Recykal Appoints ALN Rao as Head of Electronics Circularity

Recykal, a frontrunner in sustainability and the circular economy, announced ALN Rao's appointment as Head of Electronics Circularity today. 

Recykal is a tech startup headquartered in Hyderabad that formalises the circular economy in India. It is the pioneer of the managed marketplace for the circular economy in India, enabling all stakeholders across diverse waste streams in waste management services including recycling with a digitised waste management ecosystem. It operates in the categories of e-waste, plastic, paper, metal, tyre, and battery, offering circularity and sustainability solutions. It is leveraging AI for revolutionising waste management. Solving quality and consistent supply challenges faced by the industry, Recykal has successfully channelised 10,00,000+ MT of waste in 2023 and continues to spread awareness on effective waste management.

The production of electronic devices, often contributing significantly to Scope 3 emissions through raw material extraction, underscores the urgent need for sustainable e-waste management. By recovering valuable metals and materials, proper e-waste management can mitigate carbon footprint and reduce the reliance on mining. Effective e-waste disposal necessitates accurate data tracking and reporting. Recykal empowers businesses with granular insights into electronic waste generation, enabling informed decision-making for optimal resource recovery and responsible recycling. This data-driven approach minimises environmental impact, ensures regulatory compliance, and contributes to a circular economy. Through tech intervention and modern recycling facilities, Recykal facilitates urban mining, offering transparency, visibility, and AI-driven optimisation. Leveraging sophisticated R&D, national pricing platforms, and global best practices, Recykal's AI-based pricing engines effectively manage diverse waste streams. By adhering to global standards and certifications, Recykal fosters a transparent ecosystem, securing critical minerals and materials for India's manufacturing growth. Aligning with SDGs 3, 9, 12, and 13, Recykal's specialised modular recycling solutions contribute to a sustainable future.

E-waste disposal remains a complex challenge for businesses, plagued by operational inefficiencies, opaque pricing, and stringent data security regulations. Recykal addresses these pain points by offering a streamlined solution that ensures efficient asset management, transparent pricing, and robust data protection. By effectively tracking and managing e-waste, companies can contribute to a more sustainable future while also enhancing their corporate reputation. With a vast network of authorised buyers and a focus on sustainability, Recykal empowers businesses to responsibly dispose of their electronic waste while maximising returns and minimising environmental impact.

ALN Rao, a seasoned veteran with 38 years of experience in environmental stewardship and circular economy, joins Recykal to fortify its existing digital solutions for e-waste and spearhead its expansion into broader electronics recycling and sustainable practices. His proven track record, including his previous role as the CEO of Exigo Recycling and leadership positions at prominent organisations such as Attero Recycling, Aditya Birla Retail, and Videocon Group, positions him as a pioneer in environmental management. His active engagement with industry associations like NITI Aayog, CII, R2 TAC, MRAI, and MAIT underscores his dedication to fostering sustainable practices and circular economy initiatives nationwide. Notably, his contribution as part of NITI Aayog committee for framing battery waste management rules in 2022 highlights his expertise in the sector.

In his new role, Rao will be at the forefront of Recykal’s efforts to develop and implement innovative circularity solutions for the electronics industry. His extensive experience in establishing e-waste, plastics, lithium-ion batteries, critical minerals, and rare earth recycling businesses will be instrumental in driving Recykal’s growth and impact, as well as in shaping the future of the electronics industry.

“We are thrilled to welcome ALN Rao to the Recykal team,” said Vikram Prabakar, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer at Recykal. “His deep knowledge of the electronics recycling industry and his passion for sustainability align perfectly with our mission. Rao’s leadership will be invaluable as we work towards creating a more circular economy.”

ALN Rao said, “I am excited to join Recykal in our shared vision of a world where electronics are managed responsibly and sustainably. Recykal offers AI- and tech-enabled solutions for circularity at the country, state, and company levels. I retired from Exigo Recycling with a desire to contribute at a global level to the sustainability and circularity landscape in electronics, batteries, and automobiles. These verticals generate plastics, tyres, oil, electronics, and batteries, from which we recover base metals, alloys, precious metals, critical materials, and rare earth metals. I joined Recykal to develop electronics circularity solutions for all stakeholders in the ecosystem, leveraging my deep expertise in refurbishing, recycling, refining, and remanufacturing. Together, we aim to develop global solutions. Tech in waste management is globally essential, and Recykal’s AI focus is groundbreaking. I'm thrilled to contribute cutting-edge solutions to global stakeholders. I chose to rejoin the workforce with Recykal because of its holistic approach to the circular economy, aligning with my desire to contribute to India's circular economy.” Rao’s appointment underscores Recykal’s commitment to environmental responsibility and its dedication to developing sustainable solutions for the future.