**Executive Summary**
The Technology Development Board (TDB) and Department of Science & Technology (DST) have provided financial support to MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for their project on "Sustainable Recycling of the Waste Lithium-ion Batteries." This initiative aims to commercialize an indigenous zero-discharge recycling process to extract critical minerals from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, bolstering India's domestic capabilities in this sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Objective:** To commercialize an indigenous, zero-discharge, sustainable battery recycling and critical mineral refining process for extracting battery-grade salts of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
* **Company's Role:** MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a Category R4 recycler offering end-to-end solutions for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services.
* **Proprietary Technology:** The company utilizes a proprietary process named Hybrid Hydrometallurgy™, designed to be compatible with various lithium-ion battery chemistries and form factors.
* **Process Efficiency:** The black mass recovery and post-processing technology boasts low energy consumption, minimal emissions, and high separation efficiency, achieving recovery rates up to 99%.
* **Indigenous Development:** The entire process, from pre-assessment to advanced post-processing, has been indigenously developed and patented, reducing reliance on imported technologies and promoting urban mining.
* **Facility Expansion:** The project involves scaling up existing operations to a fully integrated commercial facility capable of processing multiple battery chemistries and producing high-purity critical materials for reuse.
* **Product Output:** Recovered battery-grade compounds, such as lithium carbonate and cobalt sulphate, will meet industry specifications for domestic and export markets.
* **National Alignment:** The initiative supports India's vision for sustainable technologies, strengthens domestic capabilities in critical minerals, reduces import dependence, promotes circular economy practices, and aligns with the National Critical Minerals Mission and Aatmanirbhar Bharat priorities.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.**
* **Impact:** Receives financial support to commercialize its innovative recycling technology, enabling expansion and acceleration of critical battery material recovery.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the support to scale up operations and commercialize the proprietary Hybrid Hydrometallurgy™ process for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (TDB, DST)**
* **Impact:** Strengthens domestic capabilities in critical minerals, promotes sustainable technologies, reduces import dependence, and fosters a clean energy ecosystem.
* **Action Required:** Continue to support and monitor the progress of projects aimed at developing indigenous recycling technologies and critical mineral recovery.
**Stakeholder: Consumers of Lithium-ion Batteries (Implied)**
* **Impact:** Benefits from more sustainable disposal and recycling options for their used batteries, contributing to a circular economy.
* **Action Required:** (Implied) Participate in responsible end-of-life battery management systems as they become available through EPR initiatives.
**Stakeholder: Domestic and Export Markets**
* **Impact:** Gains access to high-purity critical materials (lithium carbonate, cobalt sulphate) produced through a sustainable and indigenous process.
* **Action Required:** (Implied) Consider sourcing these recovered critical materials to meet industry specifications and support sustainable supply chains.
Key Entities Referenced
MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.: Company undertaking the project for sustainable recycling of lithium-ion batteries.
Technology Development Board (TDB): Government body extending financial support for the project.
Department of Science & Technology (DST): Government department overseeing the Technology Development Board.
National Critical Minerals Mission: National mission whose objectives are supported by the project.
Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak: Secretary of the Technology Development Board (TDB).
Ministry of Science & Technology
“TDB-DST Supports MiniMines Cleantech
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for Sustainable Recycling of
Lithium-ion Batteries”
Posted On: 06 MAR 2026 4:51PM by PIB Delhi
In line with the Government of India’s vision to promote sustainable technologies and strengthen domestic
capabilities in critical minerals, the Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science &
Technology (DST), has extended financial support to M/s MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the
project titled “Sustainable Recycling of the Waste Lithium-ion Batteries.”
The project aims at the commercialisation of an indigenous, zero-discharge, sustainable battery recycling
and critical mineral refining process to extract battery-grade salts of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and
manganese from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. The initiative is expected to strengthen India’s capability
in recovering valuable critical minerals through advanced recycling technologies, thereby reducing
dependence on imports and supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is the first R4 category recycler providing end-to-end solutions
for end-of-life lithium-ion batteries, including Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) services. The
company has developed a proprietary process known as Hybrid Hydrometallurgy™, which is designed to
be agnostic to various lithium-ion battery chemistries and form factors. The company’s black mass
recovery and post-processing technology ensures low energy consumption, minimal emissions, and high
separation efficiency, enabling recovery rates of up to 99 percent.
The complete process—from pre-assessment, collection, and segregation to mechanical processing and
advanced post-processing stages such as extraction, selective separation, and beneficiation—has been
indigenously developed and patented. This approach significantly reduces reliance on imported recycling
technologies, equipment, and critical raw materials, while also promoting the concept of urban mining
within the country.
Under the project, the company proposes to scale up its existing operations into a fully integrated
commercial facility capable of processing multiple battery chemistries and producing high-purity critical
materials for reuse. The recovered battery-grade compounds, including lithium carbonate and cobalt
sulphate, will meet industry specifications and cater to both domestic and export markets.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, stated, “Development of
indigenous technologies for recovery and refining of critical minerals from end-of-life batteries is crucial
for strengthening India’s energy security and clean technology ecosystem. Through this project, TDB is
supporting the commercialization of a sustainable recycling solution that can reduce import dependence,
promote circular economy practices, and contribute to the objectives of the National Critical Minerals
Mission.”A representative of MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. expressed gratitude to TDB for the support
and noted that the assistance would enable the company to scale its innovative recycling technology and
accelerate the recovery of critical battery materials through environmentally sustainable processes.
The project represents a significant step towards building a self-reliant and technology-driven ecosystem
for critical mineral recovery and clean energy materials in India. By enabling efficient extraction of
valuable metals from end-of-life batteries, the initiative aligns with national priorities of Aatmanirbhar
Bharat, circular economy adoption, and the development of sustainable energy infrastructure.
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NKR/FK
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