In a significant move to strengthen supply security of critical minerals, the Ministry of Mines has approved 58 companies as eligible participants under its incentive scheme aimed at promoting recycling of key minerals.
The initiative, launched under the National Critical Mineral Mission with a total outlay of ₹1,500 crore, seeks to build domestic recycling capacity for critical minerals extracted from lithium-ion batteries, e-waste, and industrial scrap. The move is expected to reduce India’s reliance on imports while supporting clean energy and advanced manufacturing sectors.
The Ministry said the scheme, notified in October 2025, received strong industry response during its application window, which remained open until April 1, 2026. Proposals were evaluated by the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre, acting as the Project Management Agency.
Following the assessment, the Executive Committee cleared 58 companies in two phases – 20 entities in March and 38 in April. Together, these firms have pledged a combined recycling capacity of around 850 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA) and an investment of nearly ₹5,000 crore.
The selected companies span key segments such as battery recycling, e-waste processing, and recovery of valuable materials from industrial waste, reflecting growing industry interest in building a robust recycling ecosystem.
The government said the next phase of the scheme will focus on project execution, where eligible entities will receive financial support based on their progress in developing recycling capacity and commencing operations.
