Vedanta Aluminium’s subsidiary firm Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) has achieved a major milestone with the first metal output from India’s most advanced 525 kilo-ampere (kA) smelter.
This is quite a strategic drive that makes BALCO’s goal of producing one million tonnes of metal a reality. With this move, the company is strengthening its position to become a pioneer in the premises of India’s aluminium industry.
The new smelter, stationed at Korba, Chhattisgarh, can effortlessly surpass the production capability of the country’s biggest smelter so far, with a capacity of 378 kA. This is not only a scale-up in the world of metal production but also a smart leap towards energy efficiency in aluminium production.
With the commissioning of the 0.435 MTPA potline, BALCO’s total capacity now reaches 1 MTPA, placing it among an elite global group of producers that have crossed the coveted million tonne mark.
BALCO’s growth is aligned with the Indian Government’s Make in India vision, which is aimed at building a strong focus on manufacturing. Increased focus on the homegrown supply of top-quality aluminium, a metal vital to defence, aviation, automobiles, power networks and infrastructure, helps BALCO fortify the country’s industrial foundation. According to the company’s spokesperson, “Once the new facilities run at full scale, the company is projected to produce more than a fifth of India’s total aluminium, marking a major leap in national capability.”
CEO and Director of BALCO, Rajesh Kumar, said, “Joining the Million Tonne Club is not just a company milestone; it’s a national one. This growth enhances India’s manufacturing self-reliance, creates local employment, and brings economic vitality to Chhattisgarh and surrounding regions.” He added that the new project is going to reflect BALCO’s commitment to sustainability, operational excellence and tech innovation, which is the legacy of Vedanta Aluminium for years.
The success of the 525 kA smelter is with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), ABB, Guiyang Aluminium Magnesium Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (GAMI) and Siemens. These partnerships have empowered BALCO to implement high-precision engineering with cutting-edge automation, ensuring long-term performance.
With the new smelter providing high-end performance, BALCO’s production capacity has now reached 2.8 MTPA, which strengthens its position as the largest aluminium producer globally.
In FY25, Vedanta Aluminium has contributed to more than half of India’s total aluminium output, which makes it a key contributor to India’s GDP. The company also continues to lead in sustainability, having been ranked second globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (2024) for the aluminium sector.
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