India Pushes For Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling As Part Of Green Transition

Photo: ANI

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – India plans to introduce incentives for recycling 24 critical minerals, including lithium and cobalt, this year, as part of efforts to secure resources vital for the green energy transition, Reuters reports.

These 24 minerals have been identified as strategic and essential for India’s clean energy goals and its target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. The initiative aims to increase India’s capacity to recycle lithium-ion batteries, with plans to expand beyond the current capacity of 75,000 metric tons per year.

India has allocated 15 billion rupees for the recycling of these minerals. The funds will be spent over the next four to five years and should be enough to jumpstart the industry.

In addition, the government recently removed customs duties on waste and scrap materials for critical substances, including lead, zinc, cobalt powder, and lithium-ion batteries, in a move aimed at boosting supply. These materials are crucial for the production of electric vehicles, which India is promoting to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.