THEBUSINESSBTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 28, 2026
On National Science Day, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium
producer, highlighted its commitment to advancing India’s scientific and
technological progress through research-driven manufacturing, digital
innovation, and applied engineering across its operations. The company’s
integrated scientific workforce, including metallurgists, chemists, process
engineers, data scientists, and digital specialists, alongside over 800 women
professionals working in core scientific, technical, digital, and engineering
roles, who constitute 20% of its total workforce in scientific and technical
positions, is contributing to India’s growing innovation ecosystem.
These professionals are leading advancements in resource-efficient
refining, materials science, energy optimisation, sustainable mining practices,
industrial AI, and digital manufacturing. A notable breakthrough is the company’s
proprietary refining process that reduces bauxite residue generation by 30%,
enhances alumina recovery, and strengthens sustainable refining practices. The
company is also conducting a pioneering research programme with ICAR-CTCRI to
convert red mud into a nutrient-rich growth medium for land restoration and
ecological rejuvenation. Digital transformation initiatives, including
AI-enabled process optimisation, predictive maintenance, remote operations, and
machine-learning-driven monitoring, are central to its scientific drive. At the
core of these efforts is Vedanta Aluminium’s dedicated Research and Development
ecosystem, which enables the company to co-create innovative, customised
product and process solutions in collaboration with customers, academic
institutions, and research partners.
This year’s National Science Day theme, “Women in Science: Catalysing
Viksit Bharat,” underscores the essential role of women in India’s scientific
and industrial future. Aligning with this vision, Vedanta Aluminium has
steadily expanded women’s participation across critical functions. They are
leading entire smelter lines, locomotive operations, power plant units,
firefighting teams, security squads, instrumentation teams, and key roles in
process engineering and industrial automation. These efforts, supported by the
company’s commitment to 20% gender diversity by 2030, reinforce its focus on
building a capable and inclusive scientific workforce that aligns with India’s
development priorities.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “As India moves confidently
towards Viksit Bharat, science and technology will determine the pace of our
progress. At Vedanta Aluminium, we are harnessing innovation, research and
modern engineering to enable sustainable development across our operations. The
passion and expertise of our teams, including the growing number of women
leading complex technical functions across our plants, help us build resilience
and gives us competitive advantage in the industrial ecosystem.”
As the nation accelerates towards a knowledge-driven, industrial future,
Vedanta Aluminium remains focused on driving research, technology development,
and inclusive talent pathways that contribute meaningfully to India’s
industrial growth, environmental stewardship, and global competitiveness.
