RNS: In a significant stride towards addressing the escalating demand for Lithium, Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt while aligning with India’s ambitious Atmanirbhar Electric Vehicle (EV) mission, the National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, in collaboration with the CSIR-Bulk Chemical Mission, proudly inaugurated CSIR’s maiden Battery Recycling Pilot Facility on its premises.
This pioneering facility marks a watershed moment in the realm of battery recycling, with profound implications for sustainable resource utilization and the burgeoning electric vehicle industry.
The newly commissioned facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, boasts a 1-ton-per-day (1TPD) battery dismantling and cathode material separation setup, seamlessly integrated with a large-scale hydrometallurgical facility.
This comprehensive infrastructure is designed to extract and separate the crucial metals – Lithium, Nickel, Manganese, and Cobalt – from various types of spent rechargeable batteries, including lithium-ion batteries (including LFPs) and nickel-based batteries. Under the HIRE-OPERATE-TRANSFER mode, the facility is poised to serve as a pioneering platform for process validation and technology transfer.
At the heart of this remarkable development is NML’s patented flowsheet, credited to the brilliant minds of its inventors: Pratima Meshram, Abhilash, and Sanjay Kumar.
This innovative approach revolves around a closed-loop extraction and separation process that effectively retrieves all metals from a wide spectrum of lithium-based batteries, regardless of their chemical compositions. In a testament to its versatility, the facility also envisions expansion to cater to other battery types, catering to the specific needs and interests of recyclers.
“This Battery Recycling Pilot Facility is a culmination of tireless research and unwavering commitment to sustainability. It underscores our dedication to fostering a circular economy, reducing environmental impact, and contributing significantly to India’s EV revolution,” said an official.
The technology implemented at the facility is currently undergoing rigorous validation processes for commercialization.
Two Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in India have shown keen interest in adopting this groundbreaking technology, promising a brighter future for sustainable battery recycling practices.
As the world continues to grapple with resource scarcity and environmental concerns, the CSIR’s First Battery Recycling Pilot Facility at NML, Jamshedpur, emerges as a beacon of hope, offering a sustainable solution to power the electric mobility revolution while preserving valuable resources for generations to come.
