India and the European Union have launched a joint €15.2 million (around Rs 169 crore) initiative under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to strengthen electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling and support the transition towards a circular economy.

The programme, announced under TTC Working Group-2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, will focus on developing advanced recycling technologies, improving recovery of critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt and graphite, and establishing safer and more efficient collection systems.

The initiative will be jointly funded through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme and India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). It also includes plans to set up a joint India-EU pilot line in India for testing and industrial deployment of innovative recycling solutions.

Officials from both sides highlighted that the collaboration aims to strengthen mineral security, promote sustainable mobility and deepen India-EU cooperation in clean energy and green innovation.