Forging a Sustainable Future with Aluminium

As the world increasingly focuses on building a sustainable future, aluminium will play a central role in delivering low-carbon solutions. For example, a 2020 study by the World Bank underscored aluminium's prominence in solar photovoltaic (PV) applications, where it accounts for more than 85% of the mineral material demand.

October 24, 2024. By News Bureau

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Sustainable Future with Aluminium

Aluminium manufacturing

In an era defined by the urgent need for decarbonisation, aluminium has emerged as the second-most widely utilised metal globally and is a critical enabler in the ongoing energy transition. Its unique properties empower several industries to both decarbonise their operations and achieve innovative feats of engineering. Aluminium’s presence is ubiquitous today - be it in packaging, consumer durables, buildings, transportation, aerospace, and energy generation - helping it play an indispensable role in modern life.

Accelerating the decarbonisation pathway
As the world increasingly focuses on building a sustainable future, aluminium will play a central role in delivering low-carbon solutions. For example, a 2020 study by the World Bank underscored aluminium's prominence in solar photovoltaic (PV) applications, where it accounts for more than 85% of the mineral material demand.

But while aluminium enables downstream industries to reduce their carbon emissions and develop cleaner technologies, the aluminium industry is also employing innovative ways to decarbonise itself. Aluminium producers are increasingly adopting clean energies, advanced technologies and investing in product enhancements to reduce carbon emissions. The industry is embracing alternate energy sources such as renewable power and biofuels while integrating Industry 4.0 tech like the Industrial Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to drive efficiency across the manufacturing process and conserve energy while increasing output.

As the demand for aluminium surges, especially with the growth of emerging technologies and renewable energy applications, ensuring the availability of green aluminium will be essential. Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, is pioneering methods to produce low-carbon, high-quality products to help downstream sectors maximise sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

Unlocking the power of aluminium
Vedanta Aluminium offers one of the most extensive ranges of aluminium products globally, continually expanding its value-added product portfolio to cater to diverse needs. Through close collaboration with industry users, Vedanta Aluminium delivers tailored solutions that contribute to business growth and sustainability efforts across various sectors. For example, the company offers Primary Foundry Alloys (PFA) for the automotive sector, and AlSi3 ingots for the steel industry. For the power and electrical industry, Vedanta Aluminium produces electrical conductor (EC) grade wire rods for fine drawing applications and alloy wire rods, ensuring lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and cost-effective solutions with unparalleled design flexibility. Many of these critical products, previously imported, are now manufactured domestically, reducing India's dependence on imports.

The company’s low carbon, ‘green’ aluminium range, Restora, is another significant offering and aligns with its commitment to reducing carbon footprints and promoting greener value chains. Manufactured using renewable energy and recovered aluminium dross, Restora offers an unprecedented opportunity for domestic producers to decarbonise their value chains.

Vedanta Aluminium’s high-quality product portfolio meets global standards and is tailored to the specific needs of industries as varied as electrical, automotive, and construction. The company has achieved Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)-certification for its products, demonstrating their high quality. In addition, they have also been verified as environmentally sustainable by Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) International. The company also deploys cutting-edge technologies from both sector leaders and emerging tech startups to accelerate the pace of innovation and bring new products to market faster pushing the boundaries of materials science and technology.

The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) anticipates an 81% increase in aluminium demand by 2050 as industries intensify their decarbonisation efforts. Aluminium remains indispensable in modern society, contributing significantly to the global economy by generating billions in tax revenue, supporting millions of skilled jobs, and building infrastructure that supports communities across continents. However, the role of aluminium has evolved and elevated to become the harbinger of cleaner technologies and scaling and turning economies more sustainable. Its versatility is unparalleled, and the future of decarbonisation depends on how the industries will use advanced technologies and R&D to make the best use of this metal. Vedanta Aluminium is at the forefront of this evolution, working to make the same vision a reality with its innovative and world-class solutions.

- Mitesh Pandya, Head - ESG, Vedanta Aluminium