India's Battery Recycling Boom: Powering Clean Energy Future

India's burgeoning battery recycling industry is emerging as a cornerstone of its clean energy transition, vital for recovering valuable minerals like lithium and cobalt. This sector plays a crucial role in reducing the nation's dependence on imported metals, essential for its expanding electric vehicle and solar power infrastructure. A recent study highlighted the potential for this industry to create 100,000 green jobs and meet nearly 40% of the country's demand for key minerals.

Despite this potential, the system faces significant challenges. While India possesses substantial battery recycling capacity, supply chain gaps limit its full utilization. Much of India's waste recycling is handled by an informal sector, estimated at four million workers, operating without formal contracts. The country's 2022 battery waste management rules, aimed at ensuring environmentally safe disposal, have seen poor implementation due to these informal sector dynamics and a lack of structured recycling industries.

Properly recycling EV batteries, which can contain up to 90% recoverable materials, is critical. Methods include shredding or smelting, followed by chemical processing to extract metals. Alternatively, batteries can be repurposed for energy storage. However, improper disposal poses environmental risks, including toxic contamination and hazardous gas emissions. Experts advocate for formalization programs to transition informal workers into safer, accountable roles, thereby supporting the growth of a responsible and sustainable battery recycling ecosystem.