THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, MAY 6, 2026

In a significant boost to green technology collaboration, India and the European Union have launched a €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore) joint initiative aimed at strengthening electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. The move comes under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) – Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.

Announced on May 5, 2026, the initiative marks the third coordinated call for proposals focused on EV battery recycling, with submissions open until September 15, 2026. The programme is designed to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular economy, and deepen strategic ties between India and the EU.

The funding will be drawn from the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will support domestic participation. The initiative aims to drive innovation across the EV battery value chain, particularly in high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstrations of advanced recycling processes.

A key highlight of the programme is the planned establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India. This facility will enable real-world validation and industrial deployment of cutting-edge recycling technologies, fostering collaboration among researchers, industries, and startups.

The call for proposals prioritises areas such as high recovery rates, handling of mixed battery chemistries, logistics and inclusion, and safety and second-life applications for critical minerals like lithium, graphite, and cobalt.

Commenting on the initiative, 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 its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our resource security and environmental commitments.

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 the innovations from the development phase to real-world deployment; thereby, directly investing in mineral security and shared climate goals.

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 digitalized, inclusive logistics model that integrates the informal sector while ensuring the highest safety standards for second-life applications.

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