Recyclekaro has made a substantial investment of 100 crore in establishing a Nickel Metal plant facility within the country. This strategic move is geared towards reinforcing India’s standing within the worldwide lithium-ion value chain. During an interaction with Vidushi, Prassann Daphal, CEO, Recyclekaro discussed Recyclekaro’s initiatives in battery recycling, their investment in a Nickel Metal plant, and efforts to support India’s lithium-ion value chain and circular economy.
1. How is Recyclekaro addressing India’s growing demand for lithium and critical minerals through recycling efforts?
Recyclekaro is a dedicated lithium-ion battery recycling specialist with an impressive annual capacity of 2,200 tonnes. The company plays a vital role in sustainable battery management by carefully dismantling and extracting valuable materials. Recovered metals like lithium carbonate, cobalt sulphate, nickel, and manganese sulphate are repurposed in various industries. Sodium sulphate is responsibly repurposed, while copper and aluminium are recycled. Plastic components undergo environmentally conscious disposal or recycling. By recycling lithium-ion batteries, Recyclekaro conserves resources and reduces the environmental impact of battery disposal, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to battery waste management.
2. What impact do you foresee from India’s “Critical Mineral Mission” on Recyclekaro and the renewable energy sector?
The Critical Mineral Mission is a government initiative aimed at enhancing India’s resource security by boosting domestic production and recycling of critical minerals, as well as securing their acquisition from abroad. This initiative is anticipated to benefit the renewable energy sector and various other industries in multiple ways, including:
Increasing Demand – A 25% customs duty waiver on critical minerals is projected to drive demand across the renewable energy, electric vehicle, and other sectors.
Fortifying Supply Chains – The initiative will strengthen the supply chain ecosystem for critical minerals, which are vital components in numerous electronic devices.
Fostering Technology Development – The mission will emphasize the advancement of technology and the cultivation of a skilled workforce within the critical minerals sector.
Broadening Producer Responsibility – An expanded producer responsibility framework will be part of the mission, benefiting the e-waste and battery recycling industries.
The critical mineral mission will allow Recyclekaro to better address regulatory issues concerning the procurement and trading of critical materials. It will also impact the overall recycling industry and take this toward a circular economy.
3. How will your ₹100 crore investment in a Nickel Metal plant strengthen India’s role in the global lithium-ion value chain?
This recent investment highlights Recyclekaro’s dedication to fulfilling the value chain of a circular economy while addressing the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries in India’s electric vehicle market. Additionally, it seeks to support India’s self-reliance (Atmanirbhar) by tackling the global shortage of nickel and diminishing reliance on China’s dominance in this sector. The lithium-ion battery sector, while not a major user of nickel at present, is anticipated to experience a dramatic surge in nickel demand for lithium-ion batteries, potentially increasing by as much as tenfold by 2030. The growing adoption of electric vehicles is expected to significantly boost nickel demand, with projections indicating an increase of over 60% by 2040. By establishing this nickel production facility, Recyclekaro seeks to enhance India’s role in the global lithium-ion value chain.
4. Can you discuss the significance of your partnership with Bajaj Auto for EV battery recycling and future collaborations?
The partnership aims to manage approximately 500 metric tons of batteries each year, tackling the pressing challenge of battery waste while promoting efficient resource utilization in alignment with global sustainability goals and a circular economy. Employing its Hydrometallurgy technology, Recyclekaro intends to recycle batteries from Bajaj Auto vehicles, recovering up to 95% of essential battery raw materials, including cobalt, lithium, nickel, and manganese. These recovered materials can then be utilized to manufacture new batteries.
5. How will launching India’s first Plasma Furnace Technology Unit enhance your recycling capacity to 75,000 MT annually?
Utilizing Plasma Furnace Technology, the company seeks to challenge China’s leading role in rare earth elements (REE) production, with a target of producing between 1 to 1.5 million tons annually. This cutting-edge technology functions at temperatures from 1000 to 5000 degrees Celsius, allowing for faster processing times and improved metal recovery rates compared to traditional techniques. With a projected 90 percent boost in efficiency and productivity, the company is set to make a notable difference in metal extraction while supporting sustainability goals and meeting regulatory requirements. The Plasma Furnace Technology Unit will feature advanced machinery, ensuring operations that are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly while complying with rigorous environmental and safety standards. This development not only offers economic prospects for India but also fosters the circular economy, generates jobs, and drives technological advancements.
6. How does Recyclekaro maintain eco-friendly operations while expanding recycling and waste processing capabilities?
Our R&D team has been unwavering in its quest for innovative recycling solutions. We utilize top-tier equipment to ensure component purity at every stage, from raw materials to the final product. Our standout achievement is the refinement of the hydrometallurgical process, which allows us to recycle various components from all types of lithium-ion batteries with over 99% purity. Our methods are designed to be environmentally friendly while effectively extracting precious metals from e-waste and batteries. Additionally, we have invested in specialized machinery to manage different e-waste streams, incorporating automation to enhance efficiency and minimize our carbon footprint.
