IIT Roorkee, WRI India sign agreement to advance sustainable batteries, clean energy research

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee and WRI India have signed an agreement to work together on research and knowledge-sharing initiatives related to sustainable batteries, circular economy, critical minerals, clean energy transition and resource efficiency.

The collaboration is aimed at supporting India's growing focus on clean energy adoption, sustainable mobility and the development of a stronger domestic battery ecosystem. Both institutions will work together on research, innovation, policy studies, capacity building and academic engagement in areas linked to energy and sustainability.

The agreement was signed by Vivek Kumar Malik, dean, sponsored research and industrial consultancy (SRIC), IIT Roorkee, and Pawan Kumar Mulukutla, executive program director – integrated transport, clean air and hydrogen, WRI India. The exchanged copies of the agreement were presented during the Battery Summit 2026 held at Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi.

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Collaboration to focus on research

Under the agreement, IIT Roorkee and WRI India will undertake joint research projects, workshops, training programmes, conferences and academic exchanges. The partnership will also encourage interaction among students, faculty members and researchers.

The key focus areas include sustainable mobility, battery technologies, recycling, resource efficiency, circular economy practices and critical mineral value chains. The collaboration will provide a platform for research-driven solutions and knowledge generation in these sectors.

Supporting India's energy transition

The organisations noted that the rapid growth of renewable energy, electric mobility and advanced manufacturing has increased the need for sustainable battery solutions, resilient supply chains and responsible use of resources.

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Through this partnership, both sides aim to contribute to these areas by promoting innovation, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based policy discussions. The collaboration is also expected to support broader sustainability and development goals.

Director highlights need for partnerships

Speaking about the collaboration, IIT Roorkee director Kamal Kishore Pant said, "The transition towards a sustainable and self-reliant energy future requires strong collaboration among academia, industry, research organizations, and policymakers."

He said the partnership with WRI India would open new opportunities for research, innovation, capacity building and knowledge creation in areas such as sustainable batteries, circular economy, critical minerals and clean mobility. According to him, the initiative is in line with national priorities including atmanirbhar bharat, sustainable industrial growth and India's Net Zero aspirations.

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Framework for joint initiatives

Vivek Kumar Malik described the agreement as an important framework for collaborative research and academic engagement between the two institutions.

"The agreement provides a valuable framework for collaborative research, academic exchange, and capacity-building initiatives. By combining IIT Roorkee's research strengths with WRI India's expertise in sustainable development and policy engagement, we aim to create meaningful outcomes that contribute to technological advancement and evidence-based decision-making," he said.

The two organisations said the partnership reflects their shared commitment to advancing sustainable technologies and encouraging innovation in clean energy and mobility sectors. They added that the collaboration seeks to create meaningful outcomes at the intersection of research, technology, policy and sustainable development while contributing to India's long-term clean energy goals.