During a recent networking session, we had the opportunity to speak directly with Vardhman Auto Recycling, an Indian company specializing in End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) recycling ---Ms. Nikeeta N. Jaiin, Founder of the company and a leading figure in India’s ELV industry, together with Mr. Kandarp Bansal (Director)
Q1. Can you tell us about Vardhman Auto Recycling?
Built on the strengths of a family-run enterprise and decades of experience in the recycling sector, Vardhman Auto Recycling has established a formal and advanced ELV recycling system in India. Notably, the company is recognized as India’s First Woman-Led Recycling Facility.
In a heavy industry traditionally dominated by men, Ms. Nikeeta’s leadership is highly symbolic, representing a shift in both industry culture and values. IMRC 2026 also featured a dedicated session on ‘Women in Recycling,’ highlighting the growing recognition of women’s leadership in this field.
Q2. Why is ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) recycling so important for India right now?
India is experiencing rapid motorization, which inevitably leads to a growing volume of scrapped vehicles. ELV recycling is essential not only to reduce environmental risks but also to recover critical materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, and increasingly battery-related materials. Proper ELV processing supports resource security, emissions reduction, and regulatory compliance.
Under Indian government policy, vehicles must be sent for recycling once they reach the following age limits:
- Diesel vehicles: 10 years from registration
- Petrol vehicles: 15 years from registration
Explaining the rationale behind these regulations, Ms. Nikeeta noted, “The main reasons are safety concerns and severe air and environmental pollution.” In a country that has experienced rapid motorization, ELV recycling is not only an environmental policy measure—it has become an essential part of national infrastructure.
Collaboration and Industry Partnerships
Vardhman Auto Recycling focuses on building strong partnerships within India’s formal industrial ecosystem to advance efficient and responsible recycling practices. The company supplies recycled materials to leading Indian companies, including Tata Steel, one of India’s foremost steel producers. Through these industry linkages, Vardhman supports the transition from basic dismantling operations to a more structured and efficient resource-recovery model, contributing to the broader development of circular manufacturing in India. This approach reflects the company’s view that ELV recycling is not merely a disposal activity, but an essential component of a sustainable and circular industrial system.
A Central Figure in India’s ELV Industry
Ms. Nikeeta currently serves as President of the ELV Recycling Conference of India, effectively positioning her as a central hub for the country’s ELV industry.
Tanamachi (IRuniverse) commented:
“ELV India is a topic of strong interest for Japan as well. At our Automotive Recycling Summit, Kaiho Sangyo (Mr. Taishi Suzuki) has been also in attendance. Ms. Jaiin and her team play a key role in explaining the current state and future potential of India’s ELV industry, and they are more than willing to facilitate connections with Japan.”
Looking Ahead: Toward Collaboration with Japan
Looking to the future, Ms. Nikeeta emphasized that she is actively seeking collaboration with Japanese companies in the development of ELV recycling plants. Advanced dismantling technologies, quality control, traceability, and safety-focused design—areas in which Japan has cultivated deep expertise over many years—have the potential to combine with India’s scale to create a globally competitive closed-loop ELV recycling model.
Q3. What differentiates Vardhman Auto Recycling from other recycling operators?
Vardhman Auto Recycling is India’s only woman-led recycling company, with nearly 90% of its workforce comprising women. With 63 years of cumulative experience, the company achieves recovery rates of up to 99% from End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs).
“Our aim is not just profit-making or environmental protection; we strive to make recycling as efficient as possible,” Ms. Nikeeta said. The company operates a fully integrated campus, where ferrous and non-ferrous metals, e-waste, plastics, and ELVs are processed within a single facility, enabling operations with the least possible carbon footprint. Vardhman also maintains tie-ups with national-level laboratories to design and refine efficient recovery processes. Ms. Nikeeta emphasized that every unit of carbon emitted is a threat to life on Earth.
Q4. How do you approach circular economy and closed-loop systems in practice?
Addressing circular economy practices, Ms. Nikeeta stated that Vardhman strategically aligns with India’s largest companies to close the material loop. With the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation by the Government of India, she expects a substantial increase in recycled materials being reintegrated into the formal economy. She explained that major OEMs such as Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra & Mahindra are now mandated to engage authorized recyclers to buy back materials from the economy on which they previously generated profits. According to Ms. Jaiin, these companies are also actively embracing their social responsibility. Vardhman is currently in a transition phase and is expected to move forward at full speed in the near future.
Q5. What challenges does the auto-recycling sector face in India?
India continues to rely heavily on a large informal auto-recycling network, largely due to the absence of strong legislation governing scrap vehicles. ELV recycling is still commonly carried out through local, informal operators.
“The biggest challenge lies in formalising this sector and spreading awareness about formal recycling channels,” Ms. Nikeeta said.
Vardhman Auto Recycling actively engages with informal recyclers in its locality, educating and supporting them in transitioning into the formal sector. These recyclers bring valuable hands-on experience that can be effectively utilized once formalized. To date, more than 100 informal recyclers have been formalized, many of whom now operate as collection agents and, at times, as consultants for vehicle parts. Formalization also enables them to become tax-paying contributors and reduces health risks associated with informal recycling practices.
Q6. How do you see the future of recycling in relation to batteries and electrification?
India represents a large and high-potential market for recycling across batteries, e-waste, ELVs, and related sectors, driven by growing demand and supply volumes.
“India has immense potential, but stricter legislation is needed until the formal sector becomes dominant,” Ms. Nikeeta observed. She also highlighted the importance of incentives for scrap segregation at source and suggested that geographical zoning of recycling facilities during licensing could encourage investment by providing greater certainty for recyclers. Overall, the outlook for recycling in India remains positive, with the sector expected to grow rapidly as recycling becomes an increasingly essential global activity.
(Risa & Rohini)
