India, EU to strengthen EV battery recycling capacity

• Under the framework of the EU-India Trade & Technology Council (TTC)- Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, India and the European Union announced the launch of a third coordinated call for proposals focused on the recycling of EV batteries. 

• With a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (Rs 169 crore), this initiative marks a significant leap in bilateral cooperation to secure critical raw materials and drive the global transition to a circular economy.

• As the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) surges, both India and the EU are prioritising the recovery of strategic materials like lithium, graphite, and cobalt to reduce reliance on international imports. 

• By 2030, India alone is estimated to have 128 GWh of recyclable battery capacity. 

• This collaboration aims to transform battery waste into a “virtual mine”, recovering high-purity materials that can be fed directly back into the production of new batteries.

• The initiative will be funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will support the Indian component.

• The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes. 

• It will also support the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world validation and industrial deployment, bringing together leading researchers, industries, and startups.

• The EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is a high-level strategic platform designed to deepen cooperation between the European Union and India on trade, technology, and innovation. It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in April 2022, formally launched in February 2023, and held its first ministerial meeting in May 2023.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)