THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

KOLKATA/BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

India needs to step up aluminium production, accelerate value addition and build a stronger downstream ecosystem to bridge the nearly USD 4 billion import gap in high-finish aluminium products, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy said on Monday, pitching the Angul Aluminium Park as a key platform for advancing the country's journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Addressing an investor roadshow organised by National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) in association with Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO), Reddy said aluminium, which he described as the "Green Metal and Metal of Tomorrow", is central to India's efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.

"India currently imports nearly USD 4 billion worth of high-finish aluminium products, even with substantial domestic capacity. Bridging this gap through enhanced production, greater value addition, and a strong downstream ecosystem is a key priority," Reddy said.

He said the proposed aluminium industrial initiative would provide a platform for investors and industries to establish and expand operations, foster innovation, generate employment and strengthen India's aluminium value chain.

"Such collaborative efforts will contribute meaningfully to the larger national vision of building a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat," the minister said.

Keshav Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, said the aluminium industry needs to move beyond primary production towards greater value addition and high-value finished products.

He stressed the need for greater infusion of technology and innovation, along with stronger indigenous research and development capabilities, to manufacture high-quality products at competitive costs.

NALCO Chairman & Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said the Angul Aluminium Park is envisaged as a key platform to translate investment opportunities into industrial partnerships and create a strong, integrated downstream aluminium ecosystem around NALCO's operations in Odisha.

He acknowledged the continued support of the Ministry of Mines and the Odisha government in creating an enabling ecosystem that has helped NALCO contribute to the development of the aluminium value chain in the region.

The roadshow, held in Kolkata on Monday, brought together policymakers, industry leaders and prospective investors to explore opportunities for setting up and expanding aluminium-based manufacturing operations in Odisha.

Organised by NALCO with the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) as the event partner, the programme was attended by more than 250 representatives from the investor community, industry associations and other stakeholders.

The event placed the spotlight on Angul Aluminium Park Private Limited (AAPPL), a joint initiative of NALCO and IDCO established at Anugola in Odisha to develop a world-class destination for downstream aluminium industries.

AAPPL offers investors access to key industrial infrastructure, including industrial land, reliable power and water supply, road connectivity, and research and development and testing facilities.

A major proposition for investors is access to NALCO's hot metal, a critical raw material for downstream aluminium manufacturing. NALCO will provide 50,000 tonnes of hot metal annually at a discounted rate, providing prospective investors with a reliable raw material source and potentially improving the economics of establishing downstream manufacturing facilities.

D Prasanth Kumar Reddy, Managing Director, IDCO, said Odisha has emerged as a preferred investment destination over the last two years, driven by its proactive approach and investor-friendly policies.

Strategically located, the Angul Aluminium Park offers advantages including a molten metal corridor and ready availability of land, water and energy, he said.

The park is poised for significant expansion and will provide an enabling platform for downstream industries, value addition and MSME growth, Reddy said.

Jagdish Arora, Director (P&T), NALCO, in his welcome address, called upon investors to leverage the investor-friendly ecosystem being developed at the park, which is aimed not only at attracting investment but also at generating employment opportunities.

ASSOCHAM Co-Chairman Sanjib Kumar Patwari were among those present.

The roadshow is part of efforts to promote downstream and value-added aluminium manufacturing and deepen the industrial ecosystem around NALCO's operations in Odisha.