NavPrakriti Launches Eastern India's First Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Plant

NavPrakriti has commenced operations at Eastern India's first lithium-ion battery recycling facility near Kolkata, positioning the region to handle anticipated battery waste from electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and industrial applications.

The facility arrives as industry projections indicate India will need to recycle over 1.2 million electric vehicle batteries annually by 2030, with that figure expected to reach 14 million by 2040. Lithium-ion battery demand in India is forecast to reach 54 gigawatt hours by fiscal year 2027.

Akhilesh Bagaria, founder of NavPrakriti, stated that the facility represents indigenous solutions to address battery waste management. The plant operates using technology developed by the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, aligning with domestic manufacturing initiatives.

The facility currently processes 1,000 tonnes of batteries monthly through mechanical pre-treatment, with capacity expandable to 2,000 tonnes. NavPrakriti recovers aluminum and copper while producing intermediary products containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. The company plans future expansion into battery-grade chemical recovery and battery refurbishment for secondary applications.

The launch follows the government's announcement of a ₹1,500 crore scheme for battery recycling and refining under the National Critical Mineral Mission. The initiative aims to increase domestic recycling capacity and reduce reliance on imported critical minerals.

NavPrakriti is engaging with battery manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers, and bulk battery users for collection and recycling partnerships under the Extended Producer Responsibility framework. The facility serves West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh.

The global battery recycling market is projected to exceed $30 billion by 2030. Batteries from consumer electronics, telecom towers, and backup systems are currently reaching end-of-life in India, with first-generation EV batteries expected to enter the waste stream within 12 to 24 months.

NavPrakriti Green Energies Pvt Ltd, established in 2024 and headquartered in Kolkata, employs over 50 engineers, chemists, and business professionals. The company operates in accordance with the National Critical Mineral Mission and Battery Waste Management Rules 2022.