Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has commissioned a greenfield manufacturing facility for Superfine PPT ATH (Precipitated Aluminium Trihydrate) at its Belagavi refinery in Karnataka. The plant has an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes and marks the first domestic production of this high-value specialty alumina material in India.
The new facility strengthens Hindalco’s specialty alumina portfolio and supports India’s efforts to reduce import dependence for critical materials used in fire-safety applications. The plant has been designed for future expansion to 60,000 tonnes per year, allowing capacity to increase in line with market demand.
Superfine PPT ATH is a halogen-free flame-retardant material used in halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) cables, polymer insulators, thermal insulation, composites and paints. In cable applications, the material helps reduce flame spread and smoke generation without releasing halogen acid gases, supporting safer electrical and infrastructure systems.
Demand for such materials is increasing as fire-safety standards become more stringent and the use of electric vehicles, infrastructure and advanced electrical systems expands. The introduction of BIS standard IS 17048:2018 for HFFR cables has also helped align Indian cable standards with international safety requirements.
The Phase 1 capacity of the Belagavi plant is designed to address almost the entire current domestic demand for Superfine PPT ATH from the wire and cable industry. This is expected to strengthen local supply and reduce dependence on imports.
Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, said, “The commissioning of our Superfine precipitated hydrate plant in Belagavi will further strengthen our leadership position and enhance our high-value specialty alumina portfolio in India. This investment reflects Hindalco’s focus on creating value, moving up the value chain and delivering advanced solutions that meet the emerging needs of customers in India and global markets.” Saurabh Khedekar, CEO, Alumina Business, Hindalco Industries, said the new product strengthens the company’s specialty alumina portfolio and supports the development of safer and more sustainable infrastructure.
The facility has been developed through Hindalco’s in-house research and development programme, covering the process from initial development to commercial production. Automated controls have been installed across critical processes to maintain feedstock quality and product consistency.
Sustainability is another key feature of the plant. The facility operates entirely on renewable energy sourced from biomass, solar and wind. Hindalco’s Belagavi refinery recorded a greenhouse gas intensity of 0.44 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of alumina on a year-to-date basis in FY26. The commissioning expands Hindalco’s specialty alumina offerings into advanced flame-retardant applications and strengthens its ability to supply high-performance materials to customers in India and international markets.
Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, with operations spanning bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, downstream rolling, extrusions and foils. Together with subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is a global leader in flat-rolled aluminium products and aluminium recycling. The company has 48 manufacturing units across 10 countries and is also a major copper producer in India.
