India-EU Startup Matchmaking Event Advances Battery Recycling Technologies for Electric Vehicles

Hosted in partnership with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the event provided a unique platform for startups and SMEs across the battery recycling value chain.

Today, the India-European Union (EU) Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 organized a pioneering startup matchmaking event focused on Battery Recycling Technologies for Electric Vehicles (EVs). The event, held on June 20, 2024, featured twelve high-impact solution providers selected through a rigorous process by an independent Committee of Experts from both India and the EU. These startups were chosen based on scientific merit, market readiness, and potential for collaboration, reflecting the shared commitment of India and the EU to foster sustainable practices and strengthen economic ties.

Hosted in partnership with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the event provided a unique platform for startups and SMEs across the battery recycling value chain. Participating companies included Lohum, LW3 Pvt Ltd., BatX Energies, Evergreen Lithium Recycling Pvt Ltd., Metastable Materials Pvt Ltd., and CENALL Waste Management LLP from India, alongside Alterity, Ecomet Refining, Eneris, Primobius, RockTech, and Tozero from various EU member states.

Opening the event, H.E. Mr. Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU, and H.E. Mr. Herve Delphin, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to India, highlighted the significance of innovation and collaboration in green technologies, particularly in the burgeoning EV sector.

The event featured key interventions from Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Mr. Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission. Professor Sood emphasized the importance of the matchmaking event in facilitating exchange, networking, and potential investments in battery recycling technologies. He announced opportunities for selected startups to participate in exchange visits between India and the EU, fostering deeper insights into each region's EV landscapes and ecosystems.

Mr. Lemaitre underscored the event's role in advancing innovation-driven partnerships between the EU and India. He highlighted the environmental benefits of advanced battery recycling technologies, positioning the matchmaking event as a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality goals.

The event also saw contributions from Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, Sh. Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and Sh. Karthick Athmanathan, Honorary PSA Fellow, reinforces the collaborative spirit and potential for mutual growth in green technologies.

As a next step, three startups from India and three from the EU will embark on week-long market immersion experiences in each other's regions. These visits aim to catalyze pilot projects, commercial opportunities, and collaborative initiatives in battery recycling technologies.

The India-EU TTC, established in February 2023, is a pivotal platform for advancing trade and technology cooperation. With its focus on strategic technologies, digital governance, and green energy technologies, the TTC strengthens bilateral ties and promotes sustainable development based on shared values between India and the EU.