Industrial boost: Vedanta in process of land acquisition for 3 MTPA smelter; aluminium park in Jharsuguda also on cards

Vedanta is in the process of acquiring land in Dhenkanal, Odisha, for its proposed three million tonnes per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter, which the company says could create over two lakh jobs."We are moving towards setting up a new mega aluminium plant at Dhenkanal, Odisha, (with a capacity of) three million tonnes," said Rajiv Kumar, Chief Executive Officer for the Aluminium business at Vedanta, PTI reported.Currently, the company’s total aluminium capacity stands at 3 MTPA. "We want to go to six million tonnes, for which we are actively involved in land acquisition, and hopefully things are progressing very well," Kumar said on the sidelines of ALUMEX India 2025, organised by the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) in the national capital during September 10-13.He added that the green aluminium smelter is part of Vedanta’s larger roadmap to scale up operations. "Aluminium is very heavy on investment and is a capital-intensive industry... it is progressing and any facility like this will take three to four years," Kumar said.Vedanta, he said, is also a manufacturer and exporter of billets, a key raw material for the extrusion industry. "We have in place a roadmap. We are already investing in billet capacity. We are already 580 kilo tonnes and moving to doubling the capacity," he added.Kumar further said that Vedanta is also planning to establish an aluminium park in Jharsuguda, Odisha, and has invited downstream players to set up manufacturing units there.Speaking at the inauguration of ALUMEX India 2025, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said, "India, with its vast population, thriving cottage industries, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation capacity, is emerging as a global force."Emphasising aluminium’s role in India’s industrial journey, Birla said, "The scope of aluminium is immense. From aircraft to automobiles, there is no sector untouched by it. Its recyclability and environment-friendly nature make it the metal of the future. To ensure growth of the aluminium sector, MSMEs must adopt new technologies, improve standards, and focus on quality."At the event, ALEMAI President Jitendra Chopra announced that the exhibition will be rebranded as Aluminium Bharat in the coming years. "It will not be limited to the aluminium extrusion segment alone and will include all segments and products, ranging from rolled products and wire rods to auto castings. Aluminium Bharat will bring the entire aluminium ecosystem on the same platform, and highlight India's key role in this vital sector," he said.ALUMEX India 2025, the country’s first dedicated aluminium extrusion exhibition, is expected to bring together more than 200 exhibitors and around 25,000 business visitors from across the aluminium value chain. Chopra said the exhibition reflects their commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat, particularly in reducing dependence on aluminium imports and building a globally competitive value chain.