In India, LICO Materials is partnering with Ather Energy to create a circular end-of-life lithium-ion battery collection and material recovery system for electric vehicles.

LICO projects recovery rates up to 95%, allowing a kilogram of material to be reintegrated into the supply chain for every kilogram of battery recycled, cutting the need for imported materials.

Gaurav Dolwani, CEO of LICO Materials, argues that battery circularity is a central strategy for reducing India’s dependence on foreign mineral supplies as EV adoption grows.

Looking ahead to 2050, recycling could provide more than 40% of India’s lithium, nickel, and cobalt needs, create over 106,000 direct green jobs, and prevent upwards of 2.9 million tons of CO2 emissions (roughly the annual impact of removing 700,000 fossil fuel vehicles).

The initiative supports India’s Net Zero 2070 goals and aligns with the Battery Waste Management Rules of 2022, reinforcing extended producer responsibility across the EV value chain.

The EPA notes India’s current reliance on imported critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, underscoring the importance of a domestic recycling pathway for resilience and price stability.