In the drive towards a cleaner, smarter world, “going green” has become the mantra of the decade. A wave of startups has emerged, committed to providing sustainable energy solutions.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) stand out as game-changers in mobility, offering an eco-friendly alternative to pricey petrol. Despite their positive impact, EVs, powered by lithium-ion batteries, carry an open secret—the traditional sourcing of metals, emitting notable CO2.
As more people transit to electric vehicles, managing battery waste emerges as a pressing issue. When EV batteries reach the end of their lifespan, improper disposal poses environmental risks.
A recent report signals a potential challenge: around 100-120 GWWh of EV batteries may retire by 2030, equivalent to current annual production. This prediction has stirred concern among industry giants invested in or planning to enter the EV market.
Recognizing these challenges, top EV battery recycling companies have stepped up operations, addressing the crucial demand for sustainable solutions in the face of growing battery waste.
So, in this article, we will delve into some of India’s Top 10 Lithium recycling companies. But, firstly let’s see in short why it is important to recycle lithium-ion batteries.
WHY RECYCLE LITHIUM ION BATTERIES?
Recycling lithium-ion batteries is vital for environmental and economic reasons. These batteries, prevalent in Electric Vehicles and electronics, contain valuable materials like lithium and cobalt.
By recycling, we reduce the need for resource-intensive mining and minimize environmental impact.
Additionally, proper disposal prevents the release of toxic substances. Recycling lithium-ion batteries safeguards the environment and promotes resource conservation and a sustainable approach to energy storage.
Top Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Companies
Now, it is time to have a look at some of the Top lithium recycling companies in India
ATTERO RECYCLING
Lithium-ion batteries, used in gadgets and electric vehicles, face recycling challenges with growing popularity. Efficient recycling is crucial to meet material demand and address environmental concerns.
Sustainable solutions are needed to move beyond the environmentally unsustainable reliance on mining.
To power a greener and sustainable future, Attero offers top-class Li-ion Battery recycling solutions in India. This Noida-based startup- company was founded by Nitin and Rohan Gupta and was conceptualized in 2007. Attero Recycling says it’s India’s biggest electronic asset management company and is ranked as the top EV Battery Recycling Company in India.
They’re known as the world’s most advanced Li-Ion battery recycling company. The company has tie-ups with almost 90% of automobile OEMs in India including
- MG Motors, Hyundai
- Tata Motors
- LG
- Whirlpool
- Godrej etc.
Currently, the company can recycle 3,500 tonnes, and this capacity is increasing to 6,000 tonnes per year. Additionally, a new plant in Telangana is underway, set to further boost the capacity to 12,000 to 13,000 tonnes.
PROCESS OF RECYCLING THE BATTERIES
RECYCLING THE BATTERIES
Attero Recycling is India’s largest electronic asset management and a leading EV Battery Recycling Company, recognized globally for advanced Li-Ion battery recycling. Their sustainable 360-degree process ensures 100% recovery of valuable battery metals like lithium, cobalt, manganese, and nickel, promoting a carbon-positive circular economy through urban mining technologies.
Committed to environmental impact and various ESG parameters, Attero efficiently extracts elements from Li-Ion batteries (>98%), yielding battery-grade purity metals. Their adaptable processing for different battery shapes and sizes makes them a reliable choice for Consumer Electronics, Telecom Towers, and Electric Vehicles, positively impacting the environment and aligning with sustainability goals.
Attero is committed to a global capacity of 250K tons of Lithium-Ion battery recycling by 2025, which will grow to 1M tons by 2030. The company will set up at least 5 plants in the next 3 years in India.
RECYCLING THE BATTERIES
TATA CHEMICALS
This emphasizes the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and building a circular economy in its energy sciences business.
The Li-ion battery recycling process, based near Mumbai, has shown impressive results, recovering valuable metals like Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Manganese at purity levels surpassing 99 percent.
This approach reduces environmental pollution and conserves energy and natural resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
Initially launched at a pilot scale, the recycling operations have successfully processed spent Li-ion batteries, with plans to scale up to handle 500 tons in the future.
RECYCLEKARO
RecycleKaro has established India’s largest and most sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Palghar, near Mumbai, covering 17 acres.
With a focus on environmental responsibility, the company efficiently extracts metals from scrap lithium-ion batteries with over 90% efficiency and a purity exceeding 99%. Currently, the facility can process 2,500 metric tonnes of lithium-ion batteries and 7,500 metric tonnes of electronic waste, with plans to expand to 50,000 metric tonnes by 2025.
In addition to being the only company in India recovering over 90% of critical elements from energy storage systems, RecycleKaro operates as a Zero Waste Discharge plant.
Investing in 13 years of extensive research and development, RecycleKaro has developed technology to annually recycle 675 MWh and reuse 608 MWh of battery capacity.
Committed to sustainability, the company aims to prevent 350 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by 2026. Serving industry leaders like Bajaj Auto, Ather Energy, HeroMotoCorp, Tata Motors, among others, RecycleKaro remains a significant player in the sector.
PROCESS OF RECYCLING THE BATTERIES
Recycle Karo’s comprehensive e-waste recycling initiative encompasses a diverse range of electronic and electrical devices, spanning from computers and mobile phones to televisions and various appliances. Led by a dedicated R&D team, the company focuses on extracting cobalt, nickel, and manganese from lithium-ion batteries.
Using world-class technology, Recycle Karo ensures over 99% purity in recycling diverse lithium-ion battery components, prioritizing eco-friendly practices. Specialized machinery and automation boost efficiency, minimizing the company’s carbon footprint.
Here is the comprehensive process carried out by the team of Recyclekaro:
- Collection and Sorting: Lithium-ion batteries are collected from consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems. Meticulous sorting follows, considering size, chemistry, and other characteristics.
- Discharge and Disassembly: Batteries undergo a discharge process to reduce thermal risks. Subsequently, they are disassembled to separate cells, electronic components, and casing.
- Cell Removal and Shredding: Delicate removal of battery cells precedes mechanical shredding, which separates copper, aluminum, and plastic, leaving a black mass containing critical metals.
- Hydrometallurgy and Metal Recovery: The black mass undergoes hydrometallurgy, utilizing leaching and solvent extraction for the recovery of metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
- Refining and Quality Standards: The refined metals meet industry standards, ensuring their suitability for diverse manufacturing uses.
- Zero-discharge Facility and End Product: The zero-discharge facility guarantees no solid or liquid waste release, resulting in a sellable end product ideal for various manufacturing processes.
In a recent update, RecycleKaro has invested a significant 100 crores in setting up a Nickel Metal plant facility in India. This strategic move aims to strengthen India’s position in the global lithium-ion value chain. Additionally, RecycleKaro has announced a new partnership with Bajaj Auto for the recycling of electric vehicle batteries.
In partnership with Bajaj Auto, RecycleKaro will use its cutting-edge Hydrometallurgy technology to recycle batteries, recovering 95% of high-purity raw materials like cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese. The collaboration targets an annual recycling of 500 metric tonnes of end-of-life batteries.
ZIPTRAX CLEANTECH
Ziptrax, founded in December 2016 in Delhi by Rohan Singh Bais and Sonia Singh, with Ankur Tyagi joining in 2018, is a startup dedicated to leveraging AI-based technology to extend the life of Li-ion batteries. The company has developed an AI tool to effectively segregate usable Li-ion cells from damaged ones, employing a hydrometallurgical process to extract valuable chemicals such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese from batteries.
With an R&D unit in Delhi and a processing unit in Ghaziabad, Ziptrax has focused on research and development, creating prototypes of batteries and supplying cathode and anode materials for Li-ion batteries.
In the burgeoning field of electric vehicles, Ziptrax actively contributes to the sector’s growth. The startup is gearing up to build a pilot facility aimed at recycling 1,200 tonnes of Li-ion battery materials annually, with a production capacity of close to nine million cells each year. Their artificial intelligence engine and IoT-enabled hardware make Lithium-ion batteries last for up to 40% longer.
Ziptrax excels in:
- Cell Auditing, with the use of machine learning algorithms for precise segregation and regrouping of cells post-quality checks.
- Repurposing, where AI determines diverse applications for cells.
- Refabrication, Ziptrax constructs superior battery designs tailored to custom specifications.
- Sales & Battery Swapping, which are shipped to OEMs and swappable battery operators.
This comprehensive approach defines Ziptrax’s commitment to innovative and environmentally responsible battery recycling and repurposing services.
LOHUM CLEANTECH
Co-Founder and CEO, Lohum Cleantech
Established in 2018, Lohum Cleantech Private Limited stands as a prominent manufacturer in the industry. They specialize in a diverse range of products, including Lithium-ion Batteries, Power Banks, Lithium-Ion Cells, and Lithium-Ion Battery Chargers. With its operational base located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, the company has successfully developed a robust and functional infrastructural unit. This infrastructure plays a pivotal role in contributing to the overall growth and success of the organization. Notably, Lohum Cleantech is recognized as one of the key players in the industry, particularly acclaimed for its expertise in recycling Lithium-ion batteries. Their products include:
- Energy Storage Applications
- Batteries For Low-Power E-Mobility
- Battery Materials for Lithium-ion battery recycling technology.
This Delhi-based start-up is actively engaged in mineral extraction to produce indigenous lithium-ion cells. Additionally, the company manufactures lithium-ion battery packs for electric scooters, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability by repurposing existing battery packs with 70%-80% lifespan.
Lohum Cleantech has already established key partnerships, including collaborations with Glencore to supply specialty chemicals for EV batteries, Mercedes-Benz Energy in Asia for sourcing second-life battery modules, and a research and development alliance with IIT-Kanpur focused on sustainability and many more.
The company claims to have its customers and partners in the US, EU, Middle East, East Asia, and South-East Asia. To date, Lohum Cleantech has invested over Rs 200 crore in operations, showcasing its commitment to growth and sustainability. The company currently possesses an impressive 1 GW recycling capacity and can repurpose 300 MW of electric vehicle batteries, further solidifying its position in the clean energy sector. Lohum aims to recycle 4 million metric tons of batteries by 2026.
BATX ENERGIES
BatX Energies Pvt. Ltd. stands as one of India’s foremost battery recycling companies. The company was co-founded by Utkarsh Singh and Vikrant Singh in the year 2020. It is pioneering lithium-ion battery recycling through its patented Net Zero Waste, Zero Emissions technology. The company extracts rare earth elements, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, from used batteries, repurposing them in the manufacturing of new batteries. BatX is committed to building a sustainable future through innovative recycling practices.
INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS BY BATX
Distinguished by its innovative technologies and processes, BatX Energies has solidified its position as the leading lithium-ion battery recycling company in India. The company employs a distinctive procedure for recycling various batteries, involving the following steps:
- Shredding the batteries
- Separating the various components
- Using specialized techniques to extract valuable metals and materials.
BatX Energies leads battery recycling in India with a strong environmental commitment. Their eco-friendly procedures, including the hydrometallurgical method, aim to minimize waste and environmental impact. Procuring used Li-ion cells responsibly from various sources, BatX ensures ethical recycling practices without harm to the environment or people’s rights. Circularity, in simple terms, refers to “use, recycle, reuse.” In a Circular Economy, once the user finishes the product, it returns to the supply chain instead of the landfill. This is exactly what BatX intends to do.
Utilizing their proprietary Net Zero Waste and Zero Emissions process, BatX Energies extracts the following high-grade products from Lithium-ion batteries :
- Black mass
- Lithium
- Cobalt
- Nickel
- Manganese
- Secondary Products
ACE GREEN RECYCLING INC.
ACE Green Recycling, headquartered in the United States, is a green recycling technology company with a worldwide presence spanning North America, Europe, and Asia. Distinguishing itself as the sole battery recycling tech platform offering sustainable solutions for both Lead-acid (LAB) and Lithium-ion (LIB) batteries.
top-lithium-recycling-companies-in-india
ACE Green Recycling is at the forefront of environmentally conscious practices. In addition to its focus on batteries, the company is actively involved in developing clean technology solutions for other metallic waste streams. The core mission of ACE Green Recycling is to support the global electrification efforts of the battery industry by introducing sustainable recycling technology. The company collaborates with stakeholders across the battery ecosystem to establish localized circular solutions, ensuring that essential battery materials stay within the countries generating battery wastes.
ACE Green is in the process of establishing lithium battery recycling plants in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. In these locations, the company is adopting a zero-waste hydrometallurgical recycling process to extract valuable materials from depleted batteries. The planned lithium battery recycling plants by ACE Green are anticipated to be finalized by 2024. Upon becoming operational, ACE Green estimates that these recycling parks will collectively generate 1.6 million tons of recycled metals, encompassing lead, lithium, nickel, and cobalt.
ACE VALUE CHAIN
ACE’s supply chain integration, combined with its recycling technology, establishes a sustainable battery materials value chain. The value chain is as follows:
- Sourcing
- Collection/ Preprocessing
- Recycling
- Output
The company uses diverse metal waste feed to produce a variety of reusable battery materials. ACE uses materials like lithium-ion batteries, lead-acid batteries, copper scrap, aluminum scrap, etc. The company last year revealed its plans to build and operate four new lithium-ion battery recycling facilities with a planned total annual capacity of over 30,000 tons.
The company signed an MoU with STC, a leading European engineering, procurement, and construction management company specializing in building plants and equipment for battery recycling and lead production a few months back. ACE has also planned to develop a battery recycling project in Houston.
CONCLUSION
In the global push for a cleaner future, the rise of startups committed to sustainable energy solutions, particularly in Electric Vehicles (EVs), has been pivotal. However, the growing adoption of EVs brings the challenge of managing battery waste responsibly.
The emergence of top lithium recycling companies in India, such as Attero Recycling, Ziptrax Cleantech, Lohum Cleantech, ACE Green Recycling, and BatX Energies, reflects a proactive approach to address this concern.
These companies, through innovative technologies, are contributing to minimizing environmental impact and advancing the transition to a circular economy, emphasizing responsible resource use in lithium-ion battery recycling.
