Nalco to develop technology and manufacture equipment specific to the domestic aluminium sector

According to a recent report, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has proposed to set up a new division where it will develop technology for making equipment specific to the domestic aluminium sector. As per the report, the Nalco board has already cleared the proposal and sought approval of the mines ministry.

Nalco’s plan is to first collaborate with foreign suppliers who will help develop the technologies, and then to tie up with domestic fabricators to manufacture equipment that will largely be India-specific.

Nalco chairman and managing director TK Chand said, “We will induct the best of the brains. We will go to the IITs. In addition, we will be making a global advertisement with the aim of roping in some of the best NRI technocrats looking for opportunities back home.”

He also said, “Unlike the steel sector, Indian aluminium sector has done very little towards indigenisation of technology and equipment. Therefore, the industry has to depend on imports — be it for processing of alumina or for smelters. Nalco has now made a plan to create a design and engineering division, because this is one of the priority areas for the company. We also want to do a ‘Make in India’ in the technology space.”

He further added that engineers would be studying technologies and engineering available across the world, particularly in Australia and Brazil, where Nalco has already set up technical and technological collaborations.

The size of the new equipment manufacturing unit is, however, not decided yet. According to Nalco, the decision will be taken depending on the demand scenario.