NavPrakriti, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. The partnership aims to drive innovation, talent development and technological advancement in India’s growing battery and critical minerals ecosystem.

As India targets 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030 and net zero emissions, the need for battery recycling, resource circularity and skilled talent has become increasingly important. The NavPrakriti-IIT Kharagpur MoU will address these priorities through student internship programmes, joint research projects, skill development and capacity-building initiatives, and technological consulting projects focused on refining and refurbishment of end-of-life batteries.

Under the MoU, IIT Kharagpur students will receive hands-on training at NavPrakriti’s facilities, including its flagship Serampore plant, described as the largest and most advanced lithium-ion battery recycling facility in eastern India. The internship and training programmes will expose students to real industrial challenges and help them develop skills for the fast-evolving battery value chain.

The joint research initiatives will focus on technologies for battery material recovery, hydrometallurgical refining and chemical extraction, supporting India’s National Critical Mineral Mission. NavPrakriti is already recognised as eligible under the Mission for the extraction of cobalt, nickel and lithium.

Akhilesh Bagaria, Co-Founder, NavPrakriti, said, “Partnering with IIT Kharagpur is a proud milestone for us. By integrating our industrial experience with the academic excellence of IIT Kharagpur, we’re not just advancing the science of battery recycling but also creating unique learning opportunities for India’s next generation of engineers and innovators. This collaboration will help us accelerate the pace of research and deliver real, scalable impact.”

Skill development and capacity building are also central to the collaboration. By combining IIT Kharagpur’s research and academic expertise with NavPrakriti’s industry processes and scale, the partnership aims to create a strong talent pipeline for India’s energy transition. Technological consulting projects in battery refining and refurbishment will support innovation and faster deployment of sustainable solutions across the sector.

Avnish Bagaria, Co-Founder, NavPrakriti, said, “India’s journey to energy self-reliance and sustainability requires bold ideas and skilled talent. Through this MoU, we are investing in both. By nurturing student talent and fostering collaborative research, we believe we can shape a future-ready workforce and unlock new technological breakthroughs for the nation’s battery and critical minerals ecosystem.”

The collaboration comes as India’s lithium-ion battery demand is projected to rise from 4 GWh in 2023 to nearly 139 GWh by 2035. By bringing together NavPrakriti’s industrial expertise and IIT Kharagpur’s research capabilities, the partnership aims to deliver outcomes for students, industry and the environment while supporting responsible innovation, sustainable growth and environmental stewardship in India’s energy sector.