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ACHIEVING NET-ZERO CLOSING THE LOOP
Energy transition needs multiple pathways & Remine India bags TDB funds for recycling of LIBs

co-existence of myriad technologies and e-waste

There is no silver bullet to achieve The Technology Development from US$3.79-bn in 2021. Currently,
net-zero, and the transition needs multi Board (TDB) has entered into an agree- 95% of LIBs end up in landfi lls, and
ple pathways to be adopted with co-exi- ment with Remine India Pvt. Ltd., for only 5% undergo recycling and reuse.
stence of myriad technologies in the setting up a commercial plant for re-
energy basket. While coal is projected cycling of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) The dominance of the informal sec-
to continue until the next two decades and electronic wastes (E-waste) using tor in the e-waste scenario has adverse
as the backbone of the Indian energy indigenous technology developed by environmental and economic implica-
system, net-zero is not possible without the Centre for Materials for Electronics tions. Effi cient and environmentally
substantial nuclear power and renew- Technology (CMET), Hyderabad. friendly recycling methods are impe-
able energy (RE) generation by 2070. rative to address the escalating issue of
The plant will be set up at SIIDCUL battery waste, mitigate migrant supply
These are some of the conclusions Industrial Area in Sitarganj (District of LIBs through landfi lling and inci- side risks related to critical elements,
of a recently released report titled Udham Singh Nagar), Uttarakhand. neration poses environmental and safety and reduce carbon footprints.
‘Synchronizing energy transitions towards concerns, highlighting the need for re-
possible Net-Zero for India: Affordable India’s emissions would range between of technologies for low-cost hydrogen TDB has pledged a fi nancial assis- cycling initiatives. The potential for “India is third in the world in terms
and clean energy for all.’ The report has 0.56 btCO and 1.0 btCO in 2070, and production. tance of Rs. 7.5-crore out of the total value creation through the retrieval of of e-waste generation and signifi cant
2
2
been prepared by IIM, Ahmedabad, as it is expected that this will be offset project cost of Rs. 15-crore. metals from spent LIBs has spurred efforts are required to curb the issue.
part of a study project sanctioned in through sequestration in forestry and Vital role for nuclear energy interest in recycling e-waste generated TDB supporting this initiative would
November 2021 by the Offi ce of the Prin- tree cover. Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI The escalating imports of e-waste by these batteries. help to engage informal recyclers to
cipal Scientifi c Adviser (PSA) to the Aayog, agreed with the premise that stemming from the disposal of spent connect with formal recyclers thereby
Government of India, with part-funding Large resources needed more RE penetration is needed with LIBs are driven by their growing util- The lithium-ion battery recycling contributing towards circular eco-
(one-third) from Nuclear Power Corpo- Prof. Ajay Sood, PSA to Govern- baseload energy source as nuclear. He isation in portable electronics, electric market size is projected to reach $14.89-bn nomy,” said Mr. Rajesh Kumar Pathak,
ration of India Ltd. (NPCIL). ment of India, noted that the transition emphasised that without nuclear energy, vehicles, and global renewable energy by 2030, with a Compound Annual Secretary, TDB, while speaking on the
pathways need large resources to. The the storage requirements for RE will be storage systems. However, the disposal Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21.6%, up occasion.
The report attempts to answer key report notes that fi nancial requirements very high to tackle the intermittency of
questions related to India’s energy tra- for the transition during 2020-2070 its supply. This will, in turn, enhance TRADE MEASURE
jectory such as: would be to the tune of Rs. 150-200- the dependence on critical minerals, DGTR recommends anti-dumping duty on sodium
 How much energy does India need lakh crore (about US$ 2-2.5-trillion, or which is not sustainable. He further
to achieve high value of Human US$40-50 bn/year), and a considerable added that for the nuclear sector, a tran- cyanide imports
Development Index (HDI) and path portion of this will need to come from sition is needed from large reactors to
ways to meet this need; international sources. Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), with The Directorate General of Trade facturing insecticides, dyes, pigments, declines and fi nancial losses, the autho-
 Energy mix projections until 2070 participation of industry. There is also a Remedies (DGTR) has recommen- bulk drugs, etc. rity said that examination of submissions
(declared net-zero target year); Dr. Anil Kakodkar, former Chair- need to promote alternate nuclear fuel ded imposition of anti-dumping duty from concerned parties and available
 Cost of electricity to the end-user; man, Atomic Energy Commission, options such as thorium to reduce on sodium cyanide (NaCN) imported According to information on the facts had been completed. It added that
 Carbon emissions until 2070; highlighted the need for development dependence on uranium import. from China, the European Union, Japan DGTR’s website, the authority initi- the domestic industry had to sell at losses
 Investments required for energy and Korea. The revised definitive ated an anti-dumping investigation on to increase its market share.
transitions towards net-zero at Asahi Songwon acquires balance anti-dumping duties on the import of March 31, 2023 based on an application
2070; and sodium cyanide, originating in or expor- fi led by the Hindustan Chemicals Com- The anti-dumping duties recom-
 Challenges and opportunities in RE 22% stake in Atlas Life Sciences ted from these countries, is for a period pany and United Phosphorous Ltd. mended are: Hebei Chengxin Co. Ltd.
integration, critical minerals, carbon cap- of fi ve years. (China) $286-per tonne; Other Chinese
ture utilisation and storage (CCUS), Asahi Songwon Colors has acquired ing in ALSPL has increased from 78% Stating that the domestic industry producers $554-per tonne; Lucebni
natural gas, ethanol, and hydrogen. the remaining 6,60,000 shares, i.e. 22% (pre-acquisition) to 100% (post acqui- Sodium cyanide is used in the had suffered injury despite capacity zavoday Draslovka as $13-per tonne;
stake, in Atlas Life Sciences (ALSPL) sition) and ALSPL has become wholly extraction of gold and silver from their expansion, as evidenced by several fac- Other EU producers $230-per tonne; Japan
As per the report, which was on March 26, 2024. Pursuant to this owned subsidiary of Asahi Songwon respective ores, in electroplating and the tors, including high volumes of dumped $447-per tonne; and South Korea $413-
released on April 3, 2024 in New Delhi, acquisition, the company’s sharehold- Colors. heat treatment of metals, and in manu- imports, suppressed prices, production per tonne.

154 Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 Chemical Weekly April 16, 2024 155

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