New Delhi, Nov 11: The Centre has prohibited the export of lithium-ion battery black mass and other specified battery waste with immediate effect, seeking to retain materials that can support domestic recycling and the processing of critical minerals. The restriction covers waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, as well as spent batteries falling under the specified category.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under the Ministry of Commerce, announced the change through a notification dated November 11, amending the export policy for the product listed under ITC (HS) Code 85491400.
The DGFT has changed the export classification from ‘Free’ to ‘Prohibited’ until further orders. The restriction applies to unsorted waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators that do not contain lead, cadmium or mercury, including lithium-ion battery black mass.
The amendment has been issued under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. The notification also states that transitional arrangements under Para 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 will apply.
The move comes as the government seeks to strengthen domestic capacity to recover and process materials from used batteries and reduce dependence on overseas supplies of critical mineral products.
The export restriction follows the Union Cabinet’s approval last week of a ₹2,814-crore capital expenditure support scheme to promote critical mineral processing. The scheme will run for five years, from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Under the scheme, the government will provide capital subsidies covering 30 per cent of eligible investment for four proposed processing plants: two lithium plants, each with a minimum capacity of 30 kilotonnes, and two nickel plants, each with a minimum capacity of 50 kilotonnes.
The maximum capital support will be capped at ₹500 crore for each lithium beneficiary and ₹900 crore for each nickel beneficiary, according to an official statement.
The scheme aims to expand domestic processing capabilities, increase value addition within the country, reduce import dependence and develop the critical minerals value chain.
India currently relies substantially on imports for refined intermediates and high-purity materials. Domestic beneficiation and processing infrastructure for critical minerals, including lithium, nickel and cobalt, remains at a nascent stage.
The export prohibition and the proposed capital support scheme form part of the government’s efforts to strengthen domestic access to battery-related materials and develop processing capacity for minerals used in critical industries.
