Winners Announced
Three start-ups from the European Union (EU) and three from India have been selected as the winners of the Battery Recycling Technologies Matchmaking Event. This event was organized under the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
What They Won
The winning start-ups will enjoy an all-expenses-paid market immersion experience in the EU and India. This week-long trip, funded by the EU, will let them:
- Connect with key stakeholders, including government officials
- Visit battery recycling facilities
- Explore pilot projects, commercial collaborations, and co-development initiatives
Additionally, two more promising start-ups, Primobius (Germany) and Lohum (India), have been invited to join the winning group. They will explore market access opportunities through trade and technology collaboration but without financial assistance.
European Start-ups Visiting India
Ecomet Refining (Italy)
- Specialization: Recovering and refining precious metals and critical raw materials from electronic waste, lithium-ion batteries, catalysts, and photovoltaic panels.
- Innovation: Uses a revised TBRC (Top Blown Rotary Converter) oven to significantly reduce environmental impact and energy consumption.
Eneris (Poland)
- Specialization: Mechanical treatment of End-of-Life battery packs and production waste.
- Outputs: Produces first-grade black mass from various technologies, including NMC, LFP, and LTO.
Tozero (Germany)
- Specialization: Recovering critical materials from battery waste and reintegrating them into the battery supply chain.
- Innovation: Uses a hydrometallurgical process that eliminates waste streams and reduces CO2 emissions.
Primobius (Germany)
- Specialization: Recycling Li-ion batteries of various chemistries, formats, and types without full discharge.
- Innovation: Modular design with throughputs of 750 kg/h or 1500 kg/h, covering processes from shredding to hydrometallurgy.
Indian Start-ups Visiting the EU
BatX Energies
- Specialization: Advanced Hydro+Electro technology to recycle lithium-ion batteries.
- Impact: Recycled 2,500 metric tons of batteries, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 130,000 kg of CO2.
Evergreen Lithium Recycling Private Limited
- Specialization: Recycling all types of lithium-ion batteries to extract critical metals.
- Impact: Supports a circular economy by reusing metals from end-of-life batteries.
LW3 Pvt. Ltd
- Specialization: EV Battery Passport services using advanced non-cloneable physical IDs (QR Code, NFC) and inter-operable Layer 1 public blockchains.
- Innovation: Powered by Decentralized Finance (De-Fi).
Lohum (India)
- Specialization: Sustainable energy transition materials and low-carbon refining technologies.
- Impact: Dominates India’s lithium-ion battery recycling sector, serving over 200 global customers and suppliers.
The Bigger Picture
This initiative aims to:
- Foster cross-border partnerships
- Provide insights into local market dynamics
- Drive innovation and growth in the battery recycling industry
By bridging the gap between the EU and India, the TTC seeks to promote mutual growth and development in this crucial field.
Market Overview
- India’s Lithium-ion Battery Market: Valued at approximately €52.1 Million in 2024, projected to grow to around €1.4 Billion by 2030.
- EU Market: Valued at around €18.1 Billion in 2022, projected to grow to approximately €86.8 Billion by 2032.
Importance of Recycling
Recycling lithium-ion batteries helps:
- Reduce dependency on international imports
- Drive circularity of rare materials
- Retain an independent value chain
Event Background
The matchmaking event, organized by the EU and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, provided a platform for start-ups and SMEs to showcase their innovative solutions.
Key Figures
- Mr. Marc Lemaitre: Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission
- Professor Ajay Kumar Sood: Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
- H.E. Mr. Herve Delphin: Ambassador of the European Union to India
- H.E. Mr. Saurabh Kumar: Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the European Union (EU)
Conclusion
The matchmaking initiative is a significant milestone in strengthening EU-India cooperation through science, research, and innovation.
