India Invests in Sustainable Lithium-ion Battery Recycling
The Government of India is taking significant strides towards promoting sustainable technologies with its latest initiative to support the domestic recycling of lithium-ion batteries. The Technology Development Board (TDB) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) has awarded funding to MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for their project titled “Sustainable Recycling of Waste Lithium-ion Batteries,” aimed at creating a robust framework for recycling critical minerals.
This ground-breaking project seeks to commercialize a fully indigenous, zero-discharge recycling process that extracts battery-grade lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese salts from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. By enhancing India’s capacity to recover these valuable resources through cutting-edge recycling technologies, the initiative aims to minimize the country’s dependence on imports while advancing the clean energy transition.
Innovative Recycling Solutions
MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. stands out as India’s pioneering R4 category recycler, providing comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for managing retired lithium-ion batteries, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services. Their innovative approach employs a patented process known as Hybrid Hydrometallurgy™, which accommodates various battery chemistries and types, ensuring efficient recovery.
Thanks to their advanced black mass recovery and post-processing technology, the company boasts an impressive recovery rate of up to 99 percent while maintaining low energy consumption and minimal emissions. The entire operation—from initial assessment and collection to advanced processing stages including extraction and beneficiation—has been indigenously developed, highlighting India’s push towards self-reliance in technology and resources.
Building a Self-Reliant Future
As part of the project, MiniMines plans to scale its operations into a fully integrated commercial facility that can process various battery chemistries, producing high-purity critical materials for both domestic and international markets. The recovered compounds, such as lithium carbonate and cobalt sulphate, will meet industry specifications, ensuring they can be reintegrated into the market effectively.
Expressing his views on the initiative, **Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of the TDB**, emphasized the importance of developing indigenous technologies for retrieving critical minerals from discarded batteries. He stated, “This project is vital for enhancing India’s energy security and fostering a clean technology ecosystem, further supporting a circular economy.
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