India has the potential to achieve self-reliance in cell manufacturing by focusing on lithium recycling and reuse, an official from the Ministry of Heavy Industries said on Wednesday. Speaking at the third India Battery Manufacturing & Supply Chain Summit (IBMSCS), Vijay Mittal, Joint Secretary at the ministry, emphasized that limited domestic lithium resources are a challenge for the sector’s growth.
“Recycling will play a critical role as our lithium reserves are limited. Keeping lithium within the country through effective recycling and reuse can be a game-changer for achieving self-reliance in cell production,” he stated.
Mittal shared insights from a visit to a leading lithium recycling facility, noting that the facility can regenerate lithium to the quality required for battery manufacturing. The India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) announced that the fourth IBMSCS will take place on January 15-16, 2025, in New Delhi.
IESA President Debi Prasad Dash revealed that the alliance is collaborating with over 60 battery and component manufacturers to address industry needs and has proposed a social incentive program to the government to boost battery component manufacturing.
Dash expressed optimism about the upcoming Budget, expecting it to include a support scheme for the battery ecosystem. The Ministry of Heavy Industries is actively consulting industry stakeholders to draft policies that foster innovation and provide incentives for the sector. The proposed policies aim to streamline regulations, offer financial support, and improve ease of doing business to support India’s vision for advanced battery manufacturing.
Founded in 2012 by Customized Energy Solutions, IESA is a leading organization promoting energy storage, green hydrogen, and e-mobility advancements, with the goal of establishing India as a global hub for innovation and production in these technologies.
