Urban mining gains traction as NavPrakriti explores expansion in critical minerals recycling

Summary

• Expansion plans: NavPrakriti is exploring capacity expansion in battery recycling and critical mineral recovery.
• Policy support: India’s National Critical Mineral Mission aims to boost domestic processing of strategic minerals.
• Circular strategy: Industry players are increasingly focusing on closed-loop recycling of lithium-ion batteries and manufacturing scrap.

NEW DELHI, April 21, 2026 — India’s push toward securing critical minerals is accelerating, with recycling firms such as NavPrakriti evaluating expansion opportunities in battery material recovery.

The company, which operates in the battery recycling and circular economy space, is assessing the potential to scale its refining and recovery capabilities as demand for lithium, cobalt, and nickel continues to rise alongside electric vehicle adoption.

Moving beyond “black mass”

India’s recycling ecosystem has traditionally focused on producing “black mass,” an intermediate material derived from used lithium-ion batteries.

However, the next phase of growth is expected to involve:

• Advanced hydrometallurgical refining
• Production of battery-grade materials
• Integration with domestic cell manufacturing supply chains

Companies like NavPrakriti are positioning themselves to move up this value chain, although specific project timelines and capacities remain under development.

Policy momentum in critical minerals

The government’s National Critical Mineral Mission is designed to reduce India’s dependence on imports for key battery materials.

The initiative focuses on:

• Domestic exploration and processing
• Recycling and recovery infrastructure
• Strategic international partnerships

While industry participants may benefit from these policy tailwinds, project-specific approvals and incentive allocations are still evolving.

Shift toward circular supply chains

Battery recycling firms are increasingly adopting closed-loop models, which involve:

• Collecting end-of-life batteries
• Processing manufacturing scrap
• Supplying recovered materials back into production

This approach helps stabilize raw material supply and reduces exposure to volatile global commodity markets.

Why this matters

• Supply security: Recycling can reduce reliance on imported critical minerals
• Cost efficiency: Recovering metals domestically can lower long-term input costs
• Sustainability: Recycling is significantly less energy-intensive than primary mining
• EV ecosystem: A strong recycling base is essential for scaling India’s battery manufacturing

FAQs

Q1. What is “urban mining”?

It refers to recovering valuable metals from used products like batteries, electronics, and industrial scrap.

Q2. Is India self-sufficient in critical minerals?

No. India currently depends heavily on imports for lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

Q3. Are large-scale recycling refineries operational in India?

The sector is growing, but large-scale battery-grade refining capacity is still developing.