Recyclekaro recently hosted a virtual panel discussion on “Securing India’s Battery Supply Chain: A Strategic Imperative.” The session was led by Prassann Daphal, CEO of Recyclekaro, who emphasized the urgent need to secure critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel to support India’s rapidly growing demand for batteries. With the country’s increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and rising electronics consumption, the demand for these minerals is accelerating. However, mining operations will take years to achieve commercial viability, making recycling a vital and immediate solution to recover these materials domestically.
Daphal highlighted the importance of policy support, citing initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission and subsidies for recycling infrastructure, which are expected to fast-track domestic recovery. He also emphasized the need for industry-academia collaborations, such as those facilitated by the Ministry of Mines’ Centre of Excellence, to develop advanced recycling technologies that can enhance efficiency and recovery rates. According to Daphal, recycling alone has the potential to reduce India’s raw material import dependency by up to 30 percent.
While alternative battery chemistries like sodium-ion and hydrogen fuel cells are gaining traction, lithium-ion batteries will continue to dominate applications across EVs, consumer electronics, and energy storage in the near future. To support this demand, Daphal stressed the need to scale up advanced recycling infrastructure, particularly R4-category recyclers capable of refining black mass into usable raw materials. Currently, Recyclekaro operates one of India’s largest integrated recycling facilities, with the capacity to process 24,000 tonnes of e-waste and 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually, recovering critical materials with over 95 percent efficiency.
Looking ahead, Recyclekaro plans to expand its capacity further and manufacture cathode-grade materials, enabling direct supply to domestic cell manufacturers and reducing India’s reliance on imported inputs. By prioritizing recycling and developing a resilient circular economy, India can strengthen its domestic supply chains, reduce its dependence on imports, and support its growing demand for batteries. With the right policy support and infrastructure in place, recycling can play a vital role in securing India’s battery supply chain and driving the country’s transition to a more sustainable and self-sufficient future.