Only a mere 5 per cent of lithium-ion batteries are currently undergoing recycling and reuse, while a staggering 95 per cent are disposed in landfills and incineration, posing grave environmental and safety concerns in the country. As India stands as the 3rd largest generator of e-waste globally, urgent and substantial efforts are imperative to combat this mounting crisis.
The dominance of the informal sector in the Lithium ion batteries e-waste scenario has just exacerbated adverse environmental and economic implications.
Flagging the issue, Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary of the Technology Development Board (TDB) under the Union Science and Technology Ministry said, “India is 3rd in the world in terms of e-waste generation and significant efforts are required to curb the issue. TDB supporting this initiative would help to engage informal recyclers to connect with formal recyclers thereby contributing towards a circular economy.”
He was sharing his concerns at an event held to ink a pact with Remine India Private Limited, for setting up a commercial plant for recycling of Li Battery and E-Waste using indigenous technology at Eldeco, SIIDCUL Industrial Area in Sitarganj in district Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand with TDB pledging substantial financial assistance.
Amidst escalating imports of e-waste, propelled by the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, the imperative for recycling initiatives looms large. The potential for value creation through metal retrieval from spent batteries underscores the urgency for sustainable solutions.
With India’s lithium-ion battery recycling market poised to surge to USD 14.89 billion by 2030, the need for robust, environmentally friendly recycling methods is paramount. In this pursuit, the concerted efforts of stakeholders to address the burgeoning battery waste crisis and mitigate its adverse impacts on both the environment and economy cannot be overstated.
India is one of the world’s largest importers of lithium-ion batteries, importing them from China, Japan, and South Korea. In 2022, it imported 617 million units of lithium-ion batteries for USD 1.8 billion.
Through the agreement, TDB has pledged a financial assistance of Rs 7.5 crores out of the total project cost of Rs 15 crores, marking a significant stride towards sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
The funded project entails the establishment of a commercial plant for the recycling of Li-ion batteries and e-waste, leveraging indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET), Hyderabad. Recognized as a matter of national significance, the efficient recycling of Li-ion batteries serves as a vital source of secondary raw materials for cell manufacturing within the country.
The escalating imports of e-waste stemming from the disposal of spent Lithium-ion Batteries (LIBs) are driven by their growing utilization in portable electronics, electric vehicles, and global renewable energy storage systems. Efficient and environmentally friendly recycling methods are imperative to address the escalating issue of battery waste, mitigate migrant supply side risks related to critical elements, and reduce carbon footprints.
With informal recyclers often employing rudimentary and environmentally damaging methods to extract valuable materials from e-waste, the result is heightened pollution, soil and water contamination, and health hazards for workers and surrounding communities, pointed out environmentalists.