changeadminTo strengthen domestic capabilities in critical minerals, the Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Indian government’s Department of Science & Technology (DST), has extended financial support to MiniMines Cleantech Solutions for the sustainable recycling of lithium batteries.
The project, titled “Sustainable Recycling of the Waste Lithium-ion Batteries”, aims to commercialise an indigenous, zero-discharge, sustainable battery recycling and critical mineral refining process to extract battery-grade salts of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s capability in recovering valuable critical minerals through advanced recycling technologies, thereby reducing dependence on imports and supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
Bengaluru-based MiniMines Cleantech Solutions is the first R4 category recycler providing end-to-end solutions for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services.
Founded in 2020 by Arvind Bhardwaj and Anupam Kumar, the cleantech startup has developed a proprietary process known as Hybrid Hydrometallurgy™, which is designed to be agnostic to various lithium-ion battery chemistries and form factors.
MiniMines Cleantech’s black mass recovery and post-processing technology ensures low energy consumption, minimal emissions, and high separation efficiency, enabling recovery rates of up to 99 per cent.
The complete process—from pre-assessment, collection, and segregation to mechanical processing and advanced post-processing stages such as extraction, selective separation, and beneficiation—has been indigenously developed and patented.
This approach significantly reduces reliance on imported recycling technologies, equipment, and critical raw materials, while also promoting urban mining in the country.
Under the project, the company proposes to scale up its existing operations into a fully integrated commercial facility capable of processing multiple battery chemistries and producing high-purity critical materials for reuse.
The recovered battery-grade compounds, including lithium carbonate and cobalt sulphate, will meet industry specifications and cater to both domestic and export markets.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “Development of indigenous technologies for recovery and refining of critical minerals from end-of-life batteries is crucial for strengthening India’s energy security and clean technology ecosystem.”
Mr Pathak added, “Through this project, TDB is supporting the commercialisation of a sustainable recycling solution that can reduce import dependence, promote circular economy practices, and contribute to the objectives of the National Critical Minerals Mission.”
In September 2025, the Indian government approved a 1,500 crore incentive scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission to develop recycling capacity in the country for the separation and production of critical minerals from secondary sources.
The government is expected to incentivise large, established recyclers and small recyclers, including start-ups such as MiniMines Cleantech Solutions.
The project represents a significant step towards building a self-reliant, technology-driven ecosystem for the recovery of critical minerals and clean energy materials in India.
A representative of MiniMines Cleantech Solutions expressed gratitude to TDB for the support and noted that the assistance would enable the company to scale technologies for lithium battery recycling and accelerate the recovery of critical materials through environmentally sustainable processes.
By enabling the efficient extraction of valuable metals and recycling of lithium batteries, the initiative aligns with national priorities of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the adoption of a circular economy, and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure.
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