Vedanta Aluminium leads green industrial revolution with bold sustainability drive

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 4, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, is spearheading a transformative sustainability journey that is positioning it as a global leader in responsible industrial practices. With a sharp focus on decarbonization and energy transition, the company is weaving innovation and ambition into its operations to pave the way for a low-carbon future.

A cornerstone of this transformation is Vedanta Aluminium’s robust renewable energy strategy, underpinned by a long-term partnership with Serentica Renewables. Through this collaboration, the company is sourcing 1,335 MW of green power to energize its large-scale operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. This initiative is a significant step toward Vedanta’s goal of meeting 30% of its power requirements through renewables by 2030, aligning with its broader ambition of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Beyond renewable energy, Vedanta is investing in cleaner fuels and innovative technologies. In partnership with GAIL (India) Limited, the company is adopting natural gas as a low-emission energy source for its casthouse operations. Additionally, it is leveraging biomass co-firing at its Lanjigarh alumina refinery and BALCO smelter, using agricultural residue-based briquettes to cut carbon emissions. At Lanjigarh, the daily use of 20 tonnes of biomass is reducing more than 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, while also boosting rural livelihoods by creating a market for crop waste.

Vedanta Aluminium is also setting new benchmarks in sustainable mobility. It has pledged to fully decarbonize its light motor vehicle fleet by 2030 and has already introduced the country’s first 10-ton electric forklift at its Jharsuguda plant. The company now operates India’s largest fleet of lithium-ion electric forklifts, slashing diesel usage across its facilities. Furthering this transition, Vedanta has partnered with Let’s DriEV to promote electric vehicle adoption among employees and residents in its township. Simultaneously, the company is piloting the use of biodiesel in its commercial vehicle fleet, exploring innovative fuel alternatives to drive down emissions.

What makes Vedanta’s sustainability model unique is its deep-rooted integration with community development. Through environmental awareness campaigns on occasions like World Environment Day and the International Day for Biological Diversity, Vedanta actively engages local communities in its mission, nurturing a culture of grassroots sustainability.

These efforts have not gone unnoticed. Vedanta Aluminium was ranked second in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 among global aluminium producers. Its smelters are certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative for sustainable performance, and its products have earned Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) verification for their green manufacturing credentials.

Vedanta Aluminium’s holistic approach — spanning renewable energy adoption, fuel innovation, green logistics, and community empowerment — offers a powerful blueprint for sustainable industrial growth. As the world intensifies its fight against climate change, Vedanta is leading by example, proving that environmental stewardship and economic progress can go hand in hand.