Lohum, a critical mineral refining and processing company, has announced plans to invest ₹500 crore to establish its first rare earth refining hub in India. The project marks a major step in the company’s strategy to strengthen India’s critical minerals supply chain and recycling ecosystem. It aligns with the nation’s Critical Minerals Mission. According to Rajat Verma, Founder and CEO of Lohum, the investment will be implemented over the next 18 months. “Our first target facility will be up and running in a few months’ time, and we’ll scale the facility hopefully in a year and a half,” Verma stated.
Building India’s Critical Minerals Capability
The upcoming refining facility will focus on refining rare earth elements—materials crucial for electric mobility, advanced batteries, and green technologies. These elements form the backbone of emerging clean energy systems, including EV motors, wind turbines, and high-performance electronics. By localising rare earth refining hub, Lohum aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports and create a self-reliant critical minerals ecosystem. The project supports the government’s vision of developing domestic processing capacity. It also aims to strengthen value-added mineral supply chains under the Critical Minerals Mission.
Advancing Circular Economy and Recycling Innovation
Lohum currently recovers seven key metals from end-of-life batteries and industrial waste. These include lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium, platinum group metals, and graphite. The company operates 20,000 tonnes per annum of recycling capacity. It has plans to expand four to five times by 2029, driven by surging demand from the battery and electric vehicle (EV) sectors. “In any category, about 20 per cent of our requirements can be met via recycling,” Verma explained, noting that both Lohum and the wider industry are scaling rapidly to meet growing material needs.
Collaboration for Sustainable Materials Recovery
As part of its broader mission, Lohum is collaborating with the Ministry of Mines and IIT Bombay. This collaboration focuses on establishing two Centres of Excellence (CoEs) focused on sustainable materials recovery and circular technologies. These centres will advance research and innovation in battery recycling, resource efficiency, and next-generation refining technologies. Through these initiatives, Lohum aims to position India at the forefront of sustainable mineral processing. It is a crucial enabler of the country’s energy transition and net-zero goals.
Powering India’s Green Future
Etenergyworld.com reports that Lohum will play a defining role in India’s rare earth and battery recycling ecosystem. The company’s ₹500 crore investment will drive this transformation. Lohum is integrating refining, recycling, and research to build a foundation for a resilient, circular, and low-carbon economy. This approach paves the way for India’s leadership in global green technologies.
