Projects are also expected to demonstrate effective use of technologies for logistics, sorting, collection and discharging of end-of-life batteries. This should involve the informal sector (i.e. end users, collection points, sales channels) and include the following two areas:

• Development of innovative and digitalised waste collection systems towards zero-risk to improve quantity, quality, safety of the stored End of Life batteries
• Safe, fast, cost-efficient ways for large-scale discharging/deactivation End of Life batteries (both damaged and scraps), anticipating the development for new chemistries.

Projects are furthermore expected to assess the environmental impact of the piloted innovations in the recycling processes through Life Cycle Analysis.

Projects to be aligned with the missions, policies and priorities in the area of battery recycling, in both the regions (India and the EU). On the Indian side, alignment with relevant regulatory and strategic frameworks is expected, such as the Battery Waste Management Rules (2022) and the National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage. EU projects are expected to build upon the activities of past and ongoing recycling-related projects under the BATT4EU partnership, as well as progress being made on the implementation of the Battery Passport. Projects are furthermore expected to be in line with the Batteries Regulation[1] (in particular with sections referring to recycling efficiency) and the Safe and Sustainable by Design guidelines[2].

The exploitation of results, including IPR, should be appropriately addressed in the proposal.

Joint work should benefit from the Indian and European experience in battery recycling. Aligned projects should have the same start date, the same duration, same targets, and must show clearly how the coordination among them will bring added scientific value. To ensure a project implementation that reflects a genuine EU-Indian cooperation, aligned projects should involve properly coordinated research activities between EU and India in the jointly developed research plan of the two coordinated projects. Independent projects, which are not aligned, will be considered ineligible. Proposals will include detailed explanations about tasks and effort of the coordinated proposal as a whole and cross-references to the other part of the proposal.

The coordinated call aims at exploiting synergies between India and Europe in terms of scientific expertise and resources in topics related to battery recycling by implementing coordinated projects. Potential areas for collaboration (i.e. the coordinated part of the call) could include (but are not limited to) demonstration of more flexible and adaptable recycling processes capable of treating mixed battery chemistries; innovative & digitalised waste collection systems; advanced sorting systems; active monitoring systems for high level of safety; safe, fast and cost-efficient discharging/deactivation (gen4 included); prediction for second-life use of batteries, diagnostics including State of Health.

The topic is within the scope of the EU-India Strategic Partnership and the EU-India Trade and Technology Council in relation to battery recycling technologies. For the purposes of this topic, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Government of India has made the required funding available for the coordinated projects of the Indian side. A balanced effort and matched budget between Europe and India regarding the two coordinated calls are expected.