Attero Deploys AI to Streamline E-Waste Recycling and Compliance

A single washing machine arriving at a recycling plant presents a logistical puzzle. Its value to a recycler depends on variable factors, including missing components, potential material recovery, and processing costs. For Attero, an Indian e-waste and battery recycling firm, these decisions are no longer left to manual assessment.

Speaking at TechSparks 2026, Ayush Agarwal, Head of Product and Technology at Attero, detailed how the company is deploying artificial intelligence to standardize pricing and regulatory compliance across its operations. Attero processes approximately 200,000 metric tonnes of e-waste and 10,000 metric tonnes of lithium-ion batteries annually. With yearly procurement exceeding Rs 1,000 crore, precise valuation is critical to the company’s financial stability.

Pricing Scrap Through Machine Learning

Unlike standardized commodities such as gold or copper, scrap materials lack a uniform global price. Value fluctuates based on local demand, transportation costs, and specific material composition. To address this, Attero developed “Matrix,” an AI-powered pricing engine. The system integrates three years of internal recycling data with two years of commodity exchange information. It estimates recoverable metals within appliances and calculates optimal pricing based on regional market conditions, such as the logistics-driven price differences between Delhi and Mumbai.

“These decisions do not scale with human judgement,” Agarwal said. He noted that the company prioritized standardizing these workflows over expanding teams to manage growing volumes.

Automating Compliance and Reporting

Beyond pricing, Attero faces significant regulatory burdens, requiring meticulous documentation of suppliers, transporters, and vehicle records. The company introduced “Lightspeed,” a secondary AI engine designed to manage these requirements. The platform reconciles information across records and identifies discrepancies for human review.