NavPrakriti, Eastern India’s first large-scale lithium-ion battery recycling and refurbishment company, has unveiled plans to partner with more than 150 battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) over the next three years.
Through these partnerships, the Kolkata-headquartered company aims to build a nationwide network for the collection, recycling, and refurbishment of spent lithium-ion batteries. Leveraging advanced recycling technologies and strategic industry collaborations, NavPrakriti plans to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible battery management across the entire value chain. The initiative positions the company at the forefront of India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)-driven battery recycling ecosystem, a critical pillar of the country’s clean energy and decarbonisation strategy. Recently, NavPrakriti also commenced operations at Eastern India’s first advanced lithium-ion battery recycling facility.
India’s demand for lithium-ion batteries is projected to rise sharply—from 4 GWh in 2023 to an estimated 139 GWh by 2035—driven not only by electric vehicles but also by the rapid deployment of battery energy storage systems (BESS) to support renewable energy integration and India’s Net Zero target by 2070. However, this growth brings mounting waste challenges. In 2022, lithium-ion batteries accounted for around 700,000 tonnes of India’s 1.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste. Despite being the world’s third-largest e-waste generator, only about 40% of this waste is currently recycled, highlighting the urgent need for scalable and sustainable recycling solutions.
To address this, the Government of India introduced the Battery Waste Management Rules (BWMR) in 2022, placing Extended Producer Responsibility at the core of battery waste regulation. Under the EPR framework, producers are required to ensure and finance the collection and recycling of batteries through authorised recyclers. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has further strengthened the system via a digital EPR portal that tracks battery waste from production to disposal, links manufacturers with registered recyclers, and enables compliance through EPR credits. A mandated floor price for recyclers also ensures fair compensation for investments in infrastructure, technology, and skilled labour.
Akhilesh Bagaria, Founder of NavPrakriti, said:
“Our aim is to set a new benchmark for responsible battery recycling in India, fully aligned with the government’s vision for a circular and self-reliant economy. By partnering with battery manufacturers and OEMs nationwide, we are not just managing waste—we are closing the loop on critical raw materials, strengthening India’s clean energy ambitions, and accelerating the country’s EPR journey.”
NavPrakriti’s strategy aligns closely with the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) and the Battery Waste Management Rules 2022, positioning battery recycling as a new form of resource regeneration and a future-facing “mining frontier” for India. With tighter hazardous waste and EPR regulations expected to come into force in 2026, the company has invested in advanced tracking, compliance, and reporting systems to stay ahead of the evolving regulatory landscape. Its collaborative, nationwide model could serve as a benchmark for EPR-led sustainability in India.
Founded in 2024, NavPrakriti currently operates a facility capable of processing up to 1,000 tonnes of used batteries per month, with the capacity to double as demand grows. The company already recycles batteries from consumer electronics, telecom infrastructure, and industrial applications. Its operations focus on recovering aluminium and copper, along with intermediary products rich in nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. Looking ahead, NavPrakriti plans to expand into hydrometallurgical refining, battery-grade chemical recovery, and second-life battery refurbishment for residential and industrial use—helping transform end-of-life batteries into critical raw materials for the next generation of energy storage systems.