India-EU Initiative to Boost EV Battery Recycling and Circular Economy

News: India and the European Union (EU) have jointly launched a ₹169 crore initiative to strengthen electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and promote a circular economy, marking a significant step in their growing partnership on clean and green technologies.

About India-EU Initiative to Boost EV Battery Recycling and Circular Economy

• The Initiative has been launched under the framework of the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) – Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
• Aim: It aims to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular economy, and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the European Union (EU).
• Funding and Implementing Agency: With a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (₹169 crore), the initiative will be funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will support the Indian component.
• Focus Areas of Initiative
  • The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalized collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes.
  • It will 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.
  • It will focus on High Recovery Rates; Mixed Chemistry Handling; Logistics & Inclusion and Safety & Second Life for critical minerals like lithium, graphite, and cobalt.
  • A key component of the initiative is the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India, which will facilitate real-world validation and industrial deployment of recycling technologies.
  • The programme will bring together researchers, industry stakeholders, and startups from both regions.
  • The initiative will prioritize areas such as high recovery rates, handling of mixed battery chemistries, logistics and inclusion, and ensuring safety and second-life applications for critical minerals like lithium, graphite, and cobalt.

About EU’s Horizon Europe Programme

• Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation.
• Focus areas: It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
• The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges.
• It supports the creation and better diffusion of excellent knowledge and technologies.
• Pillars: The programme is organized into three main pillars:
  • Excellent Science: Supporting top-level research via the European Research Council (ERC).
  • Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness: Funding research on climate change, digital technologies, and health.
  • Innovative Europe: Boosting market-creating innovations through the European Innovation Council (EIC).