EV Battery Recycling – India and EU Launch Joint Green Technology Partnership
EV Battery Recycling – India and the European Union have unveiled a major collaborative programme aimed at improving electric vehicle battery recycling technologies, marking a fresh step in their growing cooperation on clean energy and sustainable industrial development.
The newly announced initiative carries a total investment of 15.2 million euros, equivalent to nearly Rs 169 crore. The programme is designed to support the development of advanced recycling systems for EV batteries while strengthening access to critical raw materials needed for the global transition toward electric mobility.
Joint Programme Announced Under Trade and Technology Council
The announcement was made under the India-European Union Trade and Technology Council’s Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. According to details released by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the coordinated call for proposals officially opened on May 5. Interested participants will be able to submit proposals until September 15, 2026.
Officials stated that the collaboration aims to improve resource security, encourage sustainable industrial practices, and deepen strategic ties between India and the European Union.
Funding for the programme will come through the European Union’s Horizon Europe framework, while India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries will finance the domestic component of the project.
Focus on Advanced Battery Recycling Technologies
The initiative will primarily support research and development in modern recycling methods for electric vehicle batteries. Areas of focus include efficient recovery of valuable materials, safer battery collection systems, and digital tracking mechanisms designed to improve recycling operations.
Authorities said the programme will also encourage pilot-scale testing of innovative recycling solutions. A dedicated India-EU pilot facility is expected to be established in India to help validate technologies under real industrial conditions before large-scale deployment.
The collaboration is also expected to connect researchers, technology firms, industries, and startups from both regions to accelerate innovation in the sector.
Critical Minerals and Circular Economy Goals
The proposals invited under the programme will target several key areas linked to battery sustainability. These include achieving higher recovery rates for valuable minerals, managing batteries with mixed chemical compositions, improving logistics systems, and ensuring safety in second-life battery applications.
The initiative will particularly focus on minerals considered essential for electric vehicle manufacturing, including lithium, cobalt, and graphite.
Experts believe battery recycling will become increasingly important as demand for electric vehicles rises worldwide. Recycling technologies are expected to reduce dependence on imported raw materials while lowering environmental pressure from mining activities.
Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, described the initiative as an important milestone in India-EU cooperation.
He said India’s fast-growing electric vehicle sector requires a strong domestic recycling ecosystem to support long-term resource security and environmental sustainability goals.
European Union Ambassador to India Herve Delphin said batteries play a central role in the global clean energy transition. He noted that the partnership seeks to move technologies beyond the research stage and into practical industrial use, supporting both mineral security and climate-related objectives.
Push for Inclusive and Safer Recycling Systems
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, said the collaboration could significantly strengthen India’s circular economy framework.
She highlighted the importance of developing digital and inclusive logistics systems that can safely integrate informal sector participation while maintaining high operational and environmental standards for battery reuse and recycling.
Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, said the partnership demonstrates growing cooperation between India and the EU in green innovation.
According to him, the joint effort aims to create a more resilient cross-border value chain that keeps strategically important materials within participating economies while supporting future clean energy needs.