India, EU launch €15.2 million initiative to boost EV battery recycling and circular economy

New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) have jointly launched a €15.2 million (approximately ₹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.

The initiative, announced under the framework of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group-2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, includes a coordinated call for proposals focused on EV battery recycling. The deadline for submissions has been set for September 15, 2026.

The program will be funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative, while India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries will support domestic participation.

The joint call aims to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the transition to a circular economy, and deepen India-EU cooperation. It will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery systems, safe and digitalised collection mechanisms, and pilot-scale demonstrations of innovative processes.

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 program will bring together researchers, industry stakeholders, and startups from both regions.

The call 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.

Speaking on the development, Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, described the initiative as a “pivotal moment” in the India-EU strategic partnership. He emphasized that as India’s EV market expands rapidly, building a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is crucial for ensuring resource security and meeting environmental goals.

EU Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin highlighted the central role of batteries in the green transition and stressed the importance of translating innovation into real-world deployment to support shared climate objectives.

Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, said the initiative would accelerate India’s transition towards a circular economy while promoting inclusive and digitally enabled logistics systems.

Meanwhile, Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, underlined that the collaboration would help build a resilient cross-continental value chain and ensure long-term access to critical materials.

(DD News)