Nalco signs multiple R&D agreements, commercializes 5 registered patents

Indian Navaratna PSU National Aluminium Company (Nalco) announced commercialization of five out of its 29 registered patents, in Odisha on Sunday. The aluminium producer said that it intends to put its nano-based Emrion Technology for de-fluoridisation to use in endemic fluoride contaminated areas for the benefit of common people.

Nalco CMD Tapan Kumar Chand, who was attending the inauguration of Nalco Research and Technology Centre (NRTC) at Gothapatana, said, ""Nalco R&D centre has already registered 29 patents of which 5 have been commercialized. Recently, Nalco achieved commercial success with a breakthrough nano-based Emrion Technology for de-fluoridisation, for the first time in the world."

"Considering the need for change to ensure sustainability, we have taken up various cutting-edge Research and Development initiatives," he further added.

Union Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar who graced the occasion praised Nalco for setting a niche in the field of R&D in the aluminium industry. He said, the new Research and Technology Centre would provide immense competitive benefits to the entire industry.

Chand updated media that his company has inked an R&d agreement with Rio Tinto Alcan for development of AP2XN technology which aims to reduce energy consumption at the smelter by about 5 per cent. Another R&D agreement has been signed with China's Chalieco that involves separation of iron concentrate from Red Mud.

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Nalco has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai to work on projects for gallium recovery from Bayer's liquor, extraction of rare earths from red mud and other areas of interest.

NRTC will be steered in a direction from where it can boost Nalco's research initiatives and promote young researchers of the industry, said Chand.