Innovation, regulation and safer recycling: ILA’s team present in Bangalore

Opportunities in energy storage, new battery regulations in Europe and improving safe lead battery recycling standards in low and middle-income countries were all on the agenda for ILA’s team presenting at the Indian Lead Zinc Development Associations national seminar on green recycling and energy storage in Bangalore, India.

Dr Steve Binks, ILA’s Regulatory Affairs Director, briefed the event on the rapidly changing shape of batteries regulation in Europe. While the full regulation, covering recycled content to responsible sourcing, is set to come into force this year – secondary legislation will be needed to set out the detailed requirements, a process which could take several years. 

The Consortium for Battery Innovation’s Dr Carl Telford presented the research group’s overview of battery energy storage opportunities for lead batteries from microgrids to electric vehicle charging stations. He also briefed the event on the Consortium’s ground-breaking projects in Africa.

And ILA consultant Brian Wilson briefed the event on progress with standard operating procedures for the safe handling and recycling of lead batteries that were developed with support from the Lead Battery 360° program. Thirty-seven SOPs have been developed covering good practice advice for lead battery collection, transportation, and recycling. They have now been launched in Ghana and this success is being built on in Nigeria, Tanzania and other African counties.