We Are Set To Expand Battery Recycling: Anupam Kumar (MiniMines)

We Are Set To Expand Battery Recycling: Anupam Kumar (MiniMines)

How did the journey of MiniMines start? 

We founded the company in 2021. I started the company with other co-founder Anupam Kumar and Arvind Bhardwaj. We were driven by a vision to tackle the dual challenges of high electric vehicle (EV) costs, lack of critical minerals, massive import dependency worth 7 billion USD, and environmental sustainability. With our backgrounds in chemical engineering, metal recovery, nanotechnology, and cell manufacturing, we combined our expertise to develop a solution that addresses the critical issues of lithium-ion battery recycling and the components of lithium-ion batteries.

In 2021, we pooled our resources and started MiniMines. Our solution was a groundbreaking Hybrid-HydrometallurgyTM process that efficiently recycles lithium-ion batteries, extracting lithium, nickel, and cobalt with over 96% purity. This process is not only highly efficient but also environmentally friendly, using only one-tenth of the carbon footprint compared to traditional methods and saving approximately 200,000 tonnes of water per tonne of batteries recycled.

How has the firm been going till now? 

Our innovative approach quickly gained recognition. We received a $0.5 million grant from Oil India Limited, and our 1.5-tonne pilot unit in Bengaluru was validated by Niti Aayog. Our process has demonstrated the potential to extract enough lithium-ion, nickel, and cobalt from spent batteries in India to power up to 6.6 million EVs, highlighting the immense impact of our work.

Now, we are constantly seeking ways to improve and expand our operations. Our immediate goal is to scale up our recycling capacity of 10,000 TPA and establish a full-scale facility capable of processing larger volumes of battery waste. Additionally, we aim to partner with battery manufacturers and producers to fulfill their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations, ensuring comprehensive lifecycle management, second-life batteries and recycling of batteries.

How do most of the Indian battery recycling firms recycle lithium and how MiniMines stand out? 

In India, many battery recycling firms rely on traditional methods that often involve high energy consumption and significant environmental impact. These methods, including pyrometallurgical and mechanical processes, tend to be less efficient in recovering pure metals and generate substantial waste. At MiniMines, we stand out through our innovative Hybrid-HydrometallurgyTM process. 

This technique not only achieves over 96% purity in extracting lithium, nickel, and cobalt but also significantly reduces carbon emissions and water usage. The process involves extracting, separating, and purifying metals from spent batteries with minimal waste generation and water reuse, making it far more sustainable and efficient. This sustainable approach allows us to create a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries, ensuring valuable materials are efficiently recovered and reused. 

How do you see the fate of other battery technologies?

While lithium-ion batteries currently dominate the EV market, other battery technologies are being explored to address specific challenges. Solid-state batteries, for instance, promise higher energy densities and improved safety by replacing liquid electrolytes with solid ones. Lithium-sulphur batteries offer the potential for even greater energy storage and reduced costs due to the abundance of sulphur. However, these technologies face significant hurdles, such as scalability, cost, and longevity. One major point to highlight is that lithium-ion batteries will always be significant due to their energy density and packing density. The perfect energy-to-volume ratio they offer is critical for many end-use applications and their performance, making it difficult for them to be replaced where these ratios are essential.

As research progresses, these alternative batteries may complement or eventually compete with lithium-ion batteries, but for now, lithium-ion remains the most viable option for widespread EV adoption due to its proven performance and established manufacturing infrastructure.

What is MiniMine’s recycling capacity now?

Currently, MiniMines operates a 1500-tonne pilot unit in Bengaluru. This facility is designed to efficiently process and recycle lithium-ion batteries, extracting valuable metals with high purity levels while minimizing environmental impact. The pilot unit serves as a proof of concept for MiniMines’ innovative recycling technology and showcases its potential to scale up operations. The company aims to expand this capacity significantly shortly, leveraging its successful pilot to establish larger facilities capable of meeting the growing demand for recycled battery materials in the EV industry.

What are your future plans for MiniMines?

One of our primary goals is to scale up our operations significantly. Currently, our pilot facility in Bengaluru has demonstrated the viability and efficiency of our patented hybrid-hydrometallurgy process. We plan to establish a full-scale recycling facility capable of processing larger volumes of spent lithium-ion batteries. This expansion will enable us to meet the growing demand for recycled materials as the EV market in India continues to expand. We are also exploring further innovations in recycling technologies and seeking additional funding to support our growth and enhance our impact on the EV sector and environmental sustainability.