NavPrakriti Commissions Eastern India’s First Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Plant

NavPrakriti Green Energies has commenced operations of Eastern India’s first advanced lithium-ion battery recycling facility near Kolkata.

The move marks a crucial milestone in building India’s battery recycling and resource circularity ecosystem, as the country prepares for a major surge in end-of-life batteries driven by the rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy storage systems, telecom networks, and consumer electronics.

According to industry estimates, India will need to recycle over 1.2 million EV batteries annually by 2030, a figure projected to rise beyond 14 million by 2040. The demand for lithium-ion batteries in India is expected to reach around 54 gigawatt hours (GWh) by FY27. Experts caution that the country could soon face a large-scale battery waste challenge similar to plastic and e-waste if sustainable recycling infrastructure is not developed in time.

While several battery recycling units have been set up around the Delhi-NCR region, much of Eastern India, comprising West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, has lacked proper recycling facilities. NavPrakriti’s new plant aims to address this gap and serve as a regional hub for responsible battery disposal and recovery of critical minerals. The facility’s location near Kolkata positions it strategically to cater to these underserved states, which are now witnessing growing EV and telecom infrastructure expansion.

Akhilesh Bagaria, Founder of NavPrakriti, said that Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on sustainable technology and circular economy has encouraged Indian innovators to develop local solutions. “Our facility is a testament to the potential of indigenous technology and entrepreneurship. We are proud to be the first in Eastern India to address the urgent challenge of battery waste. With the right support, we can transform today’s waste into tomorrow’s resource, powering India’s green future,” he said.

The global battery recycling market is expected to exceed USD 30 billion by 2030, providing India a significant opportunity to strengthen its domestic recycling industry. The Government of India has already announced a INR 1,500 crore scheme for battery recycling and refining under the National Critical Mineral Mission. The scheme aims to reduce dependency on imported materials, promote domestic recycling capacity, and ensure environmentally responsible processing of used batteries.

NavPrakriti’s plant is aligned with this government initiative and operates on indigenous technology developed by the Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET). By using homegrown technology instead of imported solutions, the company reinforces the principles of the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions. The plant currently has a mechanical pre-treatment capacity of 1,000 tonnes per month, which can be scaled up to 2,000 tonnes as demand grows. It is already processing end-of-life batteries from various sources, including telecom towers, industrial systems, and consumer products.

The company is in discussions with major battery manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and bulk users to establish partnerships under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. This will ensure a steady inflow of used batteries and regulatory compliance for producers and recyclers.

NavPrakriti’s facility focuses on recovering aluminium and copper while producing intermediate materials rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium, key metals used in battery production. The company also plans to expand into hydrometallurgical refining and the recovery of battery-grade chemicals in the next phase. It is further exploring opportunities in battery refurbishment to support second-life applications, such as residential and small-scale industrial energy storage systems.

Avnish Bagaria, Co-Founder and Director of NavPrakriti, said the company’s mission extends beyond recycling. “We are building a foundation for a circular, sustainable economy that empowers communities and industries alike. By leveraging advanced indigenous technologies and strategic partnerships, we aim to set a benchmark for responsible resource management across India,” he added.

The commissioning of NavPrakriti’s recycling plant represents a major development for Eastern India’s green economy. As the nation’s clean energy transition accelerates, such initiatives, backed by Prime Minister Modi’s policy framework and government support, will play a vital role in building a self-reliant and environmentally responsible future for India.