In a significant move toward sustainable manufacturing, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has signed a Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) with GAIL Gas Limited to supply natural gas to its Jharsuguda smelter in Odisha—the largest aluminium plant in the world. The switch to natural gas, anticipated to be operational by late 2025, is expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 47,292 tonnes of CO₂ annually. This step aligns with Vedanta Aluminium’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050, combining renewable energy adoption with extensive afforestation to offset its carbon footprint.
The collaboration will power a new 430 kilo tonnes per annum (KTPA) cast house at the Jharsuguda facility, dedicated to producing 250 KTPA of billets and 180 KTPA of other high-value aluminium products. GAIL Gas Limited will build a 7.5 km pipeline to deliver around 32,000 standard cubic metres (SCM) of natural gas per day under a five-year agreement. The use of natural gas is projected to reduce monthly emissions by 62%, equivalent to 3,941 tonnes of CO₂.
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Non-Executive Director of Vedanta and Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc Limited, highlighted the importance of the initiative, stating, “Sustainability is core to Vedanta’s operations. Our partnership with GAIL Gas is a significant step toward adopting cleaner energy and contributing to India’s vision for a low-carbon future. This collaboration supports our ESG goals while advancing sustainable growth.”
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized, “This partnership reflects our commitment to reducing the environmental impact of aluminium production while meeting the growing demand for aluminium in key sectors. By transitioning to natural gas, we aim to set a benchmark for sustainability in the aluminium industry and contribute meaningfully to India’s clean energy ambitions.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s products, including billets, primary foundry alloys, wire rods, and ingots, have been verified by Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) International for adhering to rigorous sustainability standards. The company’s Jharsuguda plant is also certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), underscoring its leadership in sustainable manufacturing.
With a production volume of 2.37 million tonnes in FY24, Vedanta Aluminium manufactures over half of India’s aluminium and leads the market in value-added products used in critical industries. Ranked first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium industry, the company is driving innovation to position aluminium as the “Metal of the Future” for a sustainable tomorrow.
