This post is a part of the Early Stage Climate Startup series from Climafix 2024
Highlight
- Li-Circle uses AI technology to streamline the recycling process for lithium-ion batteries, equipped with a 1020 MTPA recycling plant in Karnataka.
1. Value Proposition
- Recovering Critical Materials: Through proprietary mechanical and chemical recycling processes, Li-Circle recovers 90-95% of high-value materials like nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese from end-of-life batteries.
2. Pain Points
- Critical Mineral Shortages: Li-Circle addresses global shortages of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel. By recovering these materials, it reduces dependence on mining and import costs.
- Environmental Risks: Batteries can leach toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium into soil and water systems. Li-Circle ensures safe, compliant processing that mitigates these hazards.
3. Climate Impact
- Li-Circle’s recycling process cuts carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to other carbon-intensive methods, preventing harmful battery materials from being incinerated or ending up in landfills.
4. Current & Future Target Segments
- Current Target Segments: EV OEMs, consumer electronics, energy storage systems, local market dealers and refurbishers.
- Future Target Segments: Plans for future scaling include expanding reverse logistics mechanisms and exploring international markets for LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) scrap recycling to produce Precursor Cathode Active Material (CAM).
5. USPs
- End-to-End Recycling: Li-Circle offers a fully integrated process from battery collection and disassembly to the recovery of critical materials, using low-GHG emission and low-energy recycling processes.
- Scalable Business Model: Li-Circle operates an active plant with a capacity of 1,020 MTPA and aims to expand to 25,000 MTPA by 2027.
6. Team Profiles
- Santosh Kumar J (Founder & CEO): With experience in the lithium-ion battery supply chain, Santosh has expertise in sourcing, logistics, and end-of-life battery management.
- Dr. Debaraj Mishra (Director): A specialist in the global battery supply chain, Dr. Mishra ensures that Li-Circle’s recycled materials meet the highest international standards for reuse in electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems.
7. Startup Headquarters
- India: Bengaluru