Recycling Industry Calls For Improved Safety Standards In Battery Recycling Industry
A gas leak at BatX Energies‘ battery recycling plant in Sikandrabad, Ghaziabad, that claimed two lives and left another worker critically injured has brought renewed focus on safety gaps in India’s rapidly expanding battery recycling industry. Industry leaders are now calling for urgent reforms, including stringent safety regulations, mandatory audits, and better enforcement of existing norms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The battery recycling sector, crucial for India’s clean energy ambitions, is witnessing rapid growth, with lithium-ion battery recycling projected to reach a market size of USD 1 billion by 2025. However, experts warn that without proper safety mechanisms, the sector risks becoming a hazardous industry for workers and the environment.
Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) stressed the urgent need for comprehensive safety regulations to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. The industry body called for stringent safety protocols, certification processes, safe transportation and storage of used batteries, and the adoption of global best practices.
“We at MRAI always emphasize responsible recycling. Safety and environmental sustainability are equally important to us. We call on the industry to align best practices with academia and the government to ensure recycling is done safely and sustainably. We hope that any safety incidents in the sector will raise awareness among companies to strictly follow safety and environmental standards. Responsible recycling is crucial to protect the lives of workers as much as the planet,” said Pramod Shinde, Head of Communication, MRAI.
With the rise in lithium-ion battery usage across electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, concerns are growing over inadequate safety measures. Industry leaders are advocating for mandatory standards at every stage of a battery’s life cycle, particularly at the end-of-life stage.
Safety challenges in the sector have been amplified by the lack of clear guidelines from regulatory authorities. In the absence of stringent regulations, battery storage, transportation, and handling remain largely unregulated, particularly in the informal sector, where incidents of battery fires often go unreported.
“Safety is an integral part of the battery industry. Lithium-ion batteries can explode and pose a fire hazard, but there are no clear guidelines from CPCB on how to safely store and transport them. This leads to crude and unsafe practices, especially in the informal sector, where battery fires occur frequently but are not documented. Stronger safety standards for storage, transportation, and permitting requirements are needed to address this issue,” said Gaurav Dolwani, CEO and Founder of LICO.
“There need to be standards at every stage of a battery’s life cycle, particularly at the end of life. This should apply to both process and products. Recycling is at a nascent stage, and it is very important that we ensure discipline for the long-term health of the industry,” said Pratyush Sinha, Vice President, LOHUM and a member of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Committee on battery recycling.
Industry stakeholders are also pushing for stricter workplace safety norms to ensure that employees handling hazardous materials are protected. Many argue that safety should not be viewed merely as a compliance requirement but as a fundamental commitment to worker welfare.
“We are deeply saddened, and our thoughts are with those affected by this incident at one of our responsible industry participants. Such incidents can happen to anyone and are a cause of worry for every corporate board. But it is a grim reminder that safety must always come first, especially in industries dealing with hazardous materials. State authorities must audit to curb unorganized treatment of waste by unsafe establishments and put in place Standard Operating Procedures urgently needed for battery shredding operations. It is our collective responsibility to build a safer, more secure industry for all,” said Bhuwan Purohit, Whole-Time Director, Rubamin.
The battery recycling industry plays a crucial role in reducing electronic waste and supporting a circular economy. However, industry leaders stress that the growth of this sector must be accompanied by the highest safety standards to protect workers and the environment.
As India aims to position itself as a leader in battery recycling, ensuring worker safety and regulatory compliance will be critical. Industry stakeholders are now urging policymakers to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and promote responsible recycling practices to prevent future tragedies.
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