Vedanta Aluminium Unveils New Process to Recover Graphite from Waste
Technology

Vedanta Aluminium Unveils New Process to Recover Graphite from Waste

On National Technology Day 2025, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, announced that a patent has been granted for its breakthrough technology that enables the recovery of high-purity graphite (>99 per cent) from aluminium industry waste. This achievement exemplifies the spirit of this year’s theme: ‘YANTRA - Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration’ - by transforming industrial waste into a strategic national resource. 

As the nation celebrates National Technology Day, Vedanta Aluminium’s patent is a testament to Indian industry’s capacity for deep-tech innovation, aligned with national missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat, National Critical Minerals Mission, and Net Zero goals. 

The patented process is developed by Vedanta Aluminium’s in-house Research & Development (R&D) team in collaboration with the CSIR - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar. It recovers battery-grade graphite from Spent Pot Lining (SPL) and Shot Blast Dust, the two waste streams generated during aluminium production. This innovation not only aligns with India’s circular economy and sustainability priorities but also holds the potential to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported graphite, which currently exceeds 70%. 

The recovered graphite has demonstrated exceptional electrical conductivity and structural properties suitable for lithium-ion battery applications. Its atomic structure makes it highly effective for lithiation and de-lithiation, processes critical to battery performance. 

Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, ""With India's demand for electric vehicles, energy storage, and high-tech electronics set to skyrocket, our patented solution is both timely and transformative. It strengthens our contribution to India’s critical minerals roadmap while advancing our vision of zero-waste, future-ready manufacturing.” 

In 2024, India imported approximately $41 million worth of natural graphite, positioning it among the top three importers in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside South Korea and Japan. This substantial import value underscores India's continued reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals essential to high-tech industries, including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Vedanta Aluminium's patented technology for recovering high-purity graphite from aluminium industry waste offers a promising solution to reduce this dependency, aligning with national objectives for self-reliance in critical mineral resources.

On National Technology Day 2025, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, announced that a patent has been granted for its breakthrough technology that enables the recovery of high-purity graphite (>99 per cent) from aluminium industry waste. This achievement exemplifies the spirit of this year’s theme: ‘YANTRA - Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration’ - by transforming industrial waste into a strategic national resource. As the nation celebrates National Technology Day, Vedanta Aluminium’s patent is a testament to Indian industry’s capacity for deep-tech innovation, aligned with national missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat, National Critical Minerals Mission, and Net Zero goals. The patented process is developed by Vedanta Aluminium’s in-house Research & Development (R&D) team in collaboration with the CSIR - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar. It recovers battery-grade graphite from Spent Pot Lining (SPL) and Shot Blast Dust, the two waste streams generated during aluminium production. This innovation not only aligns with India’s circular economy and sustainability priorities but also holds the potential to significantly reduce India’s dependence on imported graphite, which currently exceeds 70%. The recovered graphite has demonstrated exceptional electrical conductivity and structural properties suitable for lithium-ion battery applications. Its atomic structure makes it highly effective for lithiation and de-lithiation, processes critical to battery performance. Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, With India's demand for electric vehicles, energy storage, and high-tech electronics set to skyrocket, our patented solution is both timely and transformative. It strengthens our contribution to India’s critical minerals roadmap while advancing our vision of zero-waste, future-ready manufacturing.” In 2024, India imported approximately $41 million worth of natural graphite, positioning it among the top three importers in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside South Korea and Japan. This substantial import value underscores India's continued reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals essential to high-tech industries, including electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Vedanta Aluminium's patented technology for recovering high-purity graphite from aluminium industry waste offers a promising solution to reduce this dependency, aligning with national objectives for self-reliance in critical mineral resources.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Coal Ministry Achieves Milestones under Special Campaign 5.0

The Ministry of Coal and its Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have achieved notable milestones under the Special Campaign 5.0, focusing on cleanliness, operational efficiency, and sustainability across the coal sector. During the implementation phase from 2–31 October 2025, over 1,205 sites were cleaned, covering 68,04,087 sq ft, nearing the target of 82,51,511 sq ft. Scrap disposal of 5,813 MT against a target of 8,678 MT generated Rs 228.7 million in revenue. In addition, 1,11,248 physical and 30,331 electronic files were reviewed, with 74,123 weeded out or closed. Key initiatives showc..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Vesting Orders Issued for Three Coal Blocks under Commercial Auctions

The Ministry of Coal’s Nominated Authority has issued vesting orders for three coal blocks under commercial coal block auctions on 23 October 2025. The Coal Mine Development and Production Agreements (CMDPAs) for these mines were earlier signed on 21 August 2025. The three blocks include Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara), Tangardihi North, and Mahuagarhi. Of these, two are partially explored while one is fully explored, with a combined peak rated capacity of around 1 MTPA and geological reserves of approximately 1,484.41 million tonnes. These mines are expected to generate annual revenue of abou..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

TEC, IIT-Hyderabad Partner to Boost 6G and Telecom Standards

The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad) for joint research and technical collaboration in advanced telecom technologies and standardisation. The partnership focuses on developing India-specific standards and test frameworks for next-generation networks, including 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). It also aims to enhance India’s participation in international standardisation f..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?