Elemental Group opens catalyst recycling plant in India

Elemental Econrg India Private Ltd., which was formed by the merger of Elemental EMEA Global Trade Center DMCC and Econrg Systech Private Ltd., will process used automotive catalytic converters in India, which it describes as the world's most rapidly growing new car market.

Elemental EMEA Global Trade Center DMCC is a key division of Elemental Asia, supplying the largest volume of catalysts within the Asian group. The company has representatives throughout the Middle East developing a network of contractors and contacts. With its strategic location, large scale of operations and team of experienced professionals, Elemental EMEA plays an important role in the group, Elemental says.

Econrg Systech Private Ltd. is a well-established company operating in the Indian market. Its long-standing presence has allowed it to gain trust and recognition, which facilitates expansion and outreach to large and smaller contractors who are distrustful of those outside India, Elemental says.

Elemental Econrg India, based in Sawardari, Maharashtra, is the new Indian branch of Elemental Asia, headquartered in Selangor, Malaysia, that began operations Feb. 3. The equipment and specialized machinery at the company’s plant for processing spent auto catalysts were imported from Poland. Representatives from Elemental Asia and Elemental EMEA helped train the new employees in India.

Aakash Sheh has been appointed director of the newly established facility. Elemental says his knowledge of the Indian market and local business and cultural mores will be crucial to Elemental Econrg India’s success.

“The business opportunities in India are huge, given the size of the market and dynamic economic development," says Mateusz Grabowski, international business trade developer at Elemental Asia. "In 2024, the country's population was 1.43 billion, making India one of the largest and most promising markets in the world. With a local branch, the Elemental Group will gain the opportunity to reach out to customers more effectively, expand its business network and gain more and more market share.”

Elemental Econrg India aims to process 130 tons of material at the new facility in 2025, with a plan to steadily increase its volume in subsequent years. Its presence in India will strengthen Elemental’s market position and optimize raw materials sourcing from this promising market, the company says.

“The company in India will mainly focus on the collection and processing of used catalytic converters," Elemental Asia Director Tomasz Gontarczyk says. "This will enable us to significantly optimize our supply chain and effectively serve customers in this huge market. There are also sales representatives on-site who will build and maintain customer relationships, which will increase our competitiveness and allow us to better adapt to local needs.”

India's automotive industry ranks fourth in the world in terms of production and value, according to 2022 statistics cited by Elemental. In 2023, the country, overtaking Japan, advanced to the position of the world's third-largest automotive market in terms of sales. According to data from London-based CEIC Data, in 2022 more than 354 million motor vehicles were registered in India, and annual production reached 5.5 million cars. In 2023, new car sales in the country reached 4.1 million units.

Elemental Asia, part of Poland-based Elemental Group, specializes in recycling used automotive catalytic converters, focusing on the wholesale purchases of ceramic and metal catalysts that contain the precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium. The company currently has operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Emirates, as well as South Africa and Australia, among others.