Centre Takes Major Decision to Ban Battery Waste Exports

The Central Government has taken a significant step towards strengthening India's battery recycling ecosystem by prohibiting the export of lithium-ion battery black mass. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, issued a notification on November 10, changing the export policy for the specified category of battery waste and scrap from 'Free' to 'Prohibited' with immediate effect. The restriction applies to the notified category of unsorted battery waste that does not contain lead, cadmium or mercury.

Black mass, a powder-like material obtained by shredding used lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing waste, contains valuable minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. The government aims to ensure that these materials are recycled and refined within India, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening the domestic electric vehicle and battery supply chains. The move is also expected to improve raw material availability for local recyclers and encourage further investment in the sector.