Jamshedpur, March 24 (Local Time, India): The National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpur, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eyantram Waste Management Private Limited, Visakhapatnam, to establish an advanced e-waste recycling plant. Through this technology transfer, the plant will process waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) to extract valuable metals like copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and gold (Au).

Aiming for Zero Waste and Cleaner Environments

The agreement supports Eyantram's commitment to a “Zero Waste” approach, focusing on reducing environmental impact and improving waste management by organizing the informal sector. The technology, developed by NML, promotes eco-friendly recycling, creating jobs for local youth and helping unregulated waste collectors operate more efficiently. Municipal bodies can also collaborate with Eyantram to manage e-waste disposal.

The MoU signing was attended by NML leadership, including Director Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Project Leader Manis Kumar Jha, Head of MER Dr. Sanjay Kumar, and researcher Jhumki Hait, alongside Business Head S.K. Pal and Beena Kumari, who facilitated the technology transfer documentation.

E-Waste Recycling: A Growing Global Priority

NML's technology positions India alongside global leaders like China, Japan, South Korea, and the U.S., which are already advancing e-waste recycling. The process extracts non-ferrous metals from PCBs while minimizing environmental harm, contributing to India's push for self-sufficiency in waste management technology.

The recycling method involves mechanical pre-treatment to concentrate metals, followed by leaching with specialized solutions to extract valuable materials. The final stage uses solvent extraction and electro-winning techniques to recover high-purity metals — a process designed to maximize metal recovery while reducing toxic emissions.

A Promising Future for Sustainable Business

Aashish Lohia, Director of Eyantram Waste Management, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We're thrilled to bring CSIR-NML's cutting-edge PCB recycling technology into India's e-waste sector. Our goal is to create a cleaner, greener society while preserving precious natural resources for future generations.”

NML Director Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury added: “We've successfully transferred many indigenous technologies to Indian companies, and this partnership marks another step toward making India an e-waste-free society.”

Project Head and Chief Scientist Manis Kumar Jha praised the collaboration's alignment with India's Clean Mission, highlighting that “proper implementation of this technology will not only improve the environment but also create much-needed job opportunities for youth.”

The NML-Eyantram collaboration is expected to pave the way for future startups and entrepreneurs in the e-waste recycling industry, reducing India's environmental footprint while contributing to a circular economy focused on resource recovery and sustainability.