Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur, India is a "Centre of Excellence" set up in 1989 to make contributions to the technological growth of the Indian Aluminium Industry. The centre has well-established R&D facilities for Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium.

We recently had an opportunity to meet Mr. Anupam Agnihotri, Director of this prestigious institution during the National Conference on Non-Ferrous Minerals and Metals’16 at Jamshedpur.  He was also facilitated during the conference for his contribution towards R&D in aluminium. He is a Metallurgical Engineer from IIT Kanpur with PG Degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur.
 
With his vast R&D experience in the field of aluminium technology, smelting and downstream areas and his passion for the light metal, we believe he is the right person to throw light on the latest development in the R&D sector and how it can contribute to aluminium’s growth in the country.

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Here is an excerpt from his interview with AlCircle:
 
AlCircle: How do you think R&D sector and industry majors can work hand in hand for the growth of aluminium industry?
 
Anupam Agnihotri: Indian aluminium industry is now about 75 years old. But the country is still dependent on imported technology despite the fact that it owns best quality raw material and man power. It’s high time we stop importing aluminium alloy and start indigenizing the industry and produce enough for defence and transportation needs.  I think it is the right time to start investing in R&D for overall development of this sector. Indian aluminium industry should look forward to major R&D collaboration on technological improvements in alumina refining, aluminium smelting, value additions, forward and backward integration, energy and environment related issues etc. Industries have to focus more on research & development rather than focusing only on productivity & profitability.

There has to be enhanced expenditure (R&D Budget) on setting up pilot scale R&D facilities along with focus on product and application development. Presently there is a gap between laboratory scale R&D facilities and commercial scale production. JNARDDC, in association with and support of Ministry of Mines, Government of India, is in process of bridging this gap by setting up mini pilot plant facilities at JNARDDC for product and process development. Industry has to come forward to share their research and development needs and support the research work for their own benefit and that of the country. The Government of India has taken lot of initiative under “Make in India” program to support indigenisation of import substitutes. The Indian aluminium Industry should come forward to support this initiative and reduce the country’s dependency on imports for strategic applications.