On World Environment Day, Indian mining and metals giant Vedanta Ltd announced plans to explore the use of biodiesel in its commercial vehicle fleet at the Jharsuguda township in Odisha.

Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of the group, said it has committed to decarbonising 100 per cent of its light motor vehicle fleet by 2030. As part of this initiative, the company is evaluating biodiesel following successful pilot runs to assess its viability in its commercial vehicles.

In addition, Vedanta has started using biomass briquettes made from agricultural residue for co-firing at its Lanjigarh alumina refinery in Odisha and BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh. At the Lanjigarh unit, located in Kalahandi district, 20 tonnes of biomass are co-fired daily, reducing carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by over 10,000 tonnes annually.

The company has also introduced a 10-tonne electric forklift at its aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and currently operates a sizeable fleet of electric lithium-ion forklifts. This shift has significantly lowered diesel consumption and emissions across its operations.

“The move to electric mobility is further supported by a recent partnership with Let’s DriEV, launched in Vedanta’s Jharsuguda township to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles among employees and residents,” the company stated.

Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasised the company’s broader commitment: “From responsible sourcing of materials to energy-efficient manufacturing, Vedanta is dedicated to creating long-term value while safeguarding the planet’s needs.”

“Our goal is to lead the global aluminium industry by example, setting new standards for sustainable and responsible growth,” he added.