MeitY transfers cost effective Li-ion battery recycling technology to 9 recycling industries & start-ups

As part of the Mission LiFE’s “Promote circularity campaign,” the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has successfully transferred a cost-effective Li-ion battery recycling technology to nine recycling industries and start-ups.

This indigenous technology is capable of processing various types of discarded Li-ion batteries and recovering more than 95% of the Lithium (Li), Cobalt (Co), Manganese (Mn), and Nickel (Ni) contents in the form of their corresponding oxides/carbonates with a purity of around 98%. The recycling process involves leaching and hierarchical selective extraction of metal values through a solvent extraction process. These secondary raw materials can be used for battery manufacturing or other potential applications.

The development of this technology took place under the “Centre of Excellence on E-waste management” established at the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Hyderabad in collaboration with the Government of Telangana and industry partner M/s Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad.

Shri. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, commended the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) for its efforts in the Centre of Excellence (CoE) model of translational R&D and innovation, along with partner industry involvement. He praised the handover of Li-ion battery recycling technology to nine local industries, highlighting its significant contribution to the circular economy.

MeitY is at the forefront of showcasing the outcomes of technology development in one of the eleven verticals of the circular economy selected by NITI Aayog, which positions India as a leader in this field among major economies.

Shri. Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary of MeitY, commended the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on E-waste Management, C-MET, Hyderabad, for developing low-cost technology for local recycling industries and start-ups. He acknowledged the special efforts of the Government of Telangana and M/s. Greenko Energies Private Limited in nurturing this unique concept in the country and promoting translational research for commercialization. He also expressed appreciation for the C-MET scientists’ venture into niche technology development, such as hafnium metal sponge, which is only available in a few countries.