Jamshedpur: CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) marked National Technology Day 2025 by highlighting its transformative work in electronic waste management, celebrating over 15 years of innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable impact in the sector.
Led by Chief Scientist Dr. Manis Kumar Jha, CSIR-NML has been at the forefront of developing and transferring environmentally friendly e-waste recycling technologies at both national and international levels. These efforts are not only aiding in pollution reduction but also contributing to employment generation and the formalization of India’s informal e-waste sector.
So far, 13 Indian companies are commercially recycling e-waste using NML’s technology. The initiative aligns with projections from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which estimates that by 2030, India’s e-waste sector could generate over 500,000 jobs — including 450,000 direct roles in collection, dismantling, and recycling, along with 180,000 indirect jobs in logistics and manufacturing.
During the celebration, industry partners and license holders praised CSIR-NML’s contributions.
Trivedi, Founder and CEO of Novasensa Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, expressed pride in adopting NML’s technology for recycling lithium-ion batteries and printed circuit boards. “We’re not just managing waste; we’re conserving resources for future generations,” he said.
Ashish Lohia, Director of Eyantram Waste Management Pvt. Ltd., Visakhapatnam, echoed similar sentiments. “Collaborating with CSIR-NML has enabled us to further our mission of building a pollution-free society,” he stated, commending Dr. Jha’s pivotal role in the project’s success.
Rahul Singh, Business Head at Exigo Recycling, emphasized the broader impact of the lab’s innovations. “Technology is the foundation of industrial progress, and CSIR-NML’s work is critical for India’s self-reliance in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Under the Critical Mineral Mission, we are committed to scaling sustainable recycling and second-life battery solutions.”
The celebration not only honored technological progress but also underscored CSIR-NML’s vital role in shaping a greener, more sustainable future through science-driven industry partnerships.
