Rio Tinto to Return to India with Green Aluminium Project with AM Green

18 Apr 2025 CW Team

India’s aluminium industry is currently led by major players like Hindalco, Vedanta, and National Aluminium Company (NALCO). The first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned by 2030, with plans to produce 500,000 tonnes of primary aluminium annually. The facility will be strategically located near a port in South India to optimize logistics. To ensure sustainable production, the plant will harness 1.8 to 2.0 GW of solar and wind power, supported by pumped hydro storage, requiring a total renewable capacity of approximately 7 to 8 GW.

Aluminium, due to its lightweight, ductile, and fully recyclable nature, is increasingly in demand across sectors like automotive, construction, power, packaging, and transportation. Global demand for aluminium is estimated at 70 million tonnes annually. Analysts predict that building this facility could require a phased capital investment of $5–7 billion, with power costs being a significant factor. While coal has historically powered aluminium smelters, the industry is transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. For example, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer, plans to increase its renewable energy share from 5 per cent in 2024 to 30 per cent by 2030.

India is the world’s second-largest aluminium producer, with a capacity exceeding 4 million tonnes per annum. In FY24, the country produced 23.93 million tonnes of bauxite, though it continues to import significant amounts of the ore despite its substantial reserves.

News source: Business Standard

A proposed collaboration aims to establish an aluminium smelter with an annual capacity of 1 million tonne, accompanied by 2 million tonne of alumina production. This greenfield facility will operate entirely on renewable energy sources. The first step will involve both parties signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to initiate a feasibility study, with an official announcement expected soon. India’s aluminium industry is currently led by major players like Hindalco, Vedanta, and National Aluminium Company (NALCO). The first phase of the project is expected to be commissioned by 2030, with plans to produce 500,000 tonnes of primary aluminium annually. The facility will be strategically located near a port in South India to optimize logistics. To ensure sustainable production, the plant will harness 1.8 to 2.0 GW of solar and wind power, supported by pumped hydro storage, requiring a total renewable capacity of approximately 7 to 8 GW. Aluminium, due to its lightweight, ductile, and fully recyclable nature, is increasingly in demand across sectors like automotive, construction, power, packaging, and transportation. Global demand for aluminium is estimated at 70 million tonnes annually. Analysts predict that building this facility could require a phased capital investment of $5–7 billion, with power costs being a significant factor. While coal has historically powered aluminium smelters, the industry is transitioning towards cleaner energy sources. For example, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer, plans to increase its renewable energy share from 5 per cent in 2024 to 30 per cent by 2030. India is the world’s second-largest aluminium producer, with a capacity exceeding 4 million tonnes per annum. In FY24, the country produced 23.93 million tonnes of bauxite, though it continues to import significant amounts of the ore despite its substantial reserves. News source: Business Standard

Equipment

12 Dec 2025

Schwing Stetter India Unveils New Innovations at Excon 2025

Schwing Stetter India unveiled more than 20 new machines at Excon 2025, marking one of its most significant showcases and introducing several India-first technologies to the construction equipment sector. The company launched the country’s first 56-metre boom pump designed and manufactured in India, the first fully electric truck mixer, the first CNG mixer variant and the first hybrid boom pump. Executives said the launch portfolio was engineered to support India’s move toward faster, greener and more vertically oriented infrastructure through advanced engineering, clean-energy solutions a..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

SEPC Resolves Hindustan Copper Dispute, Wins Rs 725 Mn Order

Engineering, procurement and construction firm SEPC Ltd has recently settled a dispute with Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and secured a mining infrastructure order valued at Rs 725 million from the state-owned company. SEPC informed the stock exchanges that it has executed a settlement deed with HCL, bringing closure to all inter-se claims and counterclaims arising from arbitration proceedings. As part of the settlement, SEPC will receive Rs 304.5 million as full and final payment, marking the resolution of all pending disputes between the two entities. The company also stated that Hindustan Co..

Infrastructure Energy

12 Dec 2025

20% Ethanol Blending Cuts India’s CO2 Emissions by 73.6 Mn Tonnes

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari recently said that India has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 73.6 million metric tonnes due to the adoption of 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol. He made the statement while replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha. Describing ethanol as a green fuel, the minister said it plays a key role in reducing pollution while also supporting higher incomes for farmers. He underlined that ethanol blending contributes both to environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. Nitin Gadkari also po..