India and the European Union have launched a one hundred sixty-nine crore rupees joint initiative to strengthen EV battery recycling capacity under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council-Working Group two.

Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor. Ajay Kumar Sood said that this launch is a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership. He said that as the country’s EV market continues its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for resource security and environmental commitments.

Ambassador of the European Union to India Hervé Delphin highlighted the importance of batteries that sit at the core of the green transition. He said that the goal is to translate the innovations from the development phase to real-world deployment.

Both India and the EU announced the launch of the third coordinated call for proposals focused on the Recycling of EV Batteries.

The call for proposals aims to secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular economy, and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the European Union (EU).

The initiative will be funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, while the Ministry of Heavy Industries will support the Indian component.

The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes.

It will also support the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world validation and industrial deployment, bringing together leading researchers, industries, and startups.