NavPrakriti to partner 150+ firms to boost battery recycling in India

Leading lithium-ion battery recycler NavPrakriti has announced plans to partner with more than 150 battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) over the next three years, as it looks to build a nationwide ecosystem for the collection, recycling and refurbishment of spent batteries. NavPrakriti held that the initiative aims to strengthen environmentally responsible battery management by combining advanced recycling technologies with strategic industry collaborations across the value chain.

The move places NavPrakriti at the centre of India’s push to develop a robust, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)–led battery recycling framework—an essential pillar for achieving the country’s clean energy transition and long-term decarbonisation goals.

Akhilesh Bagaria, Founder of NavPrakriti, said, “Our aim is to set a new benchmark for responsible battery recycling in India, fully aligned with the government’s vision for a circular and self-reliant economy. By partnering with battery manufacturers and OEMs nationwide, we’re not just managing waste, we’re helping to close the loop on critical raw materials, boost India’s clean energy ambitions, and accelerate the country’s EPR journey.”

Battery Recycling & India

Industry estimates suggest India’s lithium battery demand will rise sharply from about 4 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2023 to nearly 139 GWh by 2035, driven not only by electric vehicles but also by the rapid deployment of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to support renewable energy integration and India’s Net Zero 2070 target.

However, this growth has intensified concerns around battery waste. Lithium-ion batteries alone contributed an estimated 700,000 tonnes to India’s total e-waste generation of 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2022. Despite being the world’s third-largest e-waste generator, India recycled only around 40 per cent of its e-waste last year, highlighting the urgent need for scalable and compliant recycling solutions.

To address this, the government introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022, making EPR mandatory for battery producers. The Central Pollution Control Board has further reinforced the framework through a digital EPR portal that tracks battery waste from production to disposal, connects producers with authorised recyclers and enables EPR credit trading with assured floor prices for recyclers.