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- Industry-academia partnership advances next-generation battery recycling research
- Research aims to strengthen India's critical minerals security through bio-based recovery
BENGALURU: Atria University and MiniMines Cleantech Solutions have partnered to establish the MiniMines-AU Laboratory for Sustainable Resource Recovery, a dedicated research facility that combines artificial intelligence and synthetic biology to recover critical metals from spent lithium-ion batteries. Based at Atria University's campus, the laboratory brings together Atria University's expertise in artificial intelligence and life sciences with MiniMines' industry leading capabilities in lithium-ion battery recycling, critical mineral recovery, and process commercialization to accelerate the development of next-generation resource recovery technologies.
The demand for critical minerals is projected to more than double by 2030, even as domestic mining is expected to take over a decade to reach meaningful output. Recovering these materials from end-of-life batteries is one of the few near-term opportunities to strengthen domestic supply. The collaboration aligns with the Government of India's two major initiatives - BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) policy, which promotes bio-based manufacturing and circular-economy solutions in strategic sectors and National Critical Minerals Mission (NCMM), a strategic initiative to establish a robust framework for self reliance in the critical minerals sector.
The laboratory's first phase will focus on recovering lithium from used lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. It targets lithium recovery while preserving high-grade iron phosphate, which conventional chemical recycling often degrades. Supported by researchers, faculty and students, the facility will cover the full research cycle, from microbial cultivation and bioleaching experiments to laboratory-scale validation.
"Securing critical minerals is central to India's clean-energy transition and economic resilience. This partnership demonstrates how industry and academia can build strategic technologies together by combining our strengths in artificial intelligence and life sciences with an industry partner's real-world expertise, ensuring research translates from the laboratory to the ground," said Dr. Madhavan Nair Rajeevan, Vice-Chancellor, Atria University.
āIndia's transition to clean energy will depend not only on manufacturing batteries but also on securing a sustainable domestic supply of critical minerals. At MiniMines, we believe the future of resource recovery will be driven by a combination of advanced metallurgy, artificial intelligence, and biological innovation. Together with Atria University and its capabilities in AI and life sciences, we aim to accelerate the development of scalable, high-impact solutions for the circular economy " said Mr. Arvind Bhardwaj, CTO, MiniMines Cleantech Solutions.
The laboratory operates within Atria University's SynBioAI initiative, an AI-guided synthetic biology hub. Its research draws on SynBioAI's AI platform, which uses specialised AI models to help scientists engineer high-performing microbial strains faster, cutting the slow trial-and-error that has long defined biological R&D.
The partnership will advance microbial processing as a complementary approach to conventional recycling, reducing chemical and energy intensity while recovering metals from complex or low-grade waste. This will further strengthen India's critical-minerals security and build homegrown capability in sustainable resource recovery. By combining industrial knowhow with academic research, the collaboration establishes a model for translating breakthrough science into deployable technologies. MiniMines will play a key role in evaluating process scalability, economic viability, and industrial implementation, ensuring that successful laboratory innovations can be integrated into commercial recycling operations. The partnership reflects Atria University's continued commitment to advancing research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, life sciences, and sustainability, while building solutions that address critical national priorities and global challenges.
About Atria University
Based in Bengaluru, Atria University is Indiaās first Liberal STEM University, designed to combine the depth of STEM education with the breadth of liberal learning. The University integrates science, technology, business, and design to prepare students for solving complex, real-world challenges. Built in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Atria University offers experiential, project-based degree programmes through transdisciplinary majors across emerging domains such as digital technologies, life sciences, energy sciences, sustainability, and mobility. Under the leadership of Chancellor Dr Sunder Raju, the University is focused on building globally relevant education and innovation capabilities from India.
At the core of Atria Universityās academic model is flexibility and choice. Students begin with an exploratory foundation year before selecting their degree and major combinations, supported by personalised learning pathways, multidisciplinary curricula, and application-driven learning. The University emphasises real-world readiness through project-based learning, industry-curated sprint workshops, and structured internship opportunities across the programme duration.
About MiniMines
MiniMines Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is a Bengaluru-based deep-tech company focused on developing sustainable technologies for the recovery, refining, and circular utilization of critical minerals and Rare earth elements. Its proprietary Hybrid Hydrometallurgy (HHMā¢) technology enables the recovery of battery-grade materials from lithium-ion batteries, while its HydroMag REE Loopā¢ platform targets the recycling of rare earth magnets. The company has signed a ā¹350 crore MoU with the Government of Karnataka to establish a Giga Critical Minerals Refining Complex with a planned first-phase refining capacity of 15,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA). By integrating advanced recycling technologies with research, innovation, and workforce development, MiniMines is helping build a resilient domestic supply chain for critical minerals and supporting India's transition towards a circular and self-reliant economy.
