Government jobs • Exam updates • PreparationIndependent information portal
RojgarRankYOUR NEXT STEP STARTS HERE
Current Affairs

CSIR-NML Jamshedpur Signs MoU with R2E Greentech for Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling

By Published

On 18 June 2026, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with R2E Greentech Private Limited, New Delhi to commercialize indigenous technology for recycling end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. The technology recovers critical metals such as lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper, aluminium, and graphite through an integrated hydrometallurgical process. This initiative addresses the urgent need for sustainable battery waste management in India, where annual lithium-ion battery waste is projected to reach nearly 2 million metric tonnes by 2035, posing environmental and safety risks if not managed properly.

On this page

Key Facts

  • On 18 June 2026, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML), Jamshedpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with R2E Greentech Private Limited, New Delhi for commercializing indigenous lithium-ion battery recycling technology.
  • The technology employs an integrated hydrometallurgical process to extract critical metals including lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper, aluminium, and graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries.
  • CSIR-NML commissioned its first battery recycling pilot facility in September 2023 at Jamshedpur, capable of dismantling 1 tonne of batteries per day and separating cathode materials.
  • India’s lithium-ion battery waste is projected to reach nearly 2 million metric tonnes annually by 2035, driven by rapid growth in electric vehicles and electronics sectors.
  • End-of-life lithium-ion batteries are classified as hazardous waste if improperly disposed, which can cause soil and water contamination as well as fire hazards.

Background & Context

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in portable electronics and electric vehicles. Their end-of-life disposal and recycling have become critical due to the valuable and strategic metals they contain, such as lithium and cobalt. CSIR-NML has developed indigenous hydrometallurgical recycling technology that uses aqueous chemistry (leaching, separation, purification) for efficient metal recovery with less environmental impact compared to pyrometallurgy.

The MoU with R2E Greentech marks a move to commercialize and scale this technology, enhancing India's resource security by reducing dependence on imported critical minerals and contributing to the circular economy.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

This development highlights India’s focus on sustainable management of battery waste and strategic materials recovery, consistent with environmental and economic priorities. It encompasses technological innovation (hydrometallurgical recycling), partnerships between research institutes and industry (CSIR-NML and R2E Greentech), and projections on India's growing battery waste burden. These details are relevant for exams on current affairs, environment, science and technology, and industrial development.

Points to Remember

  • CSIR-NML is located in Jamshedpur; R2E Greentech is a New Delhi-based company.
  • The MoU was signed on 18 June 2026 to commercialize lithium-ion battery recycling technology.
  • The recycling technology recovers lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel, copper, aluminium, and graphite, all critical materials for battery manufacturing.
  • The process uses hydrometallurgy – a method involving aqueous chemical reactions to leach and purify metals.
  • India faces a projected 2 million metric tonnes of lithium-ion battery waste annually by 2035.
  • Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries poses serious environmental risks including soil and water contamination and fire hazards.
  • CSIR-NML commissioned a pilot recycling plant in September 2023 capable of processing 1 tonne per day.
← Back to Current Affairs