Telangana Told To Build Full Battery Recycling Chain
Experts call for reuse, recycling and critical mineral recovery before battery waste surges
Hyderabad: Telangana needs to build a complete battery ecosystem covering raw material sourcing, manufacturing, collection, reuse, recycling and recovery of critical minerals to make battery waste management sustainable, experts said at a workshop held in Hyderabad.
Experts warned that the volume of end‑of‑life batteries is expected to rise significantly after 2030, making it important to promote reuse and second‑life applications of batteries before sending them for intensive recycling.
Dr Sundar Mayavan of CSIR‑Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR‑CECRI) said battery recyclers would face a major challenge after 2030 when large quantities of end‑of‑life batteries are expected to enter the waste stream.
He stressed the need to promote repurposing and second‑life applications of batteries before recycling. “Government has to intervene and ensure that batteries do not end up on the earth. Batteries should be repurposed for other useful applications instead of directly going for hard‑core recycling,” he said.
Dr Pratima Meshram of CSIR‑National Metallurgical Laboratory said India needed self‑sustainable battery manufacturing capabilities backed by strong infrastructure and a comprehensive “grave‑to‑cradle” approach.
She said an integrated system covering raw material sourcing, processing, battery manufacturing, collection, recycling and recovery of valuable materials was essential for creating a sustainable battery industry.
The Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB), in coordination with IIT Hyderabad and with support from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), organised the workshop on battery waste management and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) at the TGPCB office in Sanathnagar.
More than 90 representatives from battery manufacturers, recyclers, research institutions, academia, regulators and industry participated in the programme.
TGPCB member secretary G. Ravi highlighted the Telangana Rising 2047 vision and said the state’s plans for expanded renewable energy, net‑zero emissions, electrification of public transport and a shift towards a circular economy would require stronger battery waste management systems.
He said Telangana was working to build the technical and institutional capacity required to make battery waste management an important part of the State’s circular economy.
The outcomes and recommendations of the workshop will be shared with the CPCB as part of Telangana’s contribution to the World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2026.
