India and the European Union have launched a joint €15.2 million (₹169 crore) research and innovation programme to advance electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling. Announced on May 5 under the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, the initiative invites collaborative proposals focused on recycling EV batteries, with submissions due by September 15, 2026.
The programme is supported by the European Commission through Horizon Europe and by India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries. Its goal is to strengthen supply security for critical raw materials and accelerate the transition to a circular economy by developing advanced recycling technologies. Key areas include high‑efficiency recovery of valuable materials, safe and digitalized battery collection systems, and pilot‑scale demonstrations of innovative recycling processes.
A joint India–EU pilot line will be established in India to validate and deploy new recycling technologies in real‑world conditions. Researchers, industries, and startups from both regions are expected to collaborate closely, focusing on high recovery rates, handling mixed battery chemistries, improving logistics, and ensuring safe second‑life applications for minerals such as lithium, graphite, and cobalt.
Indian and European leaders emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative. Ajay Kumar Sood highlighted the need for a robust domestic recycling ecosystem to support India’s rapidly expanding EV market. Hervé Delphin noted that batteries are central to the global green transition, while Parvinder Maini stressed the potential for inclusive, digitalized logistics models integrating the informal sector. Marc Lemaître underscored the partnership’s role in building a resilient cross‑continental value chain for critical materials.
This call for proposals is the third coordinated initiative under the TTC framework, reflecting deepening India–EU collaboration in sustainable technologies, clean mobility, and resource security. It represents a pivotal step in advancing circular economy practices and strengthening international cooperation on green innovation.
