NavPrakriti Green Energies Pvt. Ltd. announced plans to forge partnerships with more than 150 battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) over the next three years. Through this initiative, the company aims to position itself as a key enabler in India’s rapidly evolving battery recycling landscape. Based in Kolkata, NavPrakriti operates Eastern India’s first large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility. By building a broad collection and processing network, the company plans to manage end-of-life batteries across multiple industries at a time when India faces rising e-waste volumes and surging battery demand.
Rising Battery Demand Drives Urgency for Recycling
India’s demand for lithium-ion batteries will grow sharply—from 4 GWh in 2023 to nearly 139 GWh by 2035—driven by accelerating electric vehicle adoption and the expansion of renewable energy storage systems, both critical to achieving the country’s Net Zero 2070 goal. At the same time, battery waste is emerging as a major environmental challenge. In 2022 alone, lithium-ion batteries accounted for around 700,000 tonnes of India’s 1.6 million metric tons of e-waste. As the world’s third-largest e-waste generator, India recycled only about 40 percent of this waste last year, underscoring significant gaps in collection and processing capacity.
Policy Push
To address these challenges, the government introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022. The rules place Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) at the centre of battery waste handling. Under this framework, manufacturers are required to finance and ensure the collection and recycling of spent batteries through certified recyclers. In parallel, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has rolled out a digital EPR portal that tracks battery lifecycles, links producers with registered recyclers, and enables financial incentives through EPR credits. Minimum floor pricing within the system helps compensate recyclers for infrastructure investments and operating costs.
Vision for Responsible and Circular Recycling
“Our aim is to set a new benchmark for responsible battery recycling in India, fully aligned with the government’s vision for a circular and self-reliant economy,” said Akhilesh Bagaria, Founder of NavPrakriti. Through its partnership-led approach, the company aims to help manufacturers meet compliance requirements. It also seeks to ensure battery waste is handled safely, transparently, and at scale.
Operational Capacity and Technology Roadmap
NavPrakriti’s current recycling facility can process up to 1,000 tonnes of used batteries per month, with built-in flexibility to double capacity as demand rises. The plant handles batteries from consumer electronics, telecom networks, and industrial operations.
At present, the recycling process focuses on recovering aluminium and copper, while generating intermediary materials rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. Looking ahead, NavPrakriti is developing hydrometallurgical refining capabilities and plans to move into battery-grade chemical recovery. In addition, the company is exploring battery refurbishment and second-life applications, targeting residential and industrial energy storage systems.
Aligning with India’s Critical Minerals Strategy
NavPrakriti’s strategy closely aligns with the National Critical Mineral Mission, which emphasises resource security and domestic value creation. By treating battery recycling as a form of resource regeneration, the company aims to reduce India’s dependence on imported battery materials. Stricter hazardous waste regulations are expected in 2026. To stay ahead of these requirements, NavPrakriti has already invested in advanced tracking, compliance, and reporting systems.
As reported by autocarpro.in, NavPrakriti is targeting more than 150 strategic partnerships. Through this effort, the company aims to set a benchmark for EPR-driven sustainability. It also seeks to help India address rapidly growing battery demand and responsible waste management.
