NavPrakriti Targets 150+ Battery Partnerships to Boost India's Recycling Network

NavPrakriti Green Energies Pvt Ltd has announced plans to establish partnerships with more than 150 battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers over the next three years, positioning itself as a key player in India's battery recycling landscape.

The Kolkata-based company, which operates Eastern India's first large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility, aims to create an extensive collection and processing network to manage spent batteries across multiple industries. The initiative comes as India grapples with significant e-waste generation and prepares for exponential growth in battery demand.

India's lithium battery requirements are projected to increase from 4 gigawatt-hours in 2023 to 139 gigawatt-hours by 2035, driven by electric vehicle adoption and renewable energy storage systems supporting the country's Net Zero 2070 target.

In 2022, lithium-ion batteries constituted 700,000 tonnes of India's 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste. As the world's third-largest e-waste producer, the country recycled only approximately 40 percent of this waste last year, highlighting gaps in current processing capabilities.

The government's Battery Waste Management Rules, introduced in 2022, established Extended Producer Responsibility as the cornerstone of battery waste management. Under this framework, manufacturers must fund and ensure collection and recycling through certified facilities.

The Central Pollution Control Board's digital EPR portal tracks battery lifecycles, connects manufacturers with registered recyclers, and provides financial incentives through EPR credits. The system includes minimum floor pricing to compensate recyclers for infrastructure and operational investments.

"Our aim is to set a new benchmark for responsible battery recycling in India, fully aligned with the government's vision for a circular and self-reliant economy," said Akhilesh Bagaria, founder of NavPrakriti.

Operational Capacity and Technical Approach

NavPrakriti's current facility processes up to 1,000 tonnes of used batteries monthly, with capacity for doubling as demand increases. The company handles batteries from consumer electronics, telecommunications networks, and industrial operations.

The recycling process focuses on recovering aluminum and copper, while producing intermediary materials containing nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. NavPrakriti is developing hydrometallurgical refining capabilities and plans to expand into battery-grade chemical recovery and refurbishment for second-life applications in residential and industrial settings.

The company's strategy aligns with the National Critical Mineral Mission and views battery recycling as resource regeneration for critical materials. With stricter hazardous waste regulations scheduled for 2026, NavPrakriti has invested in tracking, compliance, and reporting systems.

Founded in 2024, the company employs over 50 engineers, chemists, and business professionals, supported by industry veterans and academic advisors. Its stated objective is to transform end-of-life batteries into raw materials for new cell production, reducing India's dependence on imported battery materials.

The partnership model aims to establish a benchmark for EPR-driven sustainability as India addresses the intersection of growing battery demand and waste management requirements.