Aluminium
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: NIE
Context: India’s aluminium industry is under stress due to a rapid shift from aluminium to UPVC plastic in construction and rising cheap imports from ASEAN countries.
About Aluminium:
• What it is?
• Aluminium is widely used for making window frames, kitchen items, doors, roofs, and automotive parts. It is increasingly being replaced by UPVC plastic, which is derived from crude oil and raises environmental concerns under India’s Paris Agreement commitments.
• Aluminium is widely used for making window frames, kitchen items, doors, roofs, and automotive parts.
• It is increasingly being replaced by UPVC plastic, which is derived from crude oil and raises environmental concerns under India’s Paris Agreement commitments.
• India’s Status (Production, Imports & Exports)
• Installed capacity of aluminium extrusion industry: 3 million tonnes per annum. Actual utilisation: only 1.2 million tonnes. Imports: exceed 1.5 million tonnes, driven by price differences, FTA concessions, and duty-free access under various HSN codes. Consumption: India’s per capita aluminium consumption is ~4 kg, among the lowest globally, compared to China (25 kg), US (18 kg), and world average (11 kg).
• Installed capacity of aluminium extrusion industry: 3 million tonnes per annum.
• Actual utilisation: only 1.2 million tonnes.
• Imports: exceed 1.5 million tonnes, driven by price differences, FTA concessions, and duty-free access under various HSN codes.
• Consumption: India’s per capita aluminium consumption is ~4 kg, among the lowest globally, compared to China (25 kg), US (18 kg), and world average (11 kg).
• Importance of Aluminium in Industry:
• Critical for construction sector: doors, windows, facades, and structural applications. Important for the automotive industry, which is shifting towards lightweight materials. Plays a role in renewable energy expansion, especially solar. India’s low aluminium consumption limits the growth of the domestic industry despite high potential demand.
• Critical for construction sector: doors, windows, facades, and structural applications.
• Important for the automotive industry, which is shifting towards lightweight materials.
• Plays a role in renewable energy expansion, especially solar.
• India’s low aluminium consumption limits the growth of the domestic industry despite high potential demand.
• Raw Materials in India:
• India has significant bauxite reserves, the primary ore for aluminium production. Major producing states: Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines). Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations). Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh. Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau. Maharashtra – Kolhapur district. Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.
• India has significant bauxite reserves, the primary ore for aluminium production.
• Major producing states: Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines). Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations). Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh. Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau. Maharashtra – Kolhapur district. Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.
• Odisha – largest producer; major mines in Koraput, Kalahandi, Rayagada, Sundergarh (NALCO’s Panchpatmali mines).
• Jharkhand – deposits in Lohardaga, Gumla, Ranchi (Hindalco operations).
• Gujarat – reserves in Jamnagar, Kutch, Junagadh.
• Chhattisgarh – deposits in Bilaspur, Durg, Amarkantak plateau.
• Maharashtra – Kolhapur district.
• Madhya Pradesh – Amarkantak plateau, Maikala range.