- Volume Enhancement, Cost Reduction, Sustainable Metals & Value Creation among key focus areas for Hindustan Zinc: Chairperson Priya Agarwal Hebbar at the 58th Annual General Meeting
Udaipur, 29th July: Hindustan Zinc Limited (NSE: HINDZINC) in its efforts to support the ongoing global energy transition and thrust on emerging clean tech, will explore new avenues of zinc applications in batteries. The company will do so alongside its focus on volume enhancement, reduction in cost of production and creating value for stakeholders, Chairperson Priya Agarwal Hebbar said on Monday at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. The company is the world’s second-largest integrated zinc producer and third-largest silver producer.
Incorporated in 1966 as a public sector undertaking, Hindustan Zinc was disinvested in 2002 with a controlling stake sold to Vedanta Group (erstwhile Sterlite Industries). The company since then has been a frontrunner in zinc and silver production in the world and one of India’s most successful disinvestment achievement stories.
Speaking at the company’s annual shareholders meeting, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson Hindustan Zinc, said, “Hindustan Zinc, one of India’s most valuable companies in the metals & minerals sector, already produces zinc and silver, two critical metals which will see ever increasing demand given their use in new, emerging technologies in addition to the traditional demand. With the world undergoing an energy transition, developing climate-friendly technologies will be highly mineral intensive, and the metals & mining sector will have a big role to play to support this transition. At Hindustan Zinc, we are committed to being future-ready and augmenting the supply of critical minerals, for India and for the world.”
Hindustan Zinc with one of largest product portfolios in the zinc-lead-silver segment is constantly exploring new avenues for applications that support the ongoing global energy transition.
Speaking on the company’s efforts to support the ongoing global energy transition, Arun Misra, CEO Hindustan Zinc, said “Our climate action initiatives are focussed on aiding the global energy transition through sustainable sources of energy. Batteries have the potential to accelerate this transition through energy storage. While Lithium batteries are currently in focus, lack of domestic availability of lithium and safety of lithium batteries are key challenges for the global energy transition. Zinc presents a safe, stable and credible opportunity to replace lithium in batteries. We have taken the first step with our proposed partnership with US based Aesir Tech, specializing in next-gen zinc battery tech. In addition, we are also exploring research avenues in battery technology with premier academic institutions in India. Hindustan Zinc with its vast domestic zinc reserves, is well poised to accelerate India’s mission to a cleaner tomorrow and our Zinc battery initiative will also help in saving exchequer’s funds due to zinc’s abundance in the country.”
The company’s market capitalisation is the highest among all mining & metals companies in India. Hindustan Zinc’s total shareholder return in the past 15 months was 4x of the NIFTY 50 return and 2x of NIFTY METAL return. The company’s current market capitalization stands at about INR 2.6 lakh crores, which is the highest among all metal and mining peers in India. This marks a growth of more than 400 times in market capitalization from a mere INR 600 crore two decades ago. Hindustan Zinc is recognized as the world’s most sustainable metals & mining company as per S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment.
As the company gears up for FY25, it projects mined and refined metal production to reach 1,100-1,125 kt and 1,075-1,100 kt, respectively. Hindustan Zinc’s saleable silver production for FY25 is projected to be between 750-775 MT and the zinc cost of production is expected to be in between US$ 1,050-1,100 per MT.
The company’s growth plans are further supported with the ramp up of all major projects commissioned in the previous year and better capacity utilization. Hindustan Zinc’s expansion projects include 160,000 tonnes per annum roaster and 510,000 tonnes per annum fertiliser plant which are on track. The company also recently received regulatory approvals with respect to Bamnia Kalan mine, which is expected to become operational soon.
Earlier this week, Priya Agarwal Hebbar, launched EcoZen Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc, a new product offering of Hindustan Zinc. The new product has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced. EcoZen, manufactured using renewable energy, has one of the lowest global warming potentials (GWP) values on the market about 75% lower than the global average. This newest offering will lead to a total carbon emission avoidance of about 400 kgs across customers’ value chain in galvanizing one tonne of steel with Hindustan Zinc’s EcoZen. The offering demonstrates Hindustan Zinc’s commitment to decarbonize its operations as well as provide its customers with an unmatched competitive advantage to in turn serve their customers with more sustainable choices.
About Hindustan Zinc Limited
Hindustan Zinc Limited (BSE: 500188 and NSE: HINDZINC), a Vedanta Group company, is the world’s largest integrated zinc producer and the third-largest silver producer. The company supplies to more than 40 countries and holds a market share of about 75% of the primary zinc market in India. Hindustan Zinc has been recognized as the world’s most sustainable company in the metals and mining category for the second consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, reflecting its operational excellence, innovation, and leading ESG practices. The company also launched EcoZen, Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc brand. Produced using renewable energy, EcoZen has a carbon footprint of less than 1 tonne of carbon equivalent per tonne of zinc produced, about 75% lower than the global average. Hindustan Zinc is also a certified 2.41 times Water-Positive company and is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. Transforming the lives of 1.9 million people through its focused social welfare initiatives, Hindustan Zinc is among the Top 10 CSR companies in India. As an energy transition metals company, Hindustan Zinc is pivotal in providing critical metals essential for a sustainable future.
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