- Rocklink India establishes advanced recycling plant with 98% material recovery efficiency
- Facility integrates lithium battery recycling and rare earth magnet processing capabilities
Rocklink India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Germany-based Rocklink Group, has initiated operations at its first integrated recycling facility in India, marking a strategic expansion into advanced material recovery. Located in Uttar Pradesh’s Sikandrabad industrial zone, the facility represents a significant step toward strengthening circular economy practices in the country’s growing electric mobility ecosystem. The plant is designed to address both lithium-ion battery waste and rare earth magnet recovery, positioning itself as a comprehensive recycling hub.
Integrated Recycling Capacity and Infrastructure
The newly established facility begins operations with a lithium-ion battery recycling capacity of 10,000 tonnes per year. Alongside this, it supports rare earth magnet dismantling and processing at a scale of 60 tonnes per month. A key infrastructure component includes a rare earth chloride processing line with an annual capacity of 1,500 tonnes, supported by a 22-metre direct-heated rotary kiln. This unit is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026, further enhancing the facility’s downstream processing capabilities.
Advanced Recycling Technology and Recovery Efficiency
The plant is registered under Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and is engineered to process 95 different categories of battery scrap, including both pre-consumer and post-consumer sources. Utilizing Rocklink’s proprietary R2 recycling technology, the system achieves recovery efficiencies exceeding 98% for critical metals such as aluminium, copper, and iron. The process also produces high-purity black mass, which serves as a feedstock for further refining into battery-grade materials.
Environmental Control and Emission Management Systems
Environmental safety is a core feature of the facility’s design. The recycling process incorporates an encapsulated system that captures volatile organic compounds generated during battery treatment. These emissions are managed through advanced waste gas treatment technologies, ensuring compliance with stringent environmental standards. This approach reduces environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency across high-volume recycling activities.
Rare Earth Magnet Processing and Material Scope
The facility extends beyond battery recycling to address rare earth materials used in electric mobility systems. It processes permanent magnet alloys such as NdFeB, SmCo, and AlNiCo, which are essential for electric motors and generators. Semi-automated dismantling lines enable efficient separation and recovery of these materials, supporting the supply chain for critical components used in electrified powertrains and industrial applications.
Operational Model and Reverse Logistics Expansion
To streamline material collection and processing, Rocklink India is implementing its Magcycle reverse logistics model, which has been operational in Europe since 2018. This system ensures structured collection, sorting, and transportation of magnet scrap from various sources. Additionally, the company plans to incorporate battery refurbishment operations, allowing viable cells to be reused, thereby extending lifecycle value and reducing waste generation.
Material Analysis and Quality Assurance Approach
The facility follows a Know Your Material (KYM) methodology, supported by in-house laboratory capabilities. These labs conduct detailed analysis of elemental composition and surface oxidation characteristics of incoming materials. This ensures precise process control and optimized recovery outcomes, enabling consistent production of high-quality recycled outputs suitable for reintegration into manufacturing supply chains.
Facility Capacity and Processing Overview
The facility integrates multiple processing streams to ensure efficient recovery across battery and magnet materials, enabling scalability and operational flexibility.
Rocklink India Recycling Facility Specifications
| Parameter | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Lithium-ion battery recycling | 10,000 tonnes/year |
| Rare earth magnet processing | 60 tonnes/month |
| Rare earth chloride line | 1,500 tonnes/year |
| Metal recovery efficiency | Above 98% |
The integrated approach adopted at this facility highlights the convergence of recycling, material recovery, and supply chain optimization. By combining battery recycling with rare earth processing and logistics integration, the plant establishes a scalable model for sustainable material management in the evolving electric mobility sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity and key capability of the Rocklink India recycling facility?
The Rocklink India recycling facility is designed to process 10,000 tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually along with 60 tonnes per month of rare earth magnets. It uses advanced R2 technology to achieve over 98% recovery efficiency for metals such as aluminium, copper, and iron while producing high-purity black mass. The facility also includes a rare earth chloride processing line and supports battery refurbishment, enabling both recycling and reuse within a structured circular economy framework.