The Technology Development Board (TDB) has taken a significant step towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship by entering into an agreement with *M/s Remine India Private Limited. The collaboration aims to establish a commercial plant for recycling Li-ion batteries and e-waste using indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET) in Hyderabad.
Project Overview
- Project Title: Setting up a commercial plant for recycling of Li Battery and E-Waste using Indigenous Technology
- Location: Eldeco, SIIDCUL Industrial Area in Sitarganj, Uttarakhand
- Date of Agreement: 27th March 2024
- Financial Assistance: TDB has pledged ₹7.5 crores out of the total project cost of ₹15 crores.
Why Li-ion Battery Recycling Matters
- Environmental Impact: The escalating imports of e-waste, particularly spent Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs), pose environmental and safety concerns. Disposal through landfilling and incineration is not sustainable.
- Value Creation: Efficient recycling of Li-ion batteries provides a vital source of secondary raw materials for cell manufacturing within the country.
- Market Potential: The lithium-ion battery recycling market is projected to reach USD 14.89 billion by 2030, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.6%. However, currently, only 5% of Li-ion batteries undergo recycling and reuse, while 95% end up in landfills.
- Informal Sector Challenges: The dominance of the informal sector in e-waste management has adverse environmental and economic implications.
Indigenous Technology and Circular Economy
- The project leverages indigenous technology developed by CMET, Hyderabad.
- By recycling Li-ion batteries and e-waste, this initiative contributes to a circular economy.
- Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of TDB, emphasized the need to engage informal recyclers with formal recyclers, thereby promoting circular practices¹.