The lithium-ion battery demand in India is projected to increase from about 4 GWh in 2023 to more than 139 GWh by 2035. To ensure that India achieves its target of promoting cleaner energy usage, NavPrakriti, along with IIT Kharagpur, recently signed a significant MoU to explore battery recycling, conduct research and skill development programs.
Research and practical experience:
NavPrakriti, a leading organization providing lithium-ion battery recycling and refurbishment services in eastern India, has entered into an MoU with IIT Kharagpur to cooperate in various research, training, and technology areas.
Under the MoU, the students of IIT Kharagpur will be provided industrial exposure at NavPrakriti’s state-of-the-art recycling facilities, including their facility in Serampore, considered the largest lithium-ion battery recycling facility in eastern India.
In addition to this, the MoU would facilitate joint research in lithium-ion battery material recovery, hydrometallurgical refining, and chemical extraction techniques. All these research activities have strong connections with the National Critical Mineral Mission of India through which NavPrakriti is allowed to extract critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium.
Quoting Akhilesh Bagaria, Co-Founder of NavPrakriti, “It’s a matter of pride to work along with IIT Kharagpur. Together with our industrial insights and the academic brilliance at IIT Kharagpur, we will be contributing to the science of battery recycling and also helping create an exceptional learning environment for the next generation of engineers and researchers from India.”
Nurturing talents for India’s energy future:
Additionally, it is intended to build talent for India’s energy future through skill development and capacity building.
Commenting on the MoU, Avnish Bagaria, Co-Founder of NavPrakriti, said, “India’s mission to achieve self-sufficiency and sustainability requires innovative ideas as well as skilled talent. And with this MoU, we are working towards the same. We firmly believe that we will not only help build a future-ready workforce but will also help make technological advancements.” This MoU has huge potential to contribute to India’s energy future.
