New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and IT has given cost-effective lithium-ion battery recycling technology to nine recycling companies and startups. The indigenous technology can recover over 95% lithium, cobalt, manganese and nickel contents in the form of their corresponding oxides/carbonates with around 98% purity. MeitY had developed this technology under the ‘Centre of Excellence on E-Waste Management’ in collaboration with the Telangana Government along with industry partner, Greenko Energies, Hyderabad.
The novelty of the locally developed technology, according to a statement from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is that it can process various types of discarded Li-ion batteries, recovering more than 95% of the lithium (Li), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), and nickel (Ni) contents in the form of their corresponding oxides/carbonates that are approximately 98 percent pure. Leaching is the first step in the recycling process, and then metal values are hierarchically selected and extracted using a solvent extraction procedure, according to the article. The statement also mentioned other potential uses for these secondary raw materials, such as the production of batteries.
NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam emphasised on the Centre of Excellence (CoE) model of translational research and development, innovation along with partner industry from problem stage. The CEO said, “Li-ion battery recycling technology handing over to nine local industries is a laudable effort by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).”
Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Secretary, MeitY, has lauded the effort of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) on E-Waste Management, C-MET, Hyderabad, for developing low-cost technology for local recycling industries and startups.
He mentioned the special effort of the government of Telangana and Greenko Energies for nurturing a unique concept in the country to the translational research for commercialisation. He also appreciated C-MET scientists for venturing into niche technology development like hafnium metal sponge from effluents which is available with a handful of countries. Hafnium is a chemical element with the symbol Hf and atomic number 72. Classified as a transition metal, Hafnium is a solid at room temperature.
