Vedanta Aluminium partners with ICAR-CTCRI to transform red mud into a sustainable farming solution

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JULY 18, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has entered into a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI). This collaboration aims to revolutionize sustainable agriculture and afforestation by harnessing red mud, a significant industrial by-product from the bauxite refining process.

This pioneering initiative seeks to repurpose red mud into a nutrient-rich growth medium, turning it into an essential resource for agricultural cultivation, soil restoration, and the afforestation of former red mud disposal sites. By combining scientific research and industrial expertise, the partnership aims to enhance soil fertility, improve crop yields, and support large-scale ecological restoration, effectively converting a major environmental challenge into an opportunity for greener growth across India.

While red mud has already been repurposed in sectors such as construction and cement, Vedanta Aluminium is now focused on transforming it into thriving agricultural ecosystems. The MoU was signed in the presence of the Honourable Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, and witnessed by a distinguished team of ICAR-CTCRI scientists, led by Dr. Byju, Director of ICAR-CTCRI, and supported by Dr. V. Ramesh, Dr. M. Nedunchezhiyan, and Dr. P. Sethuraman Sivakumar—each contributing significant expertise and a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture in India.

Underscoring its significance in the long-term, Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “This collaboration, among many other circular economy initiatives at Vedanta, reflects our steadfast commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. By combining Vedanta’s industrial scale and ICAR-CTCRI’s agricultural expertise, we’re transforming a waste material into an environmental asset. This is the beginning of a true ‘Red to Green’ revolution, where industrial by-products like red mud are repurposed for ecological and economic growth.”

Dr. Byju, Director of ICAR-CTCRI, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “This collaboration represents a major milestone, combining our robust agricultural research with Vedanta’s industrial capabilities. Together, we are committed to delivering innovative, scalable, and eco-friendly solutions that will benefit farmers, communities, and the environment alike.”

Vedanta Aluminium has already made strides in improving the sustainability of aluminium production. The company has developed a breakthrough process that reduces red mud generation by 30% during alumina refining, while increasing alumina yield and reducing energy consumption. This innovation, developed in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and supported by Vedanta’s Lanjigarh unit in Odisha, is a significant step toward greater resource efficiency.

Vedanta is the first company in India to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD), fully recycling water from bauxite residue slurry. The dried residue is securely stored in a scientifically managed Bauxite Residue Reservoir, preventing groundwater contamination. In a further pioneering effort, Vedanta established India’s first Bauxite Residue Processing Plant, further advancing its commitment to sustainable industrial practices.