Latest news with #BatteryWasteManagementRules
The Hindu
04-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
The missing link in India's battery waste management
India, with its focus on decarbonisation, has witnessed rapid electrification, particularly in the realm of electric vehicle (EV) adoption. There are projections that India's EV lithium battery demand may skyrocket to nearly 139 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2035 from 4 GWh in 2023. India's expanding renewable energy sector is also catalysing demand for lithium batteries, with rapid adoption of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to meet India's Net Zero goal by 2070. While the growth in EV adoption is desirable, it may impose environmental costs without a robust recycling framework in place. Improper disposal of lithium batteries has severe repercussions, including leakage of hazardous materials into soil and water. Added to this is the growing volume of battery waste, with lithium batteries alone accounting for 7,00,000 of the 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022. Recognising these risks, the government notified the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022 to ensure sustainable management and recycling. The first problem is the floor price A cornerstone of the rules is the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which compels producers to fund battery collection and recycling, and aims to close the loop in the battery value chain. Producers rely on recyclers to meet their recycling targets since they do not possess the logistics and the infrastructure for the collection of battery waste. In practice, recyclers must receive a minimum price, known as the EPR floor price, in exchange for EPR certificates that attest that producers have met their recycling obligations. The EPR floor price ensures that recyclers are adequately compensated for their upfront investment in infrastructure, research and development, labour, technology and recycling methods. Unfortunately, there are certain hurdles, the first being the EPR floor price being too low to sustain the robust recycling of battery waste generated by producers. Proper disposal of lithium battery waste is expensive, requiring advanced processing technologies, safe transportation, and skilled labour to prevent hazardous materials from leaching into ecosystems. Lithium-ion batteries also have valuable and rare minerals such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, whose efficient recovery can significantly reduce India's import dependence. In case, the EPR floor price does not adequately cover proper recycling costs, it becomes economically unviable for legitimate recyclers to operate sustainably. As a result, informal and fraudulent recyclers tend to flourish, creating market distortions and perverse incentives for producers. They often issue false recycling certificates or dump hazardous waste — a failure previously witnessed in India's plastic waste management sector. If left unchecked, such practices may undermine India's circular economy ambitions. Without fair EPR floor pricing, India faces severe environmental degradation from improper battery recycling or dumping. The financial repercussions are equally alarming. Experts estimate that by 2030, inadequate battery recycling could cost India over $1 billion in foreign exchange losses. A resistance to compliance Large consumer electronics and manufacturers have further complicated the issue by resisting compliance. Large producers' policies are different for developed and developing countries, allowing corporations to circumvent environmental responsibilities in developing markets. This trend risks undermining the establishment of resilient and sustainable battery ecosystems across the global south. Interestingly, adjusting the EPR floor price should not increase costs for consumers. While global metal prices have declined over the past two years, manufacturers have not passed on these savings to consumers, indicating that Original Equipment Manufacturers can absorb higher recycling costs without raising prices. A fair EPR floor price will ensure sustainable recycling without burdening end users, while fostering a circular economy that benefits industry and consumers. To protect legitimate recyclers and encourage compliance, India must consider adopting a fair and globally comparable EPR floor price that reflects the real costs of recycling and industry building, and which can ease to market-driven prices when the ecosystem is mature and standardisation is in place. This requires immediate constructive dialogue among policymakers, industry and recyclers to establish a viable pricing structure after analysing global pricing structures and best practices. For instance, the United Kingdom requires producers to pay close to ₹600 per kilogram for EV battery recycling, whereas what is under consideration for India is less than a fourth of that. This is a significant difference even after adjusting for purchasing power between India and the U.K. The EPR floor price for recycling battery waste should cover the full spectrum of recycling expenses, from collection to material recovery, ensuring that recyclers can operate sustainably without resorting to shortcuts. A fair EPR regime will also incentivise battery producers to hold recyclers accountable through audits. Integrate informal recyclers Enforcement mechanisms need urgent strengthening in India. This includes implementing robust audit systems, digitising the issuance and the tracking of EPR certificates, and imposing stringent penalties for fraud and non-compliance. Additionally, integrating informal recyclers into the formal sector through training and regulatory support can help eliminate hazardous practices while expanding India's recycling capacity. This is not just an environmental challenge. It is an economic and strategic imperative. By recalibrating the EPR floor price, strengthening enforcement, and formalising the informal sector, we can transform battery waste from a looming crisis into a catalyst for green growth and a truly circular economy. Arun Goyal is a retired IAS officer. He is a former Secretary to the Government of India and a former Member of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
EV battery outlook: Lithium-ion demand set to jump 48% by 2030, says ICEA report; Import reliance and EoL waste pose key challenges
The lithium-ion battery (LiB) market in India is projected to grow sharply over the next five years, led by rising demand from electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and stationary storage applications, according to a joint report released by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Accenture. The report estimates that total LiB demand will reach 115 GWh by 2030, with electric vehicle-linked usage expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48per cent. In comparison, demand from stationary storage is projected to grow at 14per cent CAGR and from consumer electronics at 3per cent, ANI reported. The surge in demand comes amid India's broader push towards its Net Zero targets and the government's supportive policies on clean energy adoption, domestic cell manufacturing, and battery end-of-life (EoL) management. However, the report also highlights structural challenges related to import dependence and environmental risks. Imports rise as local capacity lags 'India currently lacks Li-ion cell pack manufacturing capabilities and mining infrastructure, making it heavily reliant on imports of LiBs consisting of critical battery-active materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese,' the report noted. ICEA and Accenture estimate that cumulative demand for these critical materials will exceed 250 kilo tonnes between 2024 and 2030, translating to an import exposure of over $5 billion. To address these risks, the government has launched initiatives including the Critical Minerals Mission and exemptions on trade duties for key minerals. The report also references the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2022, which mandate responsible disposal and recycling of used batteries. Collection remains low despite rules Despite the regulatory push, about 39per cent of end-of-life consumer electronics batteries are not being collected, the report observed. India's goals under its COP26 'Panchamrit' pledge include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity and cutting emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. It also plans to reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45per cent and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. According to the report, India's ability to meet these targets hinges partly on its capacity to scale Li-ion battery production while managing the supply chain and environmental footprint.
India Gazette
09-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
EVs to drive lithium-ion battery demand growth by remarkable 48% CAGR through 2030: Report
New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): The lithium-ion battery (LiB) market in India is poised for rapid growth, driven by increasing demand from consumer electronics (CEs), electric vehicles (EVs), and stationary storage (SS) applications, according to a joint report by India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Accenture. The demand for lithium-ion battery is expected to reach 115 GWh by 2030 with consumer electronics growth projected at 3 per cent, stationary storage at 14 per cent, and EVs at a remarkable 48 per cent CAGR between now and 2030. As per the report, this growth will also be supported by India's commitments to Net-Zero goals and favorable government policies on catalysing demand for low-carbon energy, cell manufacturing, and end-of-life (EoL) management of lithium-ion batteries. On the flip side, with rise in this demand, India also faces challenges such as a rising import bill and environmental impact due to disposal of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. 'India currently lacks Li-ion cell pack manufacturing capabilities and mining infrastructure, making it heavily reliant on imports of LiBs consisting of critical battery-active materials such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Manganese,' the ICEA report read. The projected cumulative demand for the period 2024 to 2030 for these critical active materials is estimated to reach more than 250kT, translating into an import exposure of more than USD 5 billion. To address these challenges, the government has introduced various policy interventions, such as the Critical Minerals Mission, trade duty exemptions on critical minerals, among others. Further, CPCB introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022, establishing a regulatory framework to foster recycling and retention of critical battery-active materials within India. Nearly 39 per cent of consumer electronics batteries that have reached their end-of-life do not get collected. At COP26 held in 2021, India committed to an ambitious five-part 'Panchamrit' pledge. They included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, and reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. India as a whole also aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent. Finally, India commits to net-zero emissions by 2070. (ANI)
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
EVs to drive lithium-ion battery demand growth by remarkable 48% CAGR through 2030
The lithium-ion battery (LiB) market in India is poised for rapid growth, driven by increasing demand from consumer electronics (CEs), electric vehicles (EVs), and stationary storage (SS) applications, according to a joint report by India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Accenture. The demand for lithium-ion battery is expected to reach 115 GWh by 2030 with consumer electronics growth projected at 3 per cent, stationary storage at 14 per cent, and EVs at a remarkable 48 per cent CAGR between now and 2030. As per the report, this growth will also be supported by India's commitments to Net-Zero goals and favorable government policies on catalysing demand for low-carbon energy, cell manufacturing, and end-of-life (EoL) management of lithium-ion batteries. On the flip side, with rise in this demand, India also faces challenges such as a rising import bill and environmental impact due to disposal of end-of-life lithium-ion batteries. "India currently lacks Li-ion cell pack manufacturing capabilities and mining infrastructure, making it heavily reliant on imports of LiBs consisting of critical battery-active materials such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, and Manganese," the ICEA report read. The projected cumulative demand for the period 2024 to 2030 for these critical active materials is estimated to reach more than 250kT, translating into an import exposure of more than USD 5 billion. To address these challenges, the government has introduced various policy interventions, such as the Critical Minerals Mission, trade duty exemptions on critical minerals, among others. Further, CPCB introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022, establishing a regulatory framework to foster recycling and retention of critical battery-active materials within India. Nearly 39 per cent of consumer electronics batteries that have reached their end-of-life do not get collected. At COP26 held in 2021, India committed to an ambitious five-part "Panchamrit" pledge. They included reaching 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generating half of all energy requirements from renewables, and reducing emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. India as a whole also aims to reduce the emissions intensity of GDP by 45 per cent. Finally, India commits to net-zero emissions by 2070.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
EV battery outlook: Lithium-ion demand set to jump 48% by 2030, says ICEA report; Import reliance and EoL waste pose key challenges
The lithium-ion battery (LiB) market in India is projected to grow sharply over the next five years, led by rising demand from electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and stationary storage applications, according to a joint report released by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and Accenture. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report estimates that total LiB demand will reach 115 GWh by 2030, with electric vehicle-linked usage expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 48%. In comparison, demand from stationary storage is projected to grow at 14% CAGR and from consumer electronics at 3%, ANI reported. The surge in demand comes amid India's broader push towards its Net Zero targets and the government's supportive policies on clean energy adoption, domestic cell manufacturing, and battery end-of-life (EoL) management. However, the report also highlights structural challenges related to import dependence and environmental risks. Imports rise as local capacity lags 'India currently lacks Li-ion cell pack manufacturing capabilities and mining infrastructure, making it heavily reliant on imports of LiBs consisting of critical battery-active materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese,' the report noted. ICEA and Accenture estimate that cumulative demand for these critical materials will exceed 250 kilo tonnes between 2024 and 2030, translating to an import exposure of over $5 billion. To address these risks, the government has launched initiatives including the Critical Minerals Mission and exemptions on trade duties for key minerals. The report also references the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR), introduced by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in 2022, which mandate responsible disposal and recycling of used batteries. Collection remains low despite rules Despite the regulatory push, about 39% of end-of-life consumer electronics batteries are not being collected, the report observed. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now India's goals under its COP26 'Panchamrit' pledge include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity and cutting emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030. It also plans to reduce GDP emissions intensity by 45% and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. According to the report, India's ability to meet these targets hinges partly on its capacity to scale Li-ion battery production while managing the supply chain and environmental footprint.
