Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) to develop red mud into a sustainable agricultural input. Red mud, a by-product from alumina production, will be repurposed as a nutrient-rich soil amendment to aid farming, land restoration, and greening of previously used storage areas.
The initiative aims to convert what is typically considered industrial waste into a resource that improves soil fertility, supports afforestation, and enhances ecological recovery. While red mud is already used in construction and cement, Vedanta Aluminium is expanding its application into agriculture by working alongside agricultural scientists to create productive ecosystems.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar. Senior scientists from ICAR-CTCRI, including Director Dr Byju, Dr V Ramesh, Dr M Nedunchezhiyan, and Dr P Sethuraman Sivakumar, also attended the event, underscoring the collaboration’s scientific backing and long-term vision.
Speaking on the occasion, Vedanta Aluminium CEO Rajiv Kumar said, “This collaboration is a significant stride toward our goal of sustainable industrial growth. By converting red mud into an asset for agriculture and ecology, we are addressing environmental concerns while supporting the circular economy.”
Dr Byju highlighted the partnership’s broader impact, stating, “By combining ICAR-CTCRI’s agricultural research with Vedanta’s industrial capabilities, we aim to create scalable solutions that benefit farmers, improve soil health, and promote sustainable practices.”
Vedanta Aluminium has previously introduced a method to reduce red mud generation by 30% during alumina refining, increasing yield and reducing energy consumption. This innovation was developed in partnership with IIT Kharagpur and implemented at Vedanta’s Lanjigarh plant in Odisha. The company also operates India’s first Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system in this segment, recovering all water from bauxite residue and safely storing the dry waste in engineered facilities to protect groundwater.
A division of Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium is India’s top aluminium producer, accounting for over 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. The company supplies high-grade aluminium products for key industries and ranks second globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium sector. With world-class manufacturing operations across smelting, refining, and power, Vedanta Aluminium is focused on advancing the role of aluminium in shaping a low-carbon future.
