EU and India Launch Major €15.2 Million/~₹169 Crore Joint Initiative to Revolutionize EV Battery Recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

EU and India Launch Major €15.2 Million/~₹169 Crore Joint Initiative to Revolutionize EV Battery Recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

NEW DELHI - May 6, 2026 - Under the framework of the EU-India Trade & Technology Council (TTC)- Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, the European Union and the Government of India today announced the launch of a third coordinated call for proposals focused on the Recycling of EV Batteries. With a combined funding pool of €15.2 Million (~₹169 Crore), this initiative marks a significant leap in bilateral cooperation to secure critical raw materials and drive the global transition to a circular economy.

The call (HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-04) is jointly funded by the EU's Horizon Europe program and India's Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), will support the development of advanced recycling technologies, including high-efficiency material recovery, safe and digitalised collection systems, and pilot-scale demonstration of innovative processes. A key feature is the establishment of a joint EU-India pilot line in India, enabling real-world validation and industrial deployment. It seeks to bring together top-tier researchers, industries, and startups from both regions to develop sustainable, scalable recycling solutions with global impact.

Building a "Virtual Mine" for the Future

As the demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs) surges, both the EU and India are prioritizing the recovery of strategic materials like lithium, graphite, and cobalt to reduce reliance on international imports. By 2030, India alone is estimated to have 128 GWh of recyclable battery capacity. This collaboration aims to transform battery waste into a "virtual mine," recovering high-purity materials that can be fed directly back into the production of new batteries.

Focus Areas & Innovation

The joint initiative will fund the development of an innovative pilot line in India, demonstrating processes that go beyond the current state-of-the-art. Key technical priorities include:

• High Recovery Rates: Advanced processes for Lithium and CAM-ready purity.

• Mixed Chemistry Handling: Developing flexible recycling methods for current and future battery types.

• Logistics & Inclusion: Digitalized collection and sorting systems that integrate the informal sector to ensure safe and zero-risk logistics.

• Safety & Second Life: Advanced diagnostics for second-life applications and active safety monitoring.

Strategic Partnership

This call builds on the successful 2024 India-EU Startup Battery Recycling Technologies Exchange and marks an important step forward under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council. It is aligned with the objectives of the EU Batteries Regulation and India's Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable and circular battery value chains.

Proposals must be jointly developed by EU and Indian consortia, ensuring balanced participation, common targets, and coordinated implementation, with the aim of achieving Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7-8. The call is open to a broad range of stakeholders, including companies, SMEs, startups, research institutions, universities, and other organisations from both the EU and India. The submission deadline is 15 September 2026.

EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) The EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is a high-level strategic platform designed to deepen cooperation between the European Union and India on trade, technology, and innovation. It was jointly announced by Ursula von der Leyen and Narendra Modi in April 2022, formally launched in February 2023, and held its first ministerial meeting in May 2023.

The second ministerial meeting, held in New Delhi in February 2025, reaffirmed the importance of advancing priority workstreams, particularly under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies.

As the EU's second TTC-after the EU-US TTC-the platform reflects the growing strategic, economic, and geopolitical alignment between the EU and India. It aims to foster secure, sustainable, and inclusive growth while promoting resilient value chains and upholding shared democratic values.

EU-India Research & Innovation Cooperation: The EU-India Research and Innovation (R&I) Cooperation is a longstanding and strategic partnership, anchored in the 2001 Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and renewed recently in 2020. An EU India Joint Steering Committee oversees the partnership which supports joint research in key areas such as health, energy, digital and green technologies, water, and climate. It also promotes researcher mobility, startup networking, and innovation. With over 200 joint projects to date, this growing cooperation is evolving toward mission-driven, co-funded initiatives delivering tangible global impact.

Quotes

H.E. Mr. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India:

"Batteries sit at the core of the green transition, with their components far too strategic to be discarded after a single use. By launching this joint call, we are uniting European and Indian expertise into a single team to solve one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Our goal is to take these innovations all the way from the development phase to real-world deployment- a move that represents a direct investment in our mineral security and our shared climate goals".

Mr. Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (RTD), European Commission:

"This coordinated call is a testament to the strengthening bond between the EU and India in the field of green innovation. By pooling our resources and expertise under the Horizon Europe framework, we are not just recycling batteries; we are co-creating a resilient, cross-continental value chain. This initiative will ensure that the strategic materials of tomorrow remain within our circular economies, driving both global competitiveness and our shared climate goals."

Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India:

"The launch of this joint call marks 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. By integrating advanced digital solutions and engaging the informal sector, this collaboration will turn battery waste into a high-value resource, fostering an innovation-led 'virtual mine' that supports our vision of a sustainable, self-reliant future."

Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India:

"This joint initiative marks a critical leap in India's circular economy, establishing a beyond state-of-the-art pilot line designed to transform battery waste into a strategic resource. Through these efforts, we are poised to securing a domestic supply of critical minerals and also catalysing momentum for pioneering a digitalized, inclusive logistics model that integrates the informal sector while ensuring the highest safety standards for second-life applications."

More information

• EU-India TTC: Click here

• EU- India TTC second ministerial meeting: Click here

• European Commission - Horizon Europe: Click here

• Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI): Chick here

• EU-India Research & Innovation Cooperation: Click here

• Principal Scientific Adviser Office (PSAO): Click here