Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in the country, contributes over half of the nation’s aluminium output, with a production of 2.37 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2023-24. The company operates the world’s largest single-location aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda, Odisha, and is recognized as the world’s largest producer of aluminium wire rods. In an interaction with Machine Maker, Sunil Gupta highlighted how Vedanta Aluminium transforms India’s aluminium production and sets global benchmarks for excellence and sustainability.
Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, is a global leader in aluminium wire rod production and is shaping the industry’s future. Recognized as the world’s most sustainable aluminium producer by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) in 2023, the company is at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Regarding sustainability, Vedanta Aluminium has been acknowledged as the world’s most sustainable aluminium producer, securing the top rank in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) for the aluminium industry in 2023.
Sunil Gupta, the Chief Operating Officer of Vedanta Aluminium and Chief Executive Officer of the company’s Jharsuguda operations, is a dynamic leader with nearly three decades of experience. Under his stewardship, Vedanta Aluminium has achieved remarkable milestones, enhancing operational efficiency, financial growth, and sustainability practices. Sunil Gupta’s leadership philosophy revolves around building a globally competitive aluminium ecosystem, fostering innovation, and emphasizing sustainability. His efforts to integrate advanced technologies, champion biodiversity conservation, and drive carbon reduction initiatives exemplify his commitment to the industry and the environment.
“Ever since I joined Vedanta Aluminium’s operations, I have had a rewarding experience working with an incredibly hardworking, intelligent, and entrepreneurial team spread across our operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh,” shares Sunil Gupta. Reflecting on the company’s journey, he adds, “India’s aluminium sector holds immense potential for exponential growth, and Vedanta Aluminium continues to set benchmarks for the industry in production and sustainability standards.”
In recent months, the company has accelerated its efforts to become a vertically integrated producer and significantly expanded its value-added product portfolio. “Our goal is now to become the world’s most cost-efficient and high-quality aluminium producer, aiming for Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050,” Mr Gupta highlights.
The achievements speak for themselves. In FY24, Vedanta Aluminium produced a record 2.37 million tonnes of aluminium and secured the top spot in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry. “We also achieved the first domestic dispatch of Restora, India’s first low-carbon aluminium, helping several customers globally decarbonize their operations. The possibilities for continued innovation and excellence remain endless,” he says optimistically.
Vedanta Aluminium: Driving Growth through Innovation and Sustainability
“Vedanta Aluminium’s remarkable growth can be attributed to several key drivers,” says Sunil Gupta. “With one of the largest aluminium product portfolios in the world, we offer a diverse range of solutions tailored to meet the needs of our customers. This is bolstered by our relentless focus on innovation, which has enabled us to expand our value-added product range to now comprise 60% of our portfolio—a figure that is only set to grow further.”
This commitment to innovation and customer-centricity ensures that Vedanta Aluminium remains a transformative force across multiple industries. “Our world-class technology and customised approach to product development have positioned us as a preferred supplier to sectors such as construction and infrastructure, automotive, power and transmission, renewables, logistics, and packaging,” Sunil Gupta explains. “By staying attuned to market dynamics and our customers’ evolving needs, we maintain a competitive edge that drives both business growth and sustainability.”
Quality and environmental sustainability are at the core of Vedanta Aluminium’s offerings. “Our products are certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards for their quality and by the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for their eco-friendly provenance, reinforcing customer trust and confidence in our brand,” Mr Gupta highlights.
In FY24, Vedanta Aluminium accounted for nearly half of India’s aluminium production, underscoring its leadership in the sector. “We ensure that our customers have reliable access to the high-quality materials they need to build their products and drive progress,” Sunil Gupta says. By combining innovation, sustainability, and customer-centricity, Vedanta Aluminium has cemented its position as India’s largest aluminium producer and a global leader in the industry.
Aluminium: A Key Enabler of Climate Action and Economic Growth
“We are witnessing a significant shift towards positive climate action, with countries striving to align sustainability goals with economic growth,” shares Sunil Gupta. As a critical enabler of ‘green’ technologies, Aluminium is perfectly positioned to drive this transformation. “Whether through clean energy or sustainable materials, aluminium’s unique advantages make it indispensable for applications that are pivotal to achieving decarbonization goals,” he adds.
Aluminium’s versatility has cemented its role in both emerging and traditional sectors. Sunrise industries such as hi-tech manufacturing, renewables, defence, electric vehicles, and space exploration increasingly rely on aluminium for its lightweight, durable, and recyclable properties. At the same time, traditional sectors like construction, infrastructure, automotive, and electrical continue to demonstrate robust demand, further underscoring aluminium’s importance across the economic spectrum.
“Aluminium’s multi-faceted benefits make it a cornerstone for industries aiming to build a sustainable future while meeting the growing needs of a rapidly evolving market,” Mr Gupta emphasizes. This dual role as an economic driver and a sustainability enabler ensures aluminium remains central to the global transition toward a greener and more prosperous future.
At Vedanta Aluminium, the journey toward sustainability is well underway, with proactive steps taken to align with emerging global standards like CBAM. In 2022, the launch of Restora, India’s first low-carbon aluminium, marked a significant milestone. “Restora has already seen successful uptake in Europe, showcasing its potential to meet the growing demand for sustainable materials worldwide,” shares Sunil Gupta.
Vedanta Offers Eco-Friendly Solutions for Global Market
As the nation’s sole producer of low-carbon aluminium, the company is well-positioned to cater to the increasing need for eco-friendly solutions, particularly in Europe and other global markets. Alongside this, several decarbonization initiatives have been set in motion. These include expanding the share of renewables in the energy mix and investing in technologies to enhance the operational efficiency of manufacturing plants, effectively reducing the carbon footprint. “This is just the beginning of our sustainability journey, and we are committed to continuing our efforts to drive innovation and lead the way in producing materials that support global decarbonization goals,” he adds.
Sunil Gupta shares, “We have set ourselves a clear goal of achieving Net Zero operations, guided by a comprehensive two-pronged strategy to reduce and offset our carbon footprint. On the reduction front, the company is intensifying efforts to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix, enhance manufacturing excellence for greater operational efficiencies, and transition to low-carbon energy sources such as biofuels. “Our initiatives include sourcing an initial 1,335 MW of renewable energy and exploring alternative energy sources like biofuels, critical to our decarbonization journey,” Gupta highlights. Vedanta Aluminium is creating substantial carbon sinks through afforestation efforts near its operations to address the residual carbon footprint.
Recognized as the world’s most sustainable aluminium producer by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) 2023, Vedanta Aluminium is setting benchmarks in the industry. Mr Gupta notes, “These initiatives reflect our commitment to sustainability and underline our dedication to transforming the aluminium industry to support global decarbonization goals.”
A key aspect of this transformation is a strong focus on research and development. Sunil Gupta elaborates, “Our R&D centres are enhancing the properties of aluminium, making it more efficient for diverse applications. This aligns with our vision to build a high-tech and sustainable future with aluminium.” The company’s product portfolio, verified by Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) International and meeting the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), underscores its commitment to both quality and environmental responsibility.
Innovation is a cornerstone of Vedanta Aluminium’s sustainability efforts. Sunil Gupta emphasizes, “We deploy cutting-edge technologies, including IIOT-based sensors, to monitor emissions in real-time and optimize the health of our smelting pots. These technologies not only enhance energy efficiency but also extend the lifespan of our machinery.”
Vedanta Aluminium continues redefining the aluminium industry under Gupta’s leadership through a strategic blend of technological advancement, operational excellence, and sustainability initiatives. “Our vision is clear: to lead by example in creating a sustainable, high-tech future that aligns with the aspirations of our customers and the world at large,” Sunil Gupta adds.
Vedanta Aluminium: Strengthening Production Through Vertical Integration
“Vertical integration is the backbone of our growth strategy,” shares Sunil Gupta. “It ensures streamlined sourcing of raw materials for our smelters, giving us greater control over costs and production volumes. A cornerstone of this approach is the expansion of upstream capacities. Gupta elaborates, “Our alumina refinery at Lanjigarh is on track to reach 5 MTPA, and the capacity growth project at BALCO is progressing well, with smelting capacity set to double to over 1 million tonnes. These expansions are critical to meeting the growing demand for aluminium domestically and globally.”
The company is also expanding its bauxite and coal mining operations to safeguard material security. “By bolstering our domestic mining and refining capabilities, we are insulating ourselves from global market fluctuations and geopolitical uncertainties,” Gupta explains. “This not only strengthens our supply chain but also ensures reliability for our customers.”
These initiatives reflect Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to production excellence while reinforcing its position as a leader in the global aluminium industry. “Our focus is not just on scaling operations but also on creating a self-reliant and future-ready ecosystem that can weather any challenges,” adds Sunil Gupta.
How Sunil Gupta & Vedanta is Driving India’s Aluminium Self-Reliance
Sunil Gupta concluded the interview with an optimistic, focused perspective on India’s aluminium sector. “India has the assets and expertise to be completely self-reliant in aluminium production, but we face challenges from the influx of cheaper imports,” he shared. He highlighted the need for policy support, “Increasing import duties on primary aluminium products and scrap could curb dumping, boost domestic manufacturing, and help build a circular economy. We are hopeful for improvements in this regard going forward.”
Looking at the growing demand, Mr Gupta painted a dynamic picture for the future. “Considering the current demand trajectory, India’s aluminium consumption is set to double within five years, reaching 10 million tonnes. We are gearing up to cater to this growing need while ensuring our operations remain responsible and sustainable,” he said. To meet this demand, Vedanta Aluminium is working towards raising its production capacity to over 3 million tonnes, with crucial growth projects underway at the Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha and the BALCO smelter in Korba.
The company is also intensifying its focus on value-added products. “We are increasing the share of value-added products in our portfolio from 60% to 90%, which offers better margins and provides our customers with a wider array of tailored solutions,” Sunil Gupta explained.
Aligning with the Government of India’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat,’ Vedanta Aluminium is steadfast in its mission to support the nation’s growth requirements. “With consistent availability of high-quality, low-cost aluminium, we are well-positioned to drive India’s progress and emerge as a global leader in the aluminium industry,” Sunil Gupta concluded.
