India has stopped the export of lithium-ion battery black mass. From 10 November 2026 the black mass (the dark powder left after end of life Li-ion batteries and cell manufacturing scrap are shredded) is no longer permitted to leave the country. Its export status under ITC(HS) code 85491400 has changed from ‘Free’ to ‘Prohibited’ until further orders.<\/p>\n
The timing is important. Black mass contains recoverable lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese (the very same metals that India imports to make its EV batteries and grid storage). Domestic recyclers have built the capacity but have struggled to utilise it and some have actually had to import scrap just to keep their plants going. Keeping the black mass in-house is a game changer in that respect.<\/p>\n
The shift is from shredding and shipping to refining and material recovery within India. That creates space for hydrometallurgical refiners, battery salt producers, cathode material manufacturers, equipment makers and specialist logistics providers. For the entrepreneur, the MSME, the manufacturer, the investor and the startup, this is a very rare instance where policy has guaranteed the feedstock and is now just waiting for the processing capacity to come online. (Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling)<\/p>\n