India pumps EUR 1.5 billion to domestic recycling sector       

The Indian government has approved financial support of EUR 1.5 billion to ramp up the country’s battery and electronics recycling capacity and boost the recovery of critical metals. The incentive scheme is an explicit invitation to start-up businesses.

The incentive programme is part of India’s National Critical Mineral Mission, aimed at building the domestic capacity of critical minerals and resilience in the supply chain.

It will be rolled out from 2026 to 2031 across the broad electronics recycling sector, especially for companies active in the processing of e-scrap, lithium-ion batteries and catalytic convertors from end-of-life vehicles.

Supporting start-ups

The incentive is meant for established as well as smaller recyclers.  It includes start-ups, for which one-third of the funding has been earmarked. The scheme will be applicable to investments in new units as well as expansion of capacity, and the modernisation and diversification of existing units.

The scheme will provide incentives only for the recycling value chain in the ‘actual extraction of critical metals’ and not the value chain involved in only black mass production.

The government expects the programme to create 70 000 new jobs.