Chennai: US-based startup Bridge Green Upcycle has inaugurated a critical mineral recovery plant for lithium-ion batteries in Chennai, with an annual processing capacity of 7,200 tonnes. Located in Gummidipoondi, the facility will process end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing scrap across various chemistries, recovering valuable materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese, copper, and graphite.
Government Recognition and Support
The plant has been selected under the Union government’s critical mineral recycling incentive scheme, making it the only facility in Tamil Nadu among the first cohort chosen on April 30. This recognition underscores the plant's role in India's strategic push for self-reliance in critical minerals.
Investment and Capacity Expansion Plans
Balakrishnan Iyer, founder and chief executive of Bridge Green, stated that the company plans to invest between Rs 500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore over the next five years. The current plant is expected to reach full capacity by the end of this year. In the next phase, the company aims to manufacture refined critical mineral salts such as lithium carbonate, nickel sulfate, manganese sulfate, and cobalt sulfate, with commissioning targeted by the end of 2028. The expansion will also include a second-life battery plant.
Funding and Technology
Bridge Green has raised approximately $10 million to date and is in discussions to raise an additional $20 million from institutional investors and early-stage private equity firms in India and the US. The company has developed proprietary technology for battery life extension and mineral extraction, positioning itself as a key player in the circular economy.
Market Focus and Opportunities
The company plans to cater to both export and domestic markets, targeting applications in batteries, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, defence, and aerospace. It will also supply second-life battery systems to data centres and industrial users. Iyer highlighted the potential of the recently signed US-India critical minerals supply chain framework, stating, “The domestic demand exists, though battery-grade salt offtake will rise further as cell manufacturing matures. Potential export markets include the US, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The framework is a significant opportunity for us as a US-India company.”
