India-EU Announce ₹169 Crore Push to Develop EV Battery Recycling Technologies

Why It Matters

Securing domestic battery recycling reduces reliance on imported raw materials and supports India’s fast‑growing EV market, while the EU gains a partner for resilient mineral supply chains and climate objectives.

Key Takeaways

• €15.2 M (≈$16.6 M) fund backs India‑EU EV battery recycling R&D.
• Pilot recycling line to be built in India for real‑world testing.
• Focus areas include high recovery, mixed chemistry, logistics, safety, second life.
• Initiative strengthens critical mineral security for both regions.
• Supports circular economy and deepens India‑EU green technology partnership.

Pulse Analysis

The rapid expansion of electric‑vehicle sales has turned battery raw materials—lithium, cobalt, graphite—into strategic commodities. Global demand for these minerals is outpacing supply, prompting governments to look beyond mining and toward end‑of‑life solutions. Europe’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s heavy‑industry push converge in a €15.2 million partnership that aims to close the loop, creating a domestic source of reclaimed critical minerals and reducing exposure to geopolitical supply shocks.

Under the India‑EU Trade and Technology Council’s Green and Clean Energy Working Group, the joint call for proposals invites researchers, startups and established firms to develop high‑efficiency recovery processes, digitalised collection networks and safe second‑life applications. By September 15, 2026, selected projects will receive funding to build a pilot recycling line on Indian soil, a move that integrates formal labs with the country’s informal scrap sector. The emphasis on mixed‑chemistry handling and logistics reflects the complex composition of modern EV batteries and the need for scalable, environmentally sound solutions.

Beyond the technical agenda, the initiative signals a deepening of Indo‑European ties in green innovation. For India, a robust recycling ecosystem safeguards raw‑material security for its burgeoning EV market and aligns with national climate commitments. For the EU, the partnership diversifies its supply chain and advances shared climate goals. Successful demonstration could catalyse commercial roll‑outs, attract private investment and set a template for cross‑continental collaboration on circular‑economy technologies.