UK-India Alliance Boosts Critical Mineral Innovation
A landmark partnership between the UK and India is set to boost innovation and sustainable handling around critical minerals across various sectors.
The partnership involves Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), the Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) at the University of Cambridge and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.
The overarching aim of the initiative is to forge a path through the entire life cycle of critical minerals. This encompasses their extraction right through to their recycling, augmenting the efficiency of modern technology and promoting sustainable practices across the board.
Integral to this collaboration is the development of an "observatory" dedicated to tracking and analysing the supply chain and flux of material concerning critical minerals. These minerals, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and copper, are vital not only for the technology and clean energy sectors but also for national security, industrial resilience, and ecological sustainability. The timing is perfect as industries angle towards achieving net-zero emissions.
Building supply chain resilience
The recent participation of the UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, in a visit to India highlights the strategic nature of this partnership, which falls in line with objectives established in the India-UK Roadmap 2030. The programme promises to push the boundaries of existing UK-India collaborations in advanced technology, especially within the energy, manufacturing, and materials sectors.
As part of a wider UK-India Technology Security Initiative, this programme is tactically designed to enhance the robustness of supply chains, fostering stability and promoting growth in both countries. Critical minerals form the backbone of green technologies such as wind turbines, lithium-ion batteries, and hydrogen fuel cells. Securing a stable and sustainable supply of these minerals is crucial for energy independence.
Through this initiative, the observatory aims to utilise industrial data from both nations to boost supply chain resilience, expand understanding about materials and recycling, and identify potential shortages and risks. It's set to enable strategic, data-driven decision-making to uncover recycling prospects, detect supply bottlenecks and pinpoint vulnerabilities that could impede the supply of minerals.
CPI’s role in developing sustainable technologies
As a pivotal participant in this collaboration, CPI is focusing on the industrial challenges associated with critical minerals. An Innovation Sprint programme is in the pipeline, aimed at discovering more eco-friendly methods for extraction and purification. This initiative will underpin the development of new manufacturing technologies that look to lessen environmental impacts and tilt towards greener critical mineral processing.
CPI's endeavours seek to shrink carbon footprints within industries and assist in the shift towards a circular economy. Such partnerships are envisioned as a blueprint for addressing major industrial challenges. Working closely with partners in India will unveil opportunities that contribute to the energy security of both nations, providing sustainable solutions well away from reliance on fossil fuels.
A sustainable path towards net zero
This UK-India collaboration does more than just foster technological advancement; it emphasises the importance of effective stewardship of essential elements, ensuring accessibility to critical materials while driving sustainable development. The cooperation looks set to have a lasting impact on sustainable manufacturing, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship in both countries.
As the partnership evolves, CPI and its collaborators aim to maintain a strong focus on developing industries that are reliant on sustainable and efficient uses of minerals, thereby fostering economic growth and international cooperation.
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