India, Nov. 12 -- India has banned exports of black mass, the dark powder produced when dead lithium-ion batteries are shredded, to make sure the critical minerals in it are recovered by domestic recyclers and not foreign ones.

In one industrial sample analysed by researchers in 2024, a kilogram of black mass held about 160g of manganese, 64g of nickel, 25g of lithium and 18g of cobalt. India depends substantially on imports for several critical minerals used in electric vehicles, battery storage, electronics and renewable energy, according to the commerce and industry ministry.

The country's battery recycling plants are not being fully used for lack of feedstock, a ministry spokesperson said. Black mass generated in India was being exp...