Vedanta Aluminium's BALCO Deploys Women Crane Pilots

24 Mar 2026 CW Team

Vedanta Aluminium's Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) unit in Korba, Chhattisgarh, has deployed a first cohort of 30 women crane pilots to advance a women led operating model in a technology enabled smelting environment.

The cohort comprises 10 beam raising operators and 20 Pot Tending Machine (PTM) pilots and the deployment coincided with the unit's entry into the million (mn) tonne (t) club.

The pilots progressed through a capability path that combined classroom instruction, simulator sessions and progressively responsible on the job exposure, enabling them to undertake critical pot room tasks. These tasks include anode changing, covering, tapping of molten aluminium and beam raising that maintain electrolytic reduction cells within tight parameters for stable continuous metal production.

Vedanta Aluminium's chief executive indicated that automation and advanced technologies are reshaping modern aluminium operations and creating opportunities for a new generation of skilled professionals. The company's manufacturing strategy pairs digitalisation and automation with inclusive workforce design to make core roles gender agnostic and expand high skill training pathways for women.

The deployment builds on BALCO's wider inclusion efforts, which have integrated transgender professionals into core plant functions with policies that include paid leave and financial assistance. Women currently account for 21 per cent of the workforce and the company has set a target to increase representation to 35 per cent in the coming years. The programme was said to reflect long term investment in training and trust in diverse talent to sustain continuous production and operational excellence.

Infrastructure Urban

24 Mar 2026

Greenply Advances Sustainability with ESG and Plantation Drive

Greenply Industries Limited has recently reinforced its sustainability commitment by integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles across its operations. The company continues to align its growth strategy with environmental stewardship, resource efficiency and transparent governance.Guided by its ESG framework, Greenply focuses on measuring and managing its environmental and social impact while setting clear, measurable sustainability goals. This approach ensures transparency and drives continuous improvement across its business processes.A key highlight of its sustainabili..

BIO-ROXX Boosts Efficiency at Mühlacker Biomethane Plant

The Mühlacker biomethane plant in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, has recently enhanced its operational efficiency by integrating the BIO-ROXX substrate preparation module from Wangen Pumps. The system improves substrate consistency, handles long fibres, and effectively removes solid contaminants, addressing the growing complexity of biogas feedstocks.The plant, established in 2007, processes around 30,000 tonnes of feedstock annually from over 120 suppliers, producing biomethane and fertilisers. With increasing use of long-fibre materials such as straw and manure, the existing dry infeed system..

HIRECT Launches Copper Conductors for High-Power Transformers

Hind Rectifiers (HIRECT) has recently announced the commercial availability of advanced copper conductors from its expanded facility in Sinnar, Nashik. The new product portfolio includes Continuously Transposed Conductors (CTC), Paper Insulated Copper Conductors (PICC), and Enameled Paper Insulated Copper Conductors (EPICC), designed for high-power transformers, traction motors, and wound components.The conductors are engineered to support key infrastructure sectors such as power grids, railway systems, and industrial power networks, while also strengthening the company’s presence in global ..