EU, India collabs advancing EV battery recycling startups

In a move to bolster electric vehicle (EV) initiatives, the European Union (EU) and India have forged a partnership aimed at fostering startups engaged in the development of battery recycling technologies for EVs.

This collaboration is designed to enhance cooperation between Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and startups from both Europe and India operating in the realm of clean and green technologies.

The initiative, a part of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), was unveiled during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, held in New Delhi in April 2022.

Marc Lemaitre, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, expressed, “The match-making event is a step ahead to unlock innovative possibilities leading to a green and circular economy. We encourage innovators from the EU to seize this opportunity and explore potential collaborations with their Indian counterparts.”

As part of this endeavor, a 'Matchmaking Event' is scheduled for June, where 12 startups, six from each region, will be selected to pitch their ideas. Following the presentations, six finalists, three from each region, will be chosen and granted opportunities to visit India and the EU, respectively.

“We are dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment where sustainability and innovation form the cornerstone of a flourishing circular economy,” remarked Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the government.

The deadline for startups to submit Expressions of Interest (EoI) is April 30, with the TTC poised to enhance EU-India bilateral trade, which reached historical highs in 2022 with 120 billion euros worth of goods traded. Additionally, digital products and services valued at 17 billion euros were traded during the same period.

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