India Boosts Battery Recycling Capabilities with TDB-Backed BatX Energies Project

The Technology Development Board (TDB), operating under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, has extended pivotal financial backing to Gurugram-based clean-tech company BatX Energies Pvt. Ltd. for its groundbreaking project titled “Technologies for generation of battery grade materials and value addition through closed loop.” This initiative marks a major stride in the nation’s ambition to establish a robust, self-reliant ecosystem for battery recycling and critical mineral recovery.

Project Overview: Recycling Innovation for a Sustainable Future

BatX Energies has engineered a state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical process designed to recover lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese from end-of-life lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The process is noted for being:

• Battery-chemistry agnostic, accommodating various LIB types,

• Operated under low temperature and low pressure, enhancing energy efficiency and safety,

• Implemented through a dual-mode (wet and dry) black mass recovery technology, optimizing material separation,

• Capable of 97–99% recovery rates, which places it among the most efficient in the global market.

This technological framework includes the entire chain—from collection, shredding, leaching, and downstream purification—executed via fully indigenous and patented processes, which eliminates the country’s dependency on imported recycling systems.

Scaling Up: From Pilot to Commercial Operation

The TDB-supported project will scale the company’s current pilot facility into a commercial-scale recycling plant. This new facility aims to:

• Process a variety of LIB chemistries at industrial scale,

• Produce battery-grade lithium carbonate, cobalt sulphate, and other high-purity materials,

• Cater to both domestic and export markets, ensuring global compliance with purity standards.

By increasing domestic recovery of critical minerals, the facility is poised to substantially curb India’s reliance on imports, align with Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals, and reinforce circular economy principles in energy storage and electric mobility sectors.

Strategic Vision: Clean Energy and Technological Sovereignty

Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak, Secretary, TDB, emphasized the strategic significance of such initiatives:

“The shift toward electric mobility and renewable energy must be matched by equally robust recycling infrastructure. Supporting indigenous technologies like that of BatX Energies strengthens our clean energy supply chain, enhances strategic mineral independence, and positions India to lead in sustainable industrial innovation.”

Mr. Utkarsh Singh, Co-Founder & CEO of BatX Energies, echoed this sentiment:

“TDB’s support is a game-changer for us. It validates our commitment to green technology and enables us to scale a truly indigenous solution for battery recycling. We are confident this initiative will not only reduce our critical mineral imports but also set new benchmarks in clean-tech innovation globally.”

Intellectual Property & Export Readiness

BatX Energies boasts an impressive innovation portfolio with seven patents filed, including two already granted, and complete in-house development of their processes. Their proprietary technology ensures:

• Global-grade materials output,

• Competitive advantage in battery-grade raw material supply chains,

• Export potential that complements domestic demand for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage manufacturing.

National Impact: Strengthening Clean-Tech Leadership

This project underscores India's ambition to become a global leader in sustainable battery recycling and critical raw material processing. By reducing dependence on imported materials and technologies, BatX Energies’ initiative contributes directly to:

• Cleaner and more efficient battery life cycles,

• Reduced environmental impact from battery waste,

• Strengthened supply chain resilience for India’s energy transition goals.

The TDB-backed initiative thus represents a major milestone toward building a self-sustaining, technologically advanced, and environmentally responsible battery materials economy in India.