National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) has entered into an agreement with Recy Energy Pvt. Ltd., Pune to transfer a breakthrough technology for the recycling of scrap, waste, and used lithium Ion Batteries (LIB).
Dr. S.K. Pal, head, research planning & business development division, CSIR-NML, and Dr. Masood Khajenoori, founder & CEO, Recy Energy Pvt. Ltd signed the technology transfer agreement in presence of Dr. Indranil Chattoraj, director, CSIR-NML, Arindam Das from Recy Energy Pvt. Ltd, and Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Head-Metal Extraction & Recycling Division, CSIR-NML. During the agreement ceremony Dr. Abhilash, Principal Scientist, Dr. Pratima Meshram, Principal Scientist, Dr. TC Alex, Sr. Principal Scientist, Dr. A Vidyadhar, Sr. Principal Scientist, Rohit Meshram, Scientist, and Sudhakara Rao K, Technical Officer were present.
The burgeoning automotive and transport sector has been surging ahead worldwide, witnessing sharp growth in the realm of Lithium battery-based electrical vehicles across developed and emerging nations. India generates over 50,000 tonnes of lithium battery waste every year, which is expected to increase three-fold by 2025. While the customer's lucrative demands and stringent environmental regulations ensure the development of sustainable technology for Lithium battery recycling. Nonetheless, CSIR-NML comes up with a waste-to-wealth creation technology that addresses all the global challenges that are prevailing at present.
Dr. Masood Khajenoori mentioned that their quest for a universal technology, which is capable of treating all types of lithium ion batteries has ended with this technology transfer agreement and is poised to help India in fulfilling the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Smart Cities initiative. This indigenous technology shall pave the way for the extraction of battery-grade Nickel, Lithium, Cobalt, and Manganese apart from Copper, Aluminium, and rejuvenated graphite, as well as recycling of solvents used in the process.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Indranil Chattoraj mentioned the role of CSIR via a Mission Mode Project in developing this technology. Further, he added that a 100 kg throughout LIB recycling pilot plant is in the phase of realization under this project on a hire-operate-transfer mode for new generation entrepreneurs and established recyclers in battery recycling. Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Head-MER Division, CSIR-NML mentioned the need of leveraging a universal technology in battery recycling that holds the key to process economics and sustainability.