NavPrakriti, a lithium-ion battery recycling and refurbishment company located in eastern India, has established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. This partnership aims to foster innovation, talent development, and technological progress in India’s battery and critical minerals sector, particularly as the country strives for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. The MoU will facilitate student internships, joint research projects, and skill development initiatives, allowing IIT Kharagpur students to gain practical experience at NavPrakriti’s advanced facilities, including its Serampore plant. The focus will be on technologies for battery material recovery and hydrometallurgical refining, which are crucial for supporting India’s National Critical Mineral Mission. Akhilesh Bagaria, Co-Founder of NavPrakriti, highlighted the significance of this collaboration in advancing battery recycling science and creating learning opportunities for future engineers. Avnish Bagaria, also a Co-Founder, emphasized the need for skilled talent to achieve energy self-reliance and sustainability in India. This partnership is set to play a pivotal role in shaping a future-ready workforce and unlocking new technological advancements in the battery sector.