MSMEs are at the centre of our technology outreach, says NML Jamshedpur Director

Laboratory working closely with Adityapur industries to solve production challenges through innovation

CSIR-NML Develops Technologies to Recover Tungsten, Silicon and Rare Elements

Critical Minerals Can Be Recovered from E-Waste and Industrial Scrap, Says Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury

Critical Minerals Can Be Recovered Through Recycling, Says CSIR-NML Director

 We Have Transferred Tungsten Recovery Technology to Three Industries, Says Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury

Jamshedpur, June 17: Stressing the importance of recycling and resource recovery for India’s future industrial growth, Dr. Sandip Ghosh Chowdhury, Director of CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML), said that critical minerals required for defence, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing can be recovered from industrial scrap, electronic waste and discarded equipment.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of Behind The Teacher’s Desk (BTTD-2026), a national-level student seminar on Materials and Metallurgical Engineering held at CSIR-NML in Jamshedpur on Wednesday, Dr. Chowdhury highlighted several technologies developed by the laboratory to address the growing shortage of critical minerals.

“There is a shortage of critical minerals globally. Therefore, recycling and recovery of these materials have become extremely important for the country,” he said.

Referring to tungsten, a strategic mineral widely used in defence and industrial applications, the Director explained that India has limited natural availability of tungsten ore. According to him, extracting tungsten directly from mining waste is difficult because its concentration is extremely low.

“Tungsten is very important for defence applications. In mine tailings its concentration may be around 0.02 per cent, whereas tungsten scrap contains nearly 20 per cent tungsten. Recovering it from scrap is therefore much more practical and economical,” he said.

Dr. Chowdhury informed that CSIR-NML has already developed a technology to recover tungsten from tungsten carbide scrap and has transferred the technology to three industrial partners.

“We have successfully developed the process and transferred the technology to three parties. They are now working on its commercial implementation,” he added.

The Director said similar efforts are underway for recovering valuable materials from used magnets and other industrial products. Many strategic materials used in advanced magnets are available only in a few countries, making recycling a crucial option for India.

“If the required raw materials are not readily available, we must recover them from spent products already present in the country,” he said.

Highlighting the growing challenge of solar panel waste, Dr. Chowdhury said India will soon face large volumes of discarded photovoltaic panels as early installations reach the end of their operational life.

“Solar panels generally have a life of around 20 years. Instead of treating them as waste, we can recover valuable materials such as silicon, silver and other elements and use them again for manufacturing new solar panels,” he said.

He informed that CSIR-NML has undertaken projects aimed at developing technologies for extracting these materials from spent photovoltaic cells.

The Director also drew attention to the future challenge posed by discarded LED display screens, digital signboards and smart city infrastructure.

“Across the country, we are seeing increasing use of LED screens and digital billboards. After their useful life is over, they will become a source of valuable materials. We must be prepared with technologies to recover these critical elements,” he said.

According to him, several electronic display systems contain strategic materials such as indium and other valuable metals that can be recovered through scientific recycling processes.

Dr. Chowdhury noted that certain elements related to nuclear energy remain under strict regulatory control and can only be handled by authorised agencies.

“There are specific materials that come under the jurisdiction of the Atomic Energy sector. Their use and processing require proper licensing and safety protocols,” he said.

The CSIR-NML Director also highlighted the institution’s long-standing mission of supporting industries through technology development and transfer.

“NML has been working for decades to provide new technologies to industry. Our goal is not only to develop technologies but also to ensure that industries, particularly small and medium enterprises, can use them effectively,” he said.

He said the laboratory has been actively engaging with industrial associations in Adityapur and other manufacturing clusters to identify challenges faced by local industries and provide technological solutions.

“We are interacting closely with MSMEs. We discuss their production challenges and explore how our technologies can help solve their problems. While large industries have their own resources, our focus is increasingly on the MSME sector,” he said.

Dr. Chowdhury further spoke about CSIR-NML’s initiatives in electronic waste management. He said the laboratory’s technologies related to e-waste processing have already spread to multiple states across the country.

“Our technology has reached 16 states. Technology transfer activities are continuing, and industries from different parts of the country are adopting these solutions,” he said.

He observed that electronic waste remains an underutilised resource in many households.

“In many homes, old electronic devices are stored away rather than being disposed of responsibly. As a result, valuable materials remain locked up and do not enter the recycling chain,” he said.

To address this challenge, CSIR-NML has been conducting awareness and training programmes to create a network of trained individuals capable of promoting responsible e-waste collection and recycling.

“We first train a group of people, who then train others. This multiplier effect helps spread awareness and knowledge across communities and industries,” he explained.

The Director said several industries in eastern India have already been trained under these programmes and more capacity-building initiatives are planned in the future.

Encouraging entrepreneurs and start-ups to take advantage of the laboratory’s innovations, Dr. Chowdhury said technology developed at CSIR-NML can create new business opportunities in recycling and resource recovery.

“We want industries and start-ups to utilise these technologies. Recycling of critical minerals and e-waste is not only environmentally important but also a major economic opportunity for the country,” he said.

He emphasised that scientific recycling and recovery of critical materials would play a vital role in strengthening India’s resource security, supporting manufacturing growth and advancing the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.