NALCO to cut the import cord; invites EoI for aluminium fluoride and smelter inputs

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), India’s Navratna aluminium major, has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from joint venture partners, manufacturers, investors and collaborators to establish production facilities for aluminium fluoride (AlF₃), calcined petroleum coke (CPC) and coal tar pitch (CTP).

Issued on September 21, the three EoIs form part of NALCO’s backward integration strategy to secure critical raw materials for aluminium smelting, reinforce its Angul expansion and reduce import dependence. Submissions are open until October 12.

The requirement for these materials will rise alongside NALCO’s smelting capacity, which is being expanded from 460,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) to around 960,000 TPA through a brownfield project.

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The company is also adding a fifth stream of 1 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) at its Damanjodi alumina refinery and developing the 3.5 MTPA Pottangi bauxite mine. In FY2025-26, NALCO reported its highest-ever revenue of INR 178.43 billion (USD 1.88 billion) and net profit of INR 58.16 billion (USD 612.7 million).

Three partnership routes

NALCO has offered respondents three routes:

• An equity joint venture, preferably near the Angul smelter complex or at another suitable location.
• A long-term strategic partnership or investment tied to an assured offtake.
• Any other structure that delivers secure, cost-competitive supply.

Aluminium fluoride

Aluminium fluoride is an electrolyte additive used alongside cryolite in the Hall-Héroult process. It lowers the bath’s melting point, improves conductivity and helps maintain thermal stability in reduction cells.

NALCO is seeking facilities with minimum offtake capacity aligned with its requirements for both high bulk density (HBD) and low bulk density (LBD) grades.

• HBD: minimum 90 per cent AlF₃, bulk density of at least 1.3 grams per cubic centimetre (g/cc), flowability within 60 seconds.
• LBD: minimum 95 per cent purity, bulk density of at least 0.75 g/cc, flowability within 160 seconds.

Fluorosilicic acid or alumina hydrate supply and credentials for supplying aluminium smelters are required here.

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Calcined petroleum coke

CPC is the principal carbon aggregate in anode manufacture.

The specification sets vibrated bulk density at a minimum of 0.89 g/cc, real density at 2.060-2.085 g/cc and Hard Grove Grindability Index at 33-42. Sulphur is capped at 2.50 per cent, ash at 0.4 per cent and moisture at 0.30 per cent, with nickel plus vanadium held to 0.045 per cent. Degree of calcination (Lc, 27-29 Å) and dedusting oil are listed as indicative parameters.

Coal tar pitch

CT pitch is the binder that holds the CP coke aggregate together. It carbonises on baking to provide the anode with strength and conductivity. NALCO wants liquid pitch and expects applicants to hold long-term coke oven coal tar supply.

The key specifications are:

• A Mettler softening point of 107-113°C and a minimum Alcan coking value of 55 per cent.
• Viscosity capped at 20,000 cps at 140°C and 3,000 cps at 160°C.
• Quinoline insolubles of 5.0-11.0 per cent and beta resin of at least 20 per cent.
• Sulphur capped at 0.60 per cent and ash at 0.50 per cent.

NALCO’s objective is to reduce import reliance and back the “Atmanirbhar Bharat / Viksit Bharat” vision. NALCO is following the model it used for bauxite, coal, power and caustic soda. Exact annual volumes and any specification refinements will be shared only with qualified parties at the RFP stage.

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