean energy transition. This initiative focuses on creating a sustainable, cost-effective, and self-reliant battery ecosystem using locally available agricultural residues.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Overview and Funding**
* The TDB, under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), is providing financial support to Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited, Roorkee.
* The project is titled “Commercialization of Bio-waste / Agricultural Waste Derived Hard Carbon for Sodium-Ion Batteries.”
* The primary goal is to scale up the production of indigenous hard carbon materials tailored for sodium-ion battery (SIB) applications.
**Technical Specifications and Advantages**
* Hard carbon derived from bio-waste and agricultural residues will be used as the key anode material for SIBs.
* Advantages of hard carbon include high initial coulombic efficiency, stable cycling performance, and enhanced energy storage capacity.
* Unlike graphite, hard carbon retains its disordered microstructure and porosity even at high temperatures, making it ideal for sodium-ion chemistry.
* Sodium-ion technology is a viable alternative to lithium-ion systems due to the geographical abundance of sodium and carbon.
**Strategic Applications**
* The technology is targeted at grid-scale energy storage and UPS/inverter systems.
* It is suitable for solar street lighting and low-speed electric mobility, including e-rickshaws, e-scooters, and e-cycles.
**Sustainability and Circular Economy**
* The project utilizes a “waste-to-value” approach by leveraging agricultural and bio-waste streams.
* The initiative promotes circular and resource-efficient manufacturing practices.
* It reduces global supply chain risks associated with lithium by using more abundant resources.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited**
**Impact**
The company receives financial assistance to accelerate the commercialization of sustainable battery materials and scale up its production capabilities.
**Action Required**
The company must scale its manufacturing processes to produce indigenous hard carbon materials for sodium-ion battery applications.
**Technology Development Board (TDB) / Ministry of Science & Technology**
**Impact**
The TDB fulfills its objective of supporting indigenous materials innovation and building a resilient, self-reliant battery ecosystem in India.
**Action Required**
Monitor the project's progress in establishing indigenous capabilities for advanced anode material production.
**Indian Battery and Energy Storage Industry**
**Impact**
Stakeholders in grid storage, UPS systems, and electric mobility gain access to a cost-effective, sustainable, and locally sourced alternative to lithium-ion technology.
**Action Required**
Industry players should prepare to integrate next-generation sodium-ion battery technologies into applications such as solar lighting and low-speed electric vehicles.
Key Entities Referenced
Technology Development Board (TDB): A statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology that provided financial assistance for the commercialization of indigenous battery materials.
Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited: The private company supported by TDB to scale up production of bio-waste derived hard carbon for sodium-ion batteries.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): The administrative department under the Ministry of Science & Technology that facilitates the commercialization of indigenous technologies through TDB.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak: Secretary of the Technology Development Board who underscored the importance of indigenous materials innovation for India's clean energy transition.
Roorkee, Uttarakhand: The central location of the project and the company establishing indigenous capabilities for advanced anode material production.
Ministry of Science & Technology
“TDB-DST supports Indigenous Energy Storage
Technologies Pvt. Ltd. for Commercialization of
Bio-Waste Derived Hard Carbon for Sodium-Ion
Batteries”
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 12:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government
of India, has extended financial assistance to Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited,
Roorkee, Uttarakhand for the project titled “Commercialization of Bio-waste / Agricultural Waste
Derived Hard Carbon for Sodium-Ion Batteries.” The project aims to establish indigenous capabilities
for the production of advanced anode materials, contributing to the development of cost-effective and
sustainable energy storage technologies in the country.
The TDB-supported project focuses on the commercial-scale production of hard carbon derived from bio-
waste and agricultural residues, to be used as a key anode material in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs).
Sodium-ion technology is emerging as a viable alternative to conventional lithium-ion systems,
particularly for applications such as grid-scale energy storage, UPS/inverter systems, solar street lighting,
and low-speed electric mobility, including e-rickshaws, e-scooters, and e-cycles.
Hard carbon, as a class of carbonaceous materials, offers significant advantages for sodium-ion batteries,
including high initial coulombic efficiency, stable cycling performance, and enhanced energy storage
capacity. Unlike graphite, hard carbon retains its disordered microstructure and porosity even at high
temperatures, making it particularly suitable for sodium-ion chemistry. The use of biomass-derived
precursors further enhances sustainability by utilizing locally available resources and reducing
dependence on imported raw materials.
By leveraging agricultural and bio-waste streams, the project introduces a circular and resource-efficient
approach to advanced material manufacturing. The technology also addresses critical supply chain
concerns, as sodium and carbon resources are more abundant and geographically distributed compared to
lithium, thereby reducing exposure to global supply risks.
With TDB support, Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited will scale up its production
capabilities and enable the commercialization of indigenous hard carbon materials tailored for sodium-
ion battery applications. The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s position in next-generation
battery technologies while promoting sustainable manufacturing practices.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated that the development of
alternative energy storage technologies is critical for India’s clean energy transition. He noted that
projects focused on indigenous materials innovation, particularly those leveraging waste-to-value
approaches, are essential for building a resilient and self-reliant battery ecosystem in the country.Promoters of Indigenous Energy Storage Technologies Private Limited expressed appreciation for the
support and highlighted that the project will enable the company to accelerate commercialization of
sustainable battery materials, while contributing to the development of affordable and scalable energy
storage solutions.
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NKR/FT
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