Overview of Lead Acid Battery Recycling

A lead acid battery is commonly known as a type of rechargeable battery that tends to have a low energy density, despite which they are used extensively as they are able to supply high surge currents. This form of the oldest rechargeable battery is further available at a very inexpensive price as compared to newer technologies and is often used in various automotive vehicles, such as cars, buses, trucks, etc., all over the world. They are a pollution-free source of energy and are thus used across the globe; however, it does have a harmful composition whose prolonged exposure can cause adverse effects.

It is the accessibility and low cost attached to these lead acid batteries that make them a go-to option, which has led to a substantial increase in their demand, especially for motor vehicles. Consequently, the use of Lead Acid Batteries (LAB) has continuously risen, and along with it, the recycling industry has also grown.

Need for Lead Acid Battery Recycling

Due to the rapid industrialisation and technological developments taking place at lightning speed in India, the dependence on batteries is increasing at an exponential speed as well. With this rampant usage of batteries, particularly lead acid batteries, there has been a substantial increase in the environmental and overall health concerns of society as well, which has necessitated the discussion around the need for undertaking lead acid battery recycling in the country. More than 50 per cent of the world's demand for lead is being met by recycling lead.

In the era of automation and electrification, the primary motive behind lead acid battery recycling is to handle the disposal of the hazardous materials found in these batteries in an environmentally sound manner. Despite the availability of lead for recycling, a developing country like ours is still heavily dependent on imports from countries like the USA, Australia, etc. However, the current prevalent system profoundly relies on unlicensed and unregistered scrap dealers, which severely adulterates the environment and causes several health hazards.

Just to give you a gist, as per several studies, the water discharged from these plants and units contains 615 times more lead than is allowed and permissible under Indian regulations, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. The adverse health effects caused by these toxic emissions can be fatal for human health and thus, there is an impending need to regulate the lead acid battery recycling industry and the government has been introducing rules and regulations to do the same, which necessitates compliance on the part of these recyclers.

What does the Data say?

There is an increased demand for lead batteries as the same is being used in almost every sector, like construction, telecommunication, solar power systems, the emerging automobile sector, electric vehicles, etc. There has been a substantial increase in the lead acid battery recycling businesses as well, such that this industry now employs 6-7 lakh people in India.

Almost 85 per cent of the lead extracted ends up being used in the batteries and, in fact, has one of the highest recycling rates. Studies suggest that the majority of the lead is actually produced from recycling rather than actually mining, as recycling lead merely uses 25 per cent of the energy as opposed to ore extraction. The quality of the recycled lead produced is no different or less than the lead produced from ore extraction.

As per the research conducted by the Indian Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the Indian Lead Acid Battery Market was valued at around USD 4 billion in 2020 and is further expected to grow at around 13 per cent during the next half a decade and with a day-by-day increase in demand for energy, this industry is expected to grow even further. In the solar and wind power industries alone, lead acid batteries are expected to account for 75 per cent due to their low cost and high performance. Even with the increased demand for electrification in the transport industry, which is expected to increase up to 10.5 million units of EVs, the demand for lead-acid batteries is going to increase.

As stated earlier 85 per cent of the lead produced is used to produce lead acid batteries and the market requirement for the same has been increasing at lightning speed, the need to recycle the same is naturally going to increase at the same rate in order to meet the increased demands. In fact, the annual recycling market in India is expected to be around USD 1000 million by 2030.

These statistics and the research are testimony to the fact that the lead acid battery recycling industry in India offers lucrative opportunities, and with its significant share of the market, it rightly warrants essential monitoring. Therefore, investing in setting up a lead acid battery recycling plant is going to serve you well in the future, both in terms of environmental and economic viability.

Incentives for Setting Up a Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plant

Recycling Lead-acid batteries is highly profitable because of the high recyclability of components used in the battery. The major components of lead-acid batteries are lead (alloy) from grids and poles of the battery, electrode paste (lead oxide and lead sulphate), plastic (polypropylene) and sulphuric acid. This secondary lead is highly recyclable but requires purification to remove impurities before it can be used. Huge demands for lead are met through this secondary lead as it is cheaper than actually mining lead, and the former requires less than 25 per cent energy as opposed to the ore extraction. 

Moreover, recycling is far less polluting than mining the mineral, and with proper pollution control measures, it can be further minimised. The process of lead acid battery recycling involves smelting and refining the lead and the lead paste from dead and discarded batteries. Hazardous chemicals present are neutralised and disposed of or reused for other purposes. For instance, sulphuric acid is neutralised with sodium hydroxide and its by-product, i.e., sodium sulphate, is used to make fertiliser and detergents. The outer plastic body in Batteries is also recyclable. Therefore, almost all the components can be reclaimed after disassembling the battery and draining the acid. 

Required machinery for these functions is also readily available in the market, which makes the process smooth and safe. Battery Crusher, hydro separator (for separating lead from plastic), Rotary furnace, lead refining unit (to purify lead into lead ingots), pollution Control machine for the furnace etc., are some requirements for a mechanised lead acid battery recycling plant. Secondary lead and plastic from the battery can be recycled into new batteries or sold as raw materials for other industries. A few other recyclable wastes are also obtained from lead acid battery recycling, like ebonite, glass, etc.

Nevertheless, we acknowledge that comprehending all necessray requirements concerning a lead acid battery recycling business can be challenging, and their compliance will require expert knowledge and professional guidance, especially when certain obligations fall beyond your field of expertise. Therefore, businesses and enterprises involved might feel the need to outsource these compliance services to avoid any inadvertent failures or mistakes on their part. 

Challenges Faced While Setting Up a Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plant

While the wave of enthusiasm for environmental and social concerns can be experienced across industries, this does not mean achieving it all is a cakewalk. The recycling industry faces numerous challenges and is still far from its target goals due to the several reservations and challenges faced by business decision-makers. 

The gap between rhetoric and real action is too wide, and it is only widening due to the following challenges: 

Lack of Knowledge and Expertise

The apprehension regarding hidden or potential risks associated with your recycling operations can prove to be immensely critical, especially during the initial stages of business. In addition to this, there are so many laws, rules, and regulations to comply with, and with relentless amendments and changes, businesses often find themselves wrestling with these, and thus they struggle to keep up.

Resource Constraints

Starting a new business venture requires human resources, specialised tools, and technologies and demands significant time that may not be at every individual's or business's disposal. The budding businesses in this industry need proper guidance and direction as there are already a plethora of unlicensed and unregulated ventures that are prone to be shut down by the concerned authorities, so the right guidance is necessary to avoid phoney compliances.

Complexity of Laws and Regulations

Rules and regulations tend to vary widely by industry and region. Complying with these and warranting adherence to the prescribed ethical and sustainable practices can be cumbersome, especially when handling national and international supply chains. As discussed earlier, these regulations and compliances often get updated and amended with time, and it becomes even more challenging to stay abreast of everything.

It is in light of these challenges and many more that various organisations and enterprises choose to outsource the registration services to experts who have the pertinent expertise and the resources to conduct thorough assessments and help them maintain long-term sustainability and growth.

Hiring our consultants, who have vast experience and knowledge in this field, can help you navigate through this complex landscape, ensuring timely compliance. We provide customised solutions to your individual problems so that you don't have to worry about them.

Benefits of Setting Up a Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plant

We have discussed a few challenges that you may come across on your journey towards setting up a lead acid battery recycling plant; however, there are numerous benefits attached to it as well that make it all worthwhile. Some of these benefits are:

Addressing Environmental Concerns

Even though the lead acid battery does not cause environmental pollution in the traditional sense like conventional fuel-based energy sources, the composition of these batteries is such that prolonged exposure to them can cause serious adverse environmental effects. Improper disposal of lead acid batteries into landfills without proper treatment leads to the leaching of toxic chemicals, such as cadmium, mercury and lead, into the ground, thereby polluting the soil and the underground water, which eventually enter our food chain, causing severe health hazards.

Addressing Health Concerns

Another benefit of indulging in responsible lead acid battery recycling is the fact that they are composed of highly toxic metals and sulphuric acid, which is a highly corrosive substance, and these components are classified under hazardous substances. Direct contact with these may cause skin burns, irritation in the eye membranes, adverse effects on the respiratory system, etc.

Not just this, even low-level lead exposure can be risky for your health and may cause symptoms like impaired cognitive processes, impaired learning, impaired nervous system functions, fatigue, and in worst-case scenarios, may even lead to irreversible mental retardation, convulsions, coma or even death. Thus, it becomes even more imperative to invest in proper, effective and safe handling and disposal of these batteries and lead acid battery recycling plant is one such pragmatic solution.

Numerous Recycling Opportunities

There are a lot of opportunities for recyclers when it comes to lead acid batteries, as almost 100 per cent of the lead used in these batteries is recyclable. This recycled lead can be used continuously as the future performance capacity remains nearly unaffected. This recycled lead can be sold to companies making new batteries as well. 

Not just lead, the polypropylene plastic and other materials used can also be crushed and melted in order to be recycled and new battery casings can be made out of these. For instance, the used battery electrolyte can be processed to make sodium sulphate, which can be used in laundry detergents, textile and glass manufacturing, or can be used again to make battery cases, etc. 

Therefore, more than 80 per cent of the lead acid battery components can be recycled and reused, thereby creating a number of opportunities and markets for the recycler. 

Registration Process for Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plant

In 2020, the government drafted the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2020 which superseded the Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001. As per the existing rules, the owner of the plant must apply for registration to the Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) or an agency designated by submitting information in Form VI along with required documents for the grant of registration or renewal of registration of their Recycling Plant. 

The approving authority will decide on the application for registration within 90 days of receipt of the complete application form and necessary documents; however, the Joint Secretary, MoEF & CC or any officer designated by the Ministry may refuse the registration if there appears to be a discrepancy in the application. 

Submission of Document Application in Form IV of the Rules and all necessary documents will have to be sent and addressed to Joint Secretary, MoEF & CC or any officer designated by the Ministry.

Document Scrutiny and Inspection of the Plant Joint Secretary, MoEF & CC or any officer designated by the Ministry will ensure that the recyclers possess appropriate facilities, technical capabilities, and equipment to recycle used batteries and dispose of hazardous waste generated in the process.

Issue of registration The Approving Authority will decide on the application for registration within 90 days of receipt of the Completed application. Application complete in all respect will be granted registration for two years subject to the conditions mentioned.

Validity of the Registration and Renewal

The registration will be valid for two years. Application for renewal must be made six months before the expiry of the registration in form VI, which shall be examined on merits and approved by the Joint Secretary, MoEF & CC or any officer authorised by the Ministry or an agency designated by it.

Documents Required for Lead Acid Battery Recycling Plant Registration

• GST Registration
• ID Proof
• Address Proof
• Valid PAN Card
• Copy of the valid Consent Certificate from the concerned SPCB.
• Copy of the valid Authorisation under Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989.
• Copy of valid Certificate of Registration with District Industries Centre.
• Proof of installed capacity issued by SPCB or District Industries Centre.
• NOC from concerned local authorities.

Responsibilities of Lead Acid Battery Recycler

Registered recyclers involved in Lead Acid Battery Recycling must ensure the following:

• To make sure that they comply with the applicable rules and regulations concerning hazardous waste management. 
• To implement hazard control measures to prevent lead exposure for the workforce through Personal Protective Equipment, medical surveillance and health insurance.
• To ensure strict compliance with the terms and conditions of registration.
• Submit annual returns as per Form VII to the concerned SPCB.
• Mark "Recycled" on lead recovered by reprocessing.
• Show records relating to used batteries, sources, quantities and metal yield for inspection if demanded by the SPCB.
• To furnish quarterly returns in Form 4 pertaining to the information on the quantity of waste battery collected, recycled quantities, and compliance percentage as per recovery targets provided under the rules, and this quarterly return must be filed by the end of the month succeeding the end of the quarter.
• To take measures to create public awareness through publications, advertisements, and posters to make the consumers aware of the potential hazards of toxins and heavy metal pollution or informal discarding/selling batteries in the informal sector.

Our Services

Our package provides a wide assortment of services for your peculiar business needs. These are:

Assistance with the Registration/Renewal Process

Filing an application to get registration for starting a lead acid battery recycling plant may not seem so difficult; however, it is easier said than done. The rules clearly provide that the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests or any officer authorised by the Ministry or an agency designated by it may, refuse to grant registration or in worse circumstances, it may even cancel or suspend a registration granted under these rules, if such a recycler fails to comply with any of the conditions prescribed for registration, or with any other provisions of the Act or rules made. Therefore, to lower the risk of rejection or cancellation, it is advisable to hire professionals. Our team of experts can positively ensure that your business complies with all these requirements and can help you navigate through the entire process.

Assistance with Filing Appeal in Case of Rejection/Cancellation

As discussed, there is a chance of your application for registration getting cancelled, or if you are registered already, there is a chance it may get cancelled if you fail to comply with certain rules. In such a scenario, the law provides you an opportunity to file an appeal against such an order from the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment & Forests or any officer authorised by the Ministry. Our team of legal experts can support you with that as well, just in case your application meets such an unfortunate fate. It becomes quite imperative in such a scenario to file a timely appeal, as per the specified rules and regulations; otherwise, the same may not be entertained as well.

Documentation Assistance

Running a lead-acid battery recycling plant requires compliance with various regulations and laws, which involves a ton of paperwork. As a layperson, you are bound to commit an error under the weight of red-tapism. Enterclimate assists your Battery Recycling Business in obtaining the registration for Lead Acid Battery Recycling, arranging all documents required by concerned authorities, and meeting all required formalities. Let our team of experts worry about it and handle the entire process of documentation and issues concerned to further ensure timely submissions.

Legal Assistance

Proper and effective handling or disposal of batteries comes under the ambit of various rules and regulations that are in force. Businesses and Recyclers need to ensure compliance with the same to avoid any adverse consequences in terms of fines or pecuniary penalties. Our experienced teams of professionals and experts from various domains ensure that all your legal compliances of authorisation, licencing and registration needs are provided easily at the same place.

Other Key Services:

In addition to the services mentioned above, Enterclimate can help you with the following various services that are provided by a team of field experts, such as:

Expert Guidance

Enterclimate experts can guide you in finding apt solutions for your problems that can enable your sustainability growth as they hold years of experience, are very well aware of the obstacles that you might face, and are well conversant with the best practices predominant amongst your business counterparts. Enterclimate has the best-in-class team of experts who promise swift redressal to any customer queries and Assistance throughout the registration process.

Customised Solutions

At Enterclimate, we understand that one size does not fit all, and your needs are special and explicit, and so are our resolutions. Our all-inclusive plans and strategic decisions are prudently curated for your peculiar business needs and goals to help you tread on the path of endless growth. We provide a swift and hassle-free experience. 

One-Stop Solution

Let Enterclimate become your One-stop Solution platform to manage all your business needs; from decoding the eligibilities to documentation to filing timely reports and plans, we will take care of everything for you, so that you can focus on your core business operations. 

Real-time Updates

With Enterclimate by your side, you don't have to run from pillar to post. You can stay abreast of everything that is going on through our interface. Our dedicated staff ensures that our valued clients keep getting real-time updates and are kept in the loop the whole time.

Why us?

Enterclimate has been at the forefront of assisting its esteemed clients and has helped them in formalising and achieving their recycling targets successfully. Allow us to help you achieve the same. We have a profound engagement in environmental services and have a well-established presence globally. 

Our bespoke team of experts has showcased a proven track record of delivering 99.7% proficiency in helping our clients obtain recycling registration across sectors. Our team has extensive relevant experience and in-depth knowledge, and they are dedicated to contributing to your business development and, at the same time, helping you discharge your environmental and social obligations, which tend to get overshadowed by innumerable legal and fiscal obligations. 

We help commercial entities not only kick-start their business operations but also design growth strategies while ensuring their environmental and social compliances are met, which are often overlooked by them in their struggles to stay afloat in the industry. We are well-resourced to offer world-class strategies and insights for all your business needs and provide you with innovative solutions and approaches that can contribute to your long-term sustainability and economic viability. 

Getting Started

Start your lead acid battery recycling business today with a single step by reaching out to us at 7838390340, and we will assign a dedicated expert to discuss your requirements and clear your doubts.

We are eager to help you tread on this path and help you flourish in your industry domain. Connect with us today, and let's build an environmentally and socially responsible future together.