Indian and EU start-ups look to enhance cooperation in EV battery recycling technologies

The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 today organised an important start-up matchmaking event aimed at advancing battery recycling technologies for electric vehicles (EVs).

According to the press release, the event held in New Delhi was attended by twelve promising start-ups from both India and the EU, reflecting the shared commitment towards innovation, sustainability and strong economic ties between the two regions.

The Matchmaking Event commenced with the opening remarks by H.E. Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union and H.E. Mr. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India.

Their speeches underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in technology and sustainability. Following them, Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Marc Lemaître, Director General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, delivered keynote addresses emphasizing the importance of innovation-based partnerships.

Professor Sood described the event as an important platform for exchange of ideas and potential investments.

he/she added, “Today’s matchmaking event brings together the best talents and technologies from both sides in the battery recycling sector, providing them a unique platform for exchange, networking and potential investments. We believe that this exchange visit to three Indian and three EU start-ups to visit EV battery recycling facilities on both sides will be highly beneficial and will enhance their knowledge and access to the EV landscape and ecosystem in both regions.”

Lemaître, on the other hand, stressed the environmental benefits and strategic importance of this initiative.

he/she added, “Every step taken towards advanced battery recycling is a carbon-win for our environment. This matchmaking event is one such step to bring together innovative startups from both regions that seek to promote green solutions under the aegis of the EU-India Business and Technology Council.”

The event was attended by start-ups and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) across the battery recycling value chain, covering activities from collection to extraction of valuable minerals.

The selected Indian start-ups included Lohum, LW3 Pvt Ltd, BatX Energies, Evergreen Lithium Recycling Pvt Ltd, Metastable Materials Pvt Ltd and Cenol Waste Management LLP.

The European Union was represented by Alterity, Ecomet Refining, Eneris, Primobius, Rocketek and Tozero.

An important outcome of the event was the announcement of an exchange trip for three start-ups from each side. These selected companies will be involved in a week-long market immersion experience, giving them an opportunity to directly interact with stakeholders, explore opportunities for collaboration and gain insight into the local market dynamics of the respective regions.

The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was first announced in April 2022 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officially established on February 6, 2023, the TTC serves as a strategic coordination mechanism designed to address challenges at the intersection of business, technology, and security.

It aims to deepen cooperation and ensure security, prosperity and sustainable development based on shared values.

Since its inception, the TTC has significantly boosted bilateral trade between India and the EU, which reached a record high of 120 billion euros in 2022. Trade in digital products and services between the two regions reached 17 billion euros in the same year.

The TTC is organised into three working groups.

Working Group 1 focuses on strategic technologies, digital governance, and digital connectivity; Working Group 2 on green and clean energy technologies; and Working Group 3 on trade, investment, and resilient value chains.

Today’s matchmaking event is a flagship initiative under Working Group 2, co-chaired by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission.