DGFT prohibits export of Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass to strengthen domestic recycling and critical mineral recovery
PIB National (English) · Published 11 November 2026 · Last updated
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade prohibited the export of Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass to retain critical minerals domestically, secure feedstock for recyclers, and support clean-energy manufacturing.
Key points
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Department of Commerce, prohibited the export of Lithium-Ion Battery Black Mass falling under ITC(HS) Code 85491400.
- Vide Notification No. 49/2026-27 dated 10 November 2026, the export policy was amended from Free to Prohibited with immediate effect until further orders.
- Transitional arrangements under Para 1.05 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023, apply to the notification.
- ITC(HS) Code 85491400 covers waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators, along with spent cells and batteries that are unsorted and do not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury.
- Black Mass is defined as the powdery material obtained from shredding end-of-life lithium-ion batteries and battery manufacturing waste, containing lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese.
- Domestic recyclers have faced inadequate feedstock availability and were forced in some cases to import material while Indian-generated Black Mass was diverted abroad.
- The prohibition is expected to assure feedstock availability for domestic recycling and refining units, improve capacity utilisation, and encourage further investment and employment.
- The measure complements initiatives under the National Critical Mineral Mission, including the ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2025.
- The notification was issued by officials including Abhishek Dayal, Abhijith Narayanan, and Ishita Biswas.
Background
- In September 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹1,500 crore Incentive Scheme under the National Critical Mineral Mission to develop recycling capacity for critical mineral separation and production.
- India depends substantially on imports for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are essential inputs for electric mobility and renewable energy.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: PIB National (English)