India and EU Launched A Joint Initiative to Strengthen EV Battery Recycling

Under the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, the Government of India and the European Union announced the launch of a third coordinated call for proposals on EV battery recycling.

Established in April 2022, the India-EU TTC is a key bilateral platform to address challenges at the confluence of trade, trusted technology and security between the two regions.

In a meeting held in February 2025, the two sides reiterated their commitments to clean and green technologies, including joint research on EV battery recycling.

The call for proposals aims to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular economy, and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the European Union (EU). The submission deadline for the same is 15 September 2026.

With a combined funding pool of €15.2 million (~₹169 crore), the initiative will be funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will support the Indian component.

The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes.

It will also support the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world validation and industrial deployment, bringing together leading researchers, industries, and startups.

The call for proposals will focus on High Recovery Rates; Mixed Chemistry Handling; Logistics & Inclusion; and Safety & Second Life for critical minerals such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt.

On the launch of these calls, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, remarked that this launch is a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership.

As India’s EV market continues to expand, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our resource security and environmental commitments.

H.E. Mr Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, highlighted the importance of batteries that sit at the core of the green transition. The goal is to translate innovations from the development phase into real-world deployment, thereby directly advancing mineral security and shared climate goals.

Dr Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA, mentioned that this joint initiative marks a critical leap in India’s circular economy and catalyses momentum for pioneering a digitalised, inclusive logistics model that integrates the informal sector while ensuring the highest safety standards for second-life applications.

Mr Marc Lemaître, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD), European Commission, emphasised the strengthening bond between the EU and India in the field of green innovation and the need to co-create a resilient, cross-continental value chain to ensure that the strategic materials of tomorrow remain within our economies.