INDIA · WORLD & POLITICS
India funds critical-minerals recovery from e-waste
Economic Times
18 Feb · 11:45 AM
Change
India approved a $170 million programme to expand formal e-waste recycling to recover critical minerals.
Why it matters
The programme formalizes and scales extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel and other critical minerals from discarded batteries and electronics, adding an alternative supply source for manufacturers exposed to concentrated global production. With domestic mining not expected to deliver meaningful output for at least a decade, the policy changes the availability timeline for locally sourced inputs by prioritizing recycling throughput. The move also increases the role of compliance-linked collection and processing, which can re-route feedstock away from informal operators. For downstream sectors (electronics, EVs, defense-related manufacturing), the change affects sourcing options and potential qualification requirements tied to recycled-material supply chains.
Implications
- • More regulated recycling capacity competes with informal e-waste channels
- • Critical-mineral availability shifts toward recycled inputs vs mined supply
- • Higher demand for compliant collection/traceability in e-waste supply chains
- • Recycling throughput becomes a binding constraint for local input volumes
Who is affected
- • E-waste recyclers and battery recycling operators in India
- • Electronics and smartphone manufacturers sourcing battery materials
- • EV and battery cell manufacturers using lithium/cobalt/nickel inputs
- • Informal e-waste collectors and dismantlers facing feedstock diversion
Source
Read original → Economic Times
Topics
World & Politics Policy & Regulation Business & Markets Supply Chain & Logistics Manufacturing