The European Union and the government of India jointly announced a major €15.2 million (approximately ₹169 crore) initiative to accelerate Electric Vehicle (EV) battery recycling and strengthen circular economy practices. Launched under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, the new coordinated call for proposals aims to develop advanced battery recycling technologies and secure critical raw materials for future clean energy needs. The initiative, identified as HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04, is jointly funded through Horizon Europe and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries.
Focus on Advanced EV Battery Recycling Technologies
The programme will support cutting-edge recycling solutions designed to improve material recovery efficiency and strengthen sustainable battery supply chains.
Key areas of focus include:
*High-efficiency recovery of lithium, graphite, cobalt, and other strategic materials
*Safe and digitalised battery collection and sorting systems
*Pilot-scale demonstrations of advanced recycling technologies
*Development of second-life battery applications
*Real-time safety monitoring systems
A major highlight of the collaboration is the creation of a joint EU-India pilot recycling line in India. This facility will help validate innovative recycling technologies under real-world industrial conditions and accelerate commercial deployment. The initiative also seeks to bring together researchers, startups, industries, SMEs, and academic institutions from both regions to co-develop scalable recycling solutions with global impact.
Building a “Virtual Mine” for Critical Minerals
As EV adoption continues to rise globally, demand for critical battery materials is increasing rapidly. Both the EU and India are now prioritising battery recycling to reduce dependence on imported raw materials. By 2030, India is expected to generate nearly 128 GWh of recyclable battery capacity. Through this partnership, policymakers aim to transform battery waste into a “virtual mine” capable of recovering high-purity materials that can be reused in new battery production. The approach supports long-term mineral security while reducing environmental impact and strengthening circular economy goals.
Key Innovation Areas Under the Programme
The joint initiative will fund technologies that move beyond existing recycling capabilities. Several priority areas have been identified:
High Recovery Efficiency
The programme will encourage advanced recycling methods capable of recovering lithium and cathode active materials (CAM) at high purity levels suitable for battery manufacturing.
Flexible Recycling for Mixed Battery Chemistries
Researchers will develop adaptable recycling systems that can process current and next-generation battery chemistries efficiently.
Digitalised Collection and Logistics
The initiative will promote digital battery tracking, safe transportation, and automated sorting systems. Importantly, it also aims to integrate India’s informal recycling sector into organised and safe collection networks.
Second-Life Battery Applications
Advanced diagnostics and safety monitoring systems will help identify batteries suitable for reuse in second-life energy storage applications.
Strengthening the EU-India Strategic Partnership
The new call builds upon the successful 2024 India-EU Startup Battery Recycling Technologies Exchange and further strengthens cooperation under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council. The initiative aligns with both the EU Batteries Regulation and India’s Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, reinforcing shared commitments toward sustainable and circular battery value chains. All proposals must be jointly developed by Indian and European consortia, ensuring balanced participation and coordinated implementation. The programme aims to achieve Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–8, enabling industrial-scale deployment of innovative recycling solutions. The call remains open to companies, startups, SMEs, research institutions, universities, and other organisations from India and Europe. The submission deadline is 15 September 2026.
Understanding the EU-India Trade and Technology Council
The EU-India Trade and Technology Council serves as a high-level platform to deepen collaboration between India and the European Union across trade, technology, innovation, and strategic industries. The council was jointly announced in 2022 by Ursula von der Leyen and Narendra Modi, formally launched in 2023, and held its second ministerial meeting in New Delhi in February 2025. As the EU’s second TTC after the EU-US partnership, the platform reflects growing strategic and economic cooperation between India and Europe, particularly in resilient supply chains, clean technologies, and sustainable growth.
Longstanding EU-India Research and Innovation Cooperation
The EU and India also share a long-standing research partnership anchored in the 2001 Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation, renewed in 2020. Over the years, the partnership has supported more than 200 joint projects spanning healthcare, energy, climate technologies, water management, digital innovation, and green technologies. The collaboration now continues to evolve toward mission-driven and co-funded innovation programmes designed to deliver large-scale global impact.
Leaders Highlight Strategic Importance of the Initiative
As per the press release, H.E. Hervé Delphin said the initiative represents a direct investment in mineral security and climate goals, while ensuring that valuable battery materials remain within circular economies instead of being discarded after a single use. Meanwhile, Marc Lemaître emphasised that the collaboration will help create a resilient cross-continental battery recycling value chain that strengthens both competitiveness and sustainability. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood highlighted that India’s rapidly growing EV sector requires a robust domestic recycling ecosystem to support long-term resource security and environmental sustainability. Dr. Parvinder Maini added that the initiative will help establish advanced recycling infrastructure while promoting safe, digitalised, and inclusive battery collection systems across the country.
