India and the European Union have launched a joint initiative worth €15.2 million (around ₹169 crore) to develop advanced recycling technologies for electric vehicle batteries, aimed at strengthening critical mineral supply chains and advancing the circular economy.
The programme was unveiled under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, with a coordinated call for proposals announced on May 5 and submissions open until September 15, 2026.
According to the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, the initiative seeks to “secure critical raw materials, accelerate the global transition to a circular economy, and strengthen bilateral relations between India and the European Union”.
The funding will be shared between the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries, supporting collaborative research and innovation.
The programme will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstrations of innovative processes.
It also envisages the establishment of a joint India-EU pilot line in India to enable real-world validation and industrial deployment, bringing together researchers, industry stakeholders and startups from both sides.
Key areas of focus include high recovery rates, handling of mixed battery chemistries, logistics, safety, inclusion and second-life applications for critical minerals such as lithium, graphite and cobalt.
Principal Scientific Adviser Ajay Kumar Sood described the initiative as “a pivotal moment in the India-EU strategic partnership”.
“As India’s EV market continues its rapid expansion, creating a robust domestic recycling ecosystem is essential for our resource security and environmental commitments,” he said.
European Union Ambassador to India Hervé Delphin noted that batteries are “at the core of the green transition” and stressed the importance of translating innovation into real-world deployment.
Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the PSA’s office, said the initiative “marks a critical leap in India’s circular economy”, adding that it would help build a digitalised and inclusive logistics model integrating the informal sector.
Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, said the programme reflects the strengthening partnership between India and the EU in green innovation, aimed at creating a resilient cross-continental value chain for strategic materials.
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