NavPrakriti Invests ₹25 Crore in Bengal Battery Recycling Plant, Eyes Chemical Recovery and Refurbishment

NavPrakriti, a newly established company, has invested ₹25 crore to set up a significant battery recycling plant in Serampore, West Bengal. This facility is designed to process 12,000 tonnes of end-of-life batteries annually, with provisions to scale up to 24,000 tonnes. The plant focuses on recovering valuable materials such as aluminium, copper, plastic, and critical minerals like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. This initiative aligns with India's national objectives to bolster its recycling capacity and enhance domestic production of critical minerals, supported by a Union government incentive scheme of ₹1,500 crore. NavPrakriti, which bootstrapped its operations, plans a further investment of ₹60-75 crore for expansion. Future plans include establishing a battery refurbishment unit, aiming to give batteries a second life, and venturing into refining processes to extract high-purity cobalt and lithium for reuse. The company has collaborated with C-Met Hyderabad for technology development. Currently sourcing feedstock from the unorganized sector, NavPrakriti is exploring partnerships with battery manufacturers and OEMs under the EPR framework and also considering imports from neighbouring countries.

Impact: This development is crucial for India's circular economy goals in the battery sector, reducing import dependency for critical minerals and promoting sustainable waste management practices. It is expected to catalyze further investments in battery recycling infrastructure, benefiting related companies and contributing to environmental sustainability. The focus on refurbishment also underscores a growing trend in resource optimization. Rating: 7/10.

Difficult Terms: Bootstrapped: A company funded and grown using its own financial resources, without external capital like venture capital or loans. EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility): An environmental policy making producers accountable for the sound management of their products throughout their life cycle, particularly their waste. OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers): Companies that manufacture parts or products that are then sold under another company's brand. Feedstock: Raw materials or ingredients used in industrial processes. Refurbishment: The process of repairing and upgrading used products to restore them to good working condition.