India and EU Launch Major €15.2 Million/~?169 Crore Joint Initiative to Revolutionize EV Battery Recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)-Working Group-2
Launch of Research & Innovation Calls
Under the framework of the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)- Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, the Government of India and the European Union today announced the launch of a third coordinated call for proposals focused on the Recycling of EV Batteries. With a combined funding pool of €15.2 Million (~₹169 Crore), this initiative marks a significant leap in bilateral cooperation to secure critical raw materials and drive the global transition to a circular economy. The submission deadline for this call is 15 September 2026.
The call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04) jointly funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), will support the development of advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes. A key feature is the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India, enabling real-world validation and industrial deployment. It seeks to bring together top-tier researchers, industries, and startups from both regions to develop sustainable, scalable recycling solutions with global impact.
Building a "Virtual Mine" for the Future
As the demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) surges, both India and the EU are prioritizing the recovery of strategic materials like lithium, graphite, and cobalt to reduce reliance on international imports. By 2030, India alone is estimated to have 128 GWh of recyclable battery capacity. This collaboration aims to transform battery waste into a "virtual mine," recovering high-purity materials that can be fed directly back into the production of new batteries.
Focus Areas & Innovation
The joint initiative will fund the development of an innovative pilot line in India, demonstrating processes that go beyond the current state-of-the-art. Key technical priorities include:
- High Recovery Rates: Advanced processes for Lithium and CAM-ready purity.
- Mixed Chemistry Handling: Developing flexible recycling methods for current and future battery types.
- Logistics & Inclusion: Digitalized collection and sorting systems that integrate the informal sector to ensure safe and zero-risk logistics.
- Safety & Second Life: Advanced diagnostics for second-life applications and active safety monitoring.
Strategic Partnership
This call builds on the successful 2024 India–EU Startup Battery Recycling Technologies Exchange and marks an important step forward under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies of the EU–India Trade and Technology Council. It is aligned with the objectives of the EU Batteries Regulation and India’s Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable and circular battery value chains.
On the occasion of the launch of these calls Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India said that "the launch of this joint call marks a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership. As India’s EV market continues its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our resource security and environmental commitments. By integrating advanced digital solutions and engaging the informal sector, this collaboration will turn battery waste into a high-value resource, fostering an innovation-led 'virtual mine' that supports our vision of a sustainable, self-reliant future."
Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India mentioned that "this joint initiative marks a critical leap in India’s circular economy, establishing a beyond state-of-the-art pilot line designed to transform battery waste into a strategic resource. Through these efforts, we are poised to securing a domestic supply of critical minerals and also catalysing momentum for pioneering a digitalized, inclusive logistics model that integrates the informal sector while ensuring the highest safety standards for second-life applications."
H.E. Mr. Hervé Delphin, EU Ambassador to India said that "batteries are at the heart of the clean energy transition — and the materials inside them are too valuable and too strategically important to be lost after a single use. This call turns the EU-India partnership into industrial action: a jointly operated pilot plant on Indian soil, developed by Indian and European researchers and companies working as one team. It is a model for how democracies with shared interests can move from political declaration to scientific delivery — and a direct investment in both continents' critical mineral security and climate goals."
Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD), European Commission highlighted that "through the Trade and Technology Council, the EU and India are translating strategic priorities into concrete joint actions. This call on EV battery recycling is a strong example of how partnership-driven innovation can deliver tangible industrial and environmental impact."
About the Trade and Technology Council set up by India and the EU
The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was first announced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April 2022. Established on February 6, 2023, this strategic coordination mechanism allows both sides to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology, and security, and deepens cooperation in these fields. Establishing India-EU TTC is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the benefit of all people in India and the EU.
The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between the two partners. Geostrategic challenges have reinforced the EU and India’s common interest in ensuring security, prosperity, and sustainable development based on shared values.
The TTC consists of three Working Groups:
- Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity
- Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and
- Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.
Working Groups are now jointly working to advance identified objectives and key actions. The India-EU TTC Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies is being led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India from the Indian side and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission from the EU side.
For more information on the TTC-WG2: https://www.psa.gov.in/india-eu-ttc
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MJPS/SS/ST
(Release ID :288556)