Bhubaneswar: The India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 organized a startup matchmaking event today, featuring twelve high-impact solution providers in battery recycling technologies for electric vehicles (EVs). This initiative underscores the commitment of India and the EU to promote sustainability, foster innovation, and strengthen economic ties.
The event, aimed at showcasing innovative technologies in the battery recycling sector, saw participation from startups operating across the battery recycling value chain, covering everything from collection to valuable mineral extraction. The Indian startups included Lohum, LW3 Pvt Ltd., BatX Energies, Evergreen Lithium Recycling Pvt Ltd., Metastable Materials Pvt Ltd., and CENALL Waste Management LLP. Representing the EU were Alterity, Ecomet Refining, Eneris, Primobius, RockTech, and Tozero.
Following a call for expressions of interest, an independent committee of experts from both India and the EU shortlisted these twelve startups based on their scientific merit, market readiness, and potential for cooperation.
The event commenced with opening remarks from Saurabh Kumar, Ambassador of India to Belgium, Luxembourg, and the EU, and Herve Delphin, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to India. They highlighted the significance of fostering innovation and cooperation in green technologies, particularly in the burgeoning EV sector.
Key interventions were made by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission.
“This matchmaking event brings together the best talents and technologies in the battery recycling space on both sides, providing an exclusive platform for exchange, networking, and prospective investments. We believe the exchange trip, awarded to three Indian and three EU startups to visit EV battery recycling facilities, will be highly beneficial. It will enhance their insights and access to the EV landscape and ecosystems in both regions,” said Prof. Sood.
Lemaitre emphasized the importance of an innovation-led EU-India partnership, stating, “Every step towards advanced battery recycling is a significant carbon-win for our environment. This matchmaking event is such a step by bringing together innovative startups from both regions that want to scale up green solutions under the umbrella of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council.”
The event also saw participation from Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, Sukumar Mishra, Director, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and Sh. Karthick Athmanathan, Honorary PSA Fellow.
As a next step, three startups each from India and the EU will be awarded an opportunity to visit the EU and India, respectively, for a week-long market immersion experience. During their visit, the selected companies will engage directly with interested stakeholders, explore potential collaborations, and gain insights into the local market landscape. This visit aims to establish pilot projects, commercial opportunities, and co-development initiatives, further cementing the partnership between India and the EU in advancing sustainable battery recycling technologies.