SRM Institute of Science and Tech Licenses Its Cell Encapsulation Technology to Anabond

Why It Matters

The deal accelerates commercialization of a durability‑boosting solar material, lowering costs and enhancing reliability for India’s expanding photovoltaic fleet. It also demonstrates a viable revenue model for Indian research institutions partnering with manufacturing firms.

Key Takeaways

• SRMIST receives ₹1 crore upfront payment
• Royalty payments span seven years for encapsulant use
• Technology can extend solar cell life by 50 percent
• Encapsulant compatible with next‑gen TOPCon modules

Pulse Analysis

The solar industry is confronting accelerated degradation of photovoltaic modules, especially as higher‑efficiency architectures like TOPCon enter production. Cell‑encapsulant layers act as a barrier against moisture, UV radiation, and thermal cycling, extending module lifetimes and preserving performance. SRM Institute of Science and Technology has spent five years engineering a next‑generation encapsulant that can boost solar cell durability by up to 50 percent, a claim supported by laboratory accelerated‑aging tests. By targeting both conventional and emerging cell designs, the technology promises to reduce levelized cost of electricity and improve asset reliability for large‑scale solar farms.

The commercialisation route chosen by SRMIST and Anabond Ltd reflects a maturing Indian technology‑transfer ecosystem. Under the agreement, the university receives an upfront ₹1 crore and royalty streams for seven years, aligning incentives for continuous improvement of the encapsulant formulation. Anabond, known for industrial adhesives, leverages its manufacturing scale to produce the material at volume, while the SRMIST Technology Transfer Office ensures compliance and intellectual‑property protection. This hybrid model moves beyond one‑off research contracts, creating a sustainable revenue pipeline for the institute and fostering deeper R&D collaboration.

From a market perspective, the partnership positions Anabond as a new supplier of high‑performance solar materials in a sector dominated by a handful of global players. As India pursues its 450 GW renewable target, domestic sources of advanced encapsulants can shorten supply chains and lower import dependence. The royalty framework also encourages the university to iterate on the formulation, potentially unlocking further efficiency gains for next‑generation modules. Overall, the deal underscores the strategic value of academia‑industry synergies in accelerating India’s clean‑energy transition.