On May 6, 2026, the European Union and the Government of India announced a joint funding call of €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore) to advance electric vehicle battery recycling. Launched under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, the initiative aims to secure critical raw materials and promote a circular economy by supporting innovative recycling solutions.
Co-funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries, the call will back projects that develop high-efficiency material recovery processes, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstrations of cutting-edge recycling methods. A central element is the creation of a joint EU-India pilot line in India, designed to validate new technologies under real-world conditions and prepare them for industrial deployment.
As global demand for electric vehicles continues to grow, both regions are prioritising the recovery of lithium, graphite, cobalt and other strategic components to reduce dependence on imports. By 2030, India’s installed battery capacity is expected to yield up to 128 GWh of recyclable material. This programme seeks to turn end-of-life batteries into a “virtual mine,” recovering high-purity materials for direct reintegration into battery production.
Key technical priorities include achieving high recovery rates for lithium and cathode active materials, handling mixed battery chemistries, integrating informal collection networks into secure logistics systems, and advancing safety diagnostics for potential second-life applications. The call encourages balanced participation of EU and Indian consortia—comprising companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, research institutions and universities—with the goal of reaching Technology Readiness Levels 7–8.
This effort follows the 2024 India-EU Startup Battery Recycling Technologies Exchange and aligns with the EU Batteries Regulation and India’s Battery Waste Management Rules 2022. The deadline for submissions is September 15, 2026. By pooling expertise and resources, the partners aim to establish resilient, sustainable value chains that support a global transition to clean mobility and resource security.
