“Efficient recycling will reduce dependence on imported materials like lithium and cobalt, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of self-reliance. Public-private partnerships are expected to play a vital role in building a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries.” Rajesh Gupta, Founder, Nupur Recyclers Limited
India is at the forefront of the global energy transition. Thus, the country needs to balance rapid economic growth with sustainability. To ensure long-term development, adopting a circular economy model for metals and battery recycling has become essential. The government’s initiatives, such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) and policies to promote electric vehicle (EV) adoption, underline the importance of 2025 as a transformative year for these sectors. Here are some trends that will shape the metal and battery recycling space in 2025.
Battery Recycling to Propel EV Adoption in India
India’s EV market is poised for explosive growth, with over 30% penetration anticipated by 2030. However, this success hinges on addressing the challenge of battery waste. Establishing domestic recycling facilities is crucial for creating a robust EV ecosystem. Efficient recycling will reduce dependence on imported materials like lithium and cobalt, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of self-reliance. Public-private partnerships are expected to play a vital role in building a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries.
India’s policies, such as the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, mandate producers to collect, recycle, and reuse critical materials from used batteries, while schemes like FAME II indirectly promote recycling by driving EV adoption. In the future, these frameworks may evolve further, offering greater incentives for recycling initiatives. On the financial front, recycling can lower EV production costs, making vehicles more accessible to middle-class consumers. From the environmental point of view, it prevents hazardous waste disposal and reduces the carbon footprint of mining virgin materials, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Metal Recycling: Unlocking India’s Urban Mining Potential
India generates an estimated 3.2 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually. There is a vast opportunity to recover valuable metals like aluminium, steel, and copper from this waste. Urban metal recycling is emerging as a significant solution to address this resource demand. Cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, which generate a large proportion of e-waste are gradually becoming hubs for projects that extract metals from discarded electronics and industrial waste. Large miners such as Tata Steel and Hindalco are integrating recycled metals into production processes, contributing to urban development and sustainability.
The EV manufacturing sector is also benefiting from metal recycling. Indian manufacturers like Ola Electric and Mahindra Electric are increasingly incorporating recycled materials in their designs to enhance energy efficiency and reduce production costs. Such practices will help Indian EVs compete effectively in global markets by offering lightweight and cost-efficient designs. Beyond economic benefits, recycling reduces pressure on waste landfills and emissions from mining and processing raw materials. This, in turn, supports India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Trends and Opportunities in 2025
India is expected to adopt advanced recycling technologies such as AI-based sorting and hydrometallurgical processes. These technologies can be customized to address challenges such as informal waste collection and segregation systems. Strengthened public-private partnerships will be key to expanding recycling infrastructure, particularly for EV batteries, to meet the growing demand. Moreover, we will also see many cutting- edge consumer awareness campaigns which highlight the importance of e-waste segregation and recycling that can foster active participation in the circular economy, building a culture of sustainability.
India’s adoption of a circular economy for metal and battery recycling is a critical step toward sustainable growth. By leveraging innovative technologies, strengthening policy frameworks, and encouraging collaborative efforts, the country can achieve essential economic and environmental milestones. As we turn over to the New Year, these efforts will not only boost EV adoption but also position India as a global leader in green innovation, paving the way for a cleaner and more prosperous future.
The author is Rajesh Gupta, Founder of Nupur Recyclers Limited
