AutoEdge 2024, an industry conference for the automotive sector, was hosted in New Delhi by Vedanta Aluminium. In addition to being a vital component of many contemporary modes of transportation, aluminium is also used in the production of automobiles. The occasion offered a chance to find new areas of cooperation and included expert-led talks on the sector’s future roadmap and the role aluminium plays in its evolution. Leading automakers and key component suppliers from the sector took part in the occasion.
Aluminium is a lightweight metal that has several advantages over other metals, including a greater strength-to-weight ratio, enhanced corrosion resistance, good electrical conductivity, and endless recycling possibilities. Due to these qualities, it is an obvious choice for a wide range of applications in the rapidly expanding automotive industry, which is predicted to account for close to 15% of India’s GDP by FY31. Nowadays, the average car with an internal combustion (IC) engine has around 180 kg of aluminium in it, whereas an electric vehicle has about 260 kg.
Commenting on the event, John Slaven, CEO, of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “We offer our customers in the automotive industry an unmatched combination of advantages: global expertise, cutting-edge technology, customized alloys, ease of doing business, a reliable supply chain and most importantly, an unyielding commitment to sustainable business practices. Backed by innovative product development, technological sophistication and localisation, they represent an opportunity for Indian automotive players to compete at the same level as global companies.”
Gaurav Vats, Senior General Lead – Corporate Materials, Uno Minda, added, “Vedanta Aluminium offered rich insights into how the automotive sector is poised to evolve, and the several ways aluminium could help us derive maximum value from this transformation. Collaborative efforts always result in improved solutions, and so we look forward to our fruitful partnership with Vedanta Aluminium for unlocking enhanced innovation and business growth.”
Recognising aluminium’s potential for sparking innovation in the automotive sector, Vedanta Aluminium offers several high-quality products tailored for the industry. Some of these include specialised primary foundry alloys (PFAs) for developing cylinder heads and alloy wheels and billets for crash-resistant extrusions that are ideal for applications requiring high-impact resistance. In addition, the company also offers ingots, rolled products, and wire rods for various automotive applications. They are produced using world-class technologies sourced from the USA, Spain and Italy among others, and supplied to customers in over 60 countries for high-end applications, attesting to their high production quality and demand.
Vedanta Aluminium has consistently focused on a ‘customer-first’ approach to product innovation. The company’s Customer Technical Services team works closely with customers to develop products as per their specifications. At the company’s upcoming Aluminium Park in Jharsuguda, Odisha, downstream companies can set up their units to access just-in-time molten metal drawn from Vedanta’s mega aluminium smelter nearby. Vedanta Aluminium has also recently launched Vedanta Metal Bazaar, the world’s largest e-superstore for over 750 primary aluminium products, with Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based features offering a simplified end-to-end buying experience for customers.
The company has been recognised as the world’s most sustainable aluminium producer, as per the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023. Its operations, which include the world’s largest aluminium smelter in Jharsuguda and India’s iconic aluminium producer BALCO at Korba, Chhattisgarh, are both certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) as per its rigorous performance standards. In addition, the company’s wide range of high-quality aluminium products are verified as sustainably produced by Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) International.