Nishchay Chadha | Co-founder and CEO | ACE Green Recycling
Nishchay Chadha is the co-founder and CEO of ACE Green Recycling, a company specializing in battery recycling technology. His journey into the industry began with a background in mining engineering, working for Vedanta and later gaining global experience in recycling, mining, and supply chain sectors with Trafigura. Nishchay’s focus at ACE Green is on developing carbon-free technologies to recycle batteries, ensuring that the process is environmentally sustainable. At EliteX, we are proud to have Nishchay Chadha as part of Fearless Business Leaders in India, 2024 edition.
Despite his achievements, Nishchay humbly states that he does not yet consider himself a business leader, as he feels he has more to accomplish to make a significant impact. His inspiration to start ACE Green Recycling was both personal and commercial, driven by his experiences in the recycling and mining industries. During his career, he witnessed the negative environmental impacts of unorganized recycling practices, particularly in emerging markets, where toxic waste was often improperly disposed of. This motivated him to address the issues plaguing the recycling industry, such as the need for new technology, better supply chain integration, and improved risk management practices.
“Balancing work and personal life is like juggling glass balls. It’s difficult, but I strive to find time for my family despite the demands of my role.”
Starting ACE Green Recycling came with its challenges. The company’s innovative approach, which differs from conventional practices, made it difficult to gain acceptance in the market. Nishchay and his team had to work hard to convince customers and investors of their vision. Additionally, managing communication among a globally dispersed and culturally diverse team was another significant hurdle. However, through resilience and teamwork, ACE Green has managed to overcome these obstacles and deliver world-class solutions for recycling batteries, contributing to a circular economy. Nishchay credits the success of ACE Green to the dedication of his team, the support of his colleagues, friends, and family, and the ability to recruit top talent in the industry. He believes that the most important quality of a business leader is the ability to foster collaboration both within and outside the company. Effective communication is crucial, especially in a remote work environment, to ensure that everyone is aligned with the company’s vision and working towards a common goal. Nishchay emphasizes that a successful business requires a collective effort and a focus on building an ecosystem that drives the industry forward.
In the fast-paced world of startups, tough decisions are an everyday reality, and Nishchay Chadha is no stranger to them. As the co-founder and CEO of ACE Green Recycling, he has faced numerous challenges that required difficult choices. From a professional standpoint, Nishchay has had to make decisions that involved shutting down parts of the business that had consumed substantial resources, sometimes taking a loss to protect the larger interests of the company. One of the hardest decisions, however, has been laying off employees. In a small company where everyone is known personally, this is particularly difficult, but necessary for the long-term success of the business.
Nishchay stays motivated and focused by keeping his eyes on the bigger picture. He believes that his journey has just begun, and there is still a long way to go before he achieves his goals. For him, motivation hasn’t been an issue because his ambitions go beyond financial gain. Having experienced both abundance and scarcity, Nishchay knows that money is not his end goal. His drive comes from a deeper desire to make a meaningful impact, which keeps him pushing forward even in tough times.
To keep his team motivated, Nishchay relies on over-communication, building trust, and fostering a merit-based organization. Ensuring that each team member understands the vision they are working towards is crucial for maintaining motivation. At ACE Green Recycling, the team is united by the belief that the green transition is impossible without recycling. They take pride in delivering sustainable solutions that help the world use its finite resources responsibly. Additionally, Nishchay acknowledges the importance of having the right incentives in place to keep employees engaged and committed for the long term.
“Making tough decisions and overcoming challenges is a daily reality in a startup. It requires grit, humility, and the ability to keep moving forward.”
When it comes to handling failures or setbacks, Nishchay adopts an action-oriented approach. Rather than dwelling on problems, he focuses on solving them and moving forward. Setbacks are a daily occurrence in the business world, but Nishchay believes in tackling challenges head-on and continuing to progress. Reflecting on the current business environment in India, Nishchay sees a dynamic economy filled with both opportunities and challenges. He is particularly impressed by the talent in the country—motivated, intelligent, and eager to succeed. However, he believes that for India to become a developed economy by 2047, monumental changes are needed. Regulatory, taxation, and policy implementation reforms are essential, alongside efforts to eradicate poverty and provide quality education and healthcare to all.
Looking ahead, Nishchay is optimistic about the future of his industry. With the global demand for batteries rising due to the energy transition, he sees recycling as a crucial solution. Mining alone cannot meet the demand for battery materials, as it is both pollutive and energy-intensive. Governments worldwide are beginning to support recycling and tighten regulations to ensure environmentally friendly practices. This is a positive development for ACE Green Recycling, which is at the forefront of promoting sustainable recycling solutions. Nishchay believes that the world is at the beginning of what will become the largest recycling market, recovering valuable materials that will be in high demand globally over the next five years.
Innovation is the driving force behind everything Nishchay Chadha and his team at ACE Green Recycling do. The company has pioneered cutting-edge technologies across the entire battery recycling value chain, positioning itself as a leader in the industry. One of ACE Green’s most significant achievements is developing an innovative, low-cost, and high-efficiency method for recycling batteries without causing pollution. This approach sets them apart as the only company globally to have created solutions for all major battery chemistries, including lead, nickel-based NMC, and lithium-based LFP batteries. While many other battery recyclers have struggled to make the process both environmentally friendly and profitable, ACE Green has made substantial advances, developing one of the world’s most efficient and sustainable approaches to battery recycling.
“Innovation is at the center of everything we do. We are proud to have developed one of the world’s most efficient and sustainable approaches to battery recycling.”
Looking to the future, Nishchay is excited about the company’s upcoming projects and goals. ACE Green Recycling is already operating plants in India and Taiwan, and in the coming months, they are setting up a new facility in Israel. Additionally, they have plans for upcoming facilities in the USA, South Africa, and South Korea. One of their most ambitious projects is the scale-up of their India plant, which is expected to become the world’s largest ex-China LFP battery recycling facility by early next year.
When asked about advice for aspiring business leaders in India, Nishchay emphasizes the importance of being able to make tough but quick decisions. He believes that humility is crucial, especially when it comes to acknowledging mistakes, and that grit is necessary to overcome challenges and keep moving forward. For those on the path of entrepreneurship or in senior leadership positions, these qualities are essential for success.
Balancing work life and personal life is a challenge that Nishchay openly acknowledges. He compares it to juggling glass balls, where one misstep could have significant consequences. As an entrepreneur, he finds it difficult to achieve a perfect work-life balance. However, he makes an effort to find windows of time to spend with his family every day, except when he is traveling. Nishchay is grateful for the incredible support and tolerance his family has shown, despite his frequent unavailability. He recognizes that this is an area where he needs to put in more effort and work harder to find a better balance.