We are pleased to announce the formal release of our report titled " Strategies with Action Plans for implementing Battery waste circularity in India" as a part of the EU-India CECP project. This report, developed for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), GoI, presents a detailed assessment of the existing battery waste ecosystem and outlines the strategic roadmap to enable an efficient, sustainable, and scalable circular economy model for end-of-life batteries in India.
The report was officially launched during the thematic session " Urban Mining as a Business: Unlocking Profitability, Finance & Global Trade in battery circularity" at the India Energy Storage Week- 2025 organized by IESA on 8th July 2025. The session was graced by Mr. Bartosz Przywara (Counsellor for Energy Climate & Environment, European Union Delegation to India), Mr. Pratyush Sinha (VP-Special Projects, Lohum), Mr. Balki Iyer (Founder & Chairman, Bridge Green Upcycle), Mr. Utkarsh Singh (Co-founder and CEO, BatX Energies), Mr. Rajesh Goyal (Founder Member, Polyprotic), and Mr. Rajesh Gupta (Founder & MD, Recycle Kro).
Aling with the presence of senior policymakers, domain experts, and leading industry stakeholders representing various segments of battery value chain.
The discussion highlighted the need for robust framework, investment in advanced recycling technologies, and the development of localized reverse logistics and materials recovery infrastructure systems. The report aims to support policymakers and industry players in accelerating the transition towards a closed loop battery value chain - critical for resource security, environmental sustainability, and long-term energy transition goals.
Background of the study:
India is aggressively pursuing its climate commitments, aiming to achieve 50% of its power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. With a current installation of 146.6 GW of renewable energy, the goal is to reach 500 GW, which necessitates robust Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This transition is further amplified by the growing demand for advanced battery solutions, driven by a targeted 30% penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) by 2030. However, India faces challenges due to a lack of critical battery minerals, underscoring the need for a strong circular economy for lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) to ensure sustainability and reduce import dependence.
Battery circularity is recognized as pivotal for achieving net-zero emissions, a priority shared by both India and the EU. Establishing sustainable recycling processes is crucial to address battery waste management challenges, as current domestic infrastructure is insufficient to meet future demands, especially with the rise in EV adoption and critical mineral demand. The EU-India Battery Circularity Report, part of the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership and developed by PwC India, evaluates India’s battery recycling ecosystem and leverages EU expertise in waste management. It explores technology dependence and promotes collaboration to foster a sustainable battery market in India and diversify supply chains through strategic partnerships and stakeholder engagement.
To support India’s ambitious decarbonization plans, robust policy frameworks and strategic collaborations are essential. The development of a circular economy for batteries will play a critical role in reducing import dependence, managing waste sustainably, and ensuring a resilient supply chain. This includes initiatives such as the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, which mandate Extended Producer Responsibility and material recovery, highlighting the importance of strengthening such policies.
Session Objectives:
The summit witnessed the launch of the EU-India CECP report on “Strategies with action plan for implementing Battery Waste Circularity in India”. The key objective of the event was to facilitate discussion on the focus areas for the smooth implementation of battery waste management in India. The main focus areas of discussion included:
- Estimation of collectible EoL (end of life) battery waste and developing a collection mechanism
- Critical mineral recovery potential from recycling
- Viewpoint recycling technology
- EU-India collaboration areas in the realm of battery waste circularity
- Recommendations with detailed action plan for catapulting the growth of battery circularity in India
