Date: 2026-05-06Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
India and EU Launched €15.2 Million/~₹169 Crore Joint Initiative to Strengthen EV Battery Recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)-Working Group-2
**Executive Summary**
The Government of India and the European Union have launched a €15.2 million (~₹169 crore) joint call for proposals to enhance EV battery recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). This initiative seeks to secure critical raw materials and accelerate the transition to a circular economy through advanced technological development and bilateral cooperation. Interested parties must submit their proposals by the deadline of 15 September 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Initiative Framework and Funding**
* The project is part of the India-EU TTC Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.
* A combined funding pool of €15.2 million is provided by the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and the Indian Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI).
* The initiative marks the third coordinated call for proposals between the two regions.
**Technical Focus Areas**
* **High Recovery Rates:** Prioritizing the efficient recovery of critical minerals, specifically lithium, graphite, and cobalt.
* **Mixed Chemistry Handling:** Developing processes to manage diverse battery chemistries.
* **Logistics and Inclusion:** Creating digitalized, safe collection systems and inclusive models that integrate the informal sector.
* **Safety and Second Life:** Ensuring high safety standards for battery reuse and second-life applications.
**Implementation and Infrastructure**
* The program supports the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line located in India for real-world validation and industrial deployment.
* Efforts will focus on pilot-scale demonstrations of innovative recycling processes and advanced material recovery technologies.
* The initiative aims to bridge the gap between the innovation phase and real-world market deployment.
**Impact Analysis**
**Researchers, Industries, and Startups**
**Impact**
These groups gain access to significant funding and a platform for cross-continental collaboration to develop and validate green innovations.
**Action Required**
They must form partnerships and submit technical proposals for advanced recycling technologies before the 15 September 2026 deadline.
**Government of India (Ministry of Heavy Industries) and European Commission**
**Impact**
Responsible for funding and oversight, these bodies are tasked with strengthening bilateral relations and securing mineral security for their respective economies.
**Action Required**
Coordinate the evaluation of proposals and provide necessary support for the establishment of the joint pilot line in India.
**The Informal Sector (Logistics)**
**Impact**
The sector is targeted for integration into a new, pioneering logistics model designed to be more digitalized, inclusive, and safe.
**Action Required**
Engage with the new circular economy framework and adopt standardized safety and digitalization practices for battery collection.
Key Entities Referenced
India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC): The bilateral strategic framework governing the joint initiative on green and clean energy technologies.
Horizon Europe: The European Union’s key funding programme for research and innovation that finances the EU component of the initiative.
Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI): The Indian ministry responsible for supporting and funding the Indian participation in the joint call for proposals.
Recycling of EV Batteries: The specific joint initiative and coordinated call for proposals focused on developing advanced technologies for critical mineral recovery and circular economy.
Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA): The primary Indian government office coordinating the launch and implementation of the strategic partnership.
Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to GoI
India and EU Launched €15.2 Million/~₹169
Crore Joint Initiative to Strengthen EV Battery
Recycling under the India-EU Trade and
Technology Council (TTC)-Working Group-2
Posted On: 06 MAY 2026 12:40PM by PIB Delhi
Under the framework of the India-EU Trade & Technology Council (TTC)- Working Group 2 on Green
and Clean Energy Technologies, the Government of India and the European Union announced the launch
of a third coordinated call for proposals focused on the Recycling of EV Batteries on 5 May 2026. The
submission deadline for the same is 15 September 2026.
The call for proposals aims to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular
economy, and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the European Union (EU). With a combined
funding pool of €15.2 million (~₹169 crore), the initiative will be funded through the EU’s Horizon
Europe programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) will support the Indian component.
The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency
material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative
processes. It will also support the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world
validation and industrial deployment, bringing together leading researchers, industries, and startups. The
call for proposal will focus on High Recovery Rates; Mixed Chemistry Handling; Logistics & Inclusion
and Safety & Second Life for critical minerals like lithium, graphite, and cobalt.On the launch of these calls, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of
India remarked that this launch is a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership. As India’s EV
market continues its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our
resource security and environmental commitments.
H.E. Mr. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India highlighted the importance of
batteries that sit at the core of the green transition. The goal is to translate the innovations from the
development phase to real-world deployment; thereby, directly investing in mineral security and shared
climate goals.
Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the PSA mentioned that this joint initiative marks a
critical leap in India’s circular economy and catalyses momentum for pioneering a digitalized, inclusive
logistics model that integrates the informal sector while ensuring the highest safety standards for second-
life applications.
Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD), European
Commission emphasised on the strengthening bond between the EU and India in the field of green
innovation and co-creating a resilient, cross-continental value chain that will ensure that the strategic
materials of tomorrow remain within our economies.
***
MJPS/SS/ST
(Release ID: 2258320) Visitor Counter : 1451
Read this release in: Urdu , ही , Gujarati , Telugu