Vedanta Alumina endorses Waste-To-Wealth MSMEs in Odisha

India's leading premier metallurgical grade alumina producer, Vedanta Alumina, Lanjigarh, is encouraging Waste-To-Wealth MSMEs in the Kalahandi district of Odisha.  It has been supplying lime grit to local brick manufacturers, enabling the circular economy to turn industrial waste into value-added products.

In the production of alumina, lime grit is produced by refining bauxite. The product can be used for several purposes, such as whitening paper, poultry feed, and even as a substitute for gypsum. The Vedanta Alumina refinery in Lanjigarh produces about 10,500 tonnes of lime grit every year, out of which nearly half is repurposed within the refinery. Another industrial by-product created by the company is fly ash, which is generated during thermal power generation. However, to ensure maximum utilization of both materials, the company has been supplying them to local brick manufacturers.

Lime grit offers similar properties without compromising strength and quality as an alternative to gypsum while manufacturing fly ash bricks. This initiative of converting industrial by-products into circular materials is helping ensure environmental sustainability and creating avenues for sustainable livelihood in the region through developing rural enterprises. As a result of initiatives such as these, the fly ash brick industry in the area has grown considerably. A few years ago, there were none, but more than 20 MSMEs near the company's operations exist now. 

GG Pal, the Dy. CEO of Alumina Business at Vedanta said, “Our operations at Vedanta Lanjigarh are governed by the principles of Zero Waste and Zero Discharge. By creating circular economy value chains using industrial by-products like fly ash and lime grit, we are bringing together environmental excellence and community development for true sustainability. This initiative also fuels the entrepreneurial spirit of the local communities, inspiring them to be active participants in the region’s development.”