In a significant push towards sustainable resource management, Uttar Pradesh has inaugurated India’s first integrated recycling facility for lithium-ion batteries and rare earth magnets at the UPSIDC Industrial Area. Developed by Rocklink India, the plant is expected to strengthen domestic recovery of critical minerals and support the country’s clean energy transition.
Integrated Recycling for Critical Materials
The state-of-the-art facility is designed to process lithium-ion batteries, rare earth magnets, and metal-bearing industrial waste. It aims to create circular supply chains for materials widely used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Capacity and Rare Earth Recovery
The plant has an initial lithium-ion battery recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year, along with the capability to process 60 tonnes of rare earth magnets every month. Additionally, a rare-earth chloride processing unit with an annual capacity of 1,500 tonnes is slated to become operational by 2026.
Advanced Recovery and Compliance
Registered under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) norms, the facility can handle up to 95 types of battery scrap, including both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Its in-house R2 recycling process ensures recovery rates exceeding 98 percent for key metals such as aluminium, copper, and iron, while maintaining strict environmental safety standards.
Boost to Circular Economy
The plant will also support battery refurbishment by testing and reusing viable cells, thereby extending battery life and reducing waste. Dedicated systems for recycling rare earth magnets such as NdFeB, SmCo, and AlNiCo will enhance material traceability and efficiency.
Officials say the project marks a crucial step in reducing India’s dependence on imports of critical minerals and advancing a sustainable ecosystem for clean energy technologies and strategic industries.