Parliamentary Question: Circular Economy for Batteries

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) reported progress on implementation of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.

• Main update: MoEF&CC stated that the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022 (published 24 August 2022) are being implemented via a centralised online EPR portal; 3,664 producers and 442 recyclers are registered, and producers have procured EPR certificates of 7.29 lakh Metric Tonnes of key battery metals against an EPR target of 10.96 lakh Metric Tonnes. The rules mandate use of a minimum percentage of domestically recycled materials from FY 2027-28 for new battery manufacture.

• Background and supporting actions: MeitY initiated a project on informal sector upgradation under the MSE-CDP (MSME) to form recycling clusters; C-MET Li-ion recycling technology was transferred to recycling industries and start-ups under Mission LiFE; the PLI-ACC scheme (approved May 2021) has an outlay of Rs. 18,100 Crore for 50 GWh ACC capacity, and government says >10 companies have announced plans for >100 GWh additional cell capacity. MoEF&CC facilitated MoUs between CSIR laboratories and recycler organisations on 10 December 2024 for technology transfer and technical support.