As part of the “Promote circularity campaign,” the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has successfully transferred cost-effective Li-ion battery recycling technology to nine recycling industries and start-ups through the Mission Life initiative.
The newly developed indigenous technology has the capability to effectively handle various types of discarded Li-ion batteries. It can recover over 95% of lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) contents in the form of highly pure oxides/carbonates with a purity level of approximately 98%. The recycling process involves leaching followed by selective extraction of metal values using the solvent extraction process. The resulting secondary raw materials can be utilized for battery manufacturing or other potential applications.
The technology has been developed by MeitY through the “Center of Excellence on E-waste Management” established at the Center for Material for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Hyderabad. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Government of Telangana and industry partner, M/s Greenko Energies Pvt. Ltd.
MeitY stands out as a frontrunner among the 11 chosen verticals of the circular economy identified by NITI Aayog. The ministry has successfully showcased the outcomes of its technology developments, placing the country in a competitive position alongside a select group of major economies.
The commendable efforts of the Center of Excellence (CoE) on E-waste Management, C-MET, in developing affordable technology for local recycling industries and start-ups have received praise from Shri. Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary of MeitY. He expressed appreciation for the special collaboration between the Government of Telangana and Greenko Energies, which has nurtured a unique concept in the country and facilitated translational research for commercialization. Sharma also acknowledged the C-MET scientists for their pioneering work in niche technology development, such as hafnium metal sponge from effluents, a rare achievement found in only a few countries.
