National Aluminium Network Meet 2018:“Focus should shift towards downstream industries to meet higher aluminium demand and consumption”: Dr. Chand 

In the coming 5 years, aluminium consumption in India will be doubled from existing level of 3.6 million ton to 7.2 million ton. Unless we focus on aluminium downstream unit, India will be importing around 5 billion dollar worth downstream aluminium products,” said Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO. He expressed this while addressing the National Aluminium Network Meet 2018, held at New Delhi, under the aegis of Ministry of Mines and Jawaharlal Nehru Research & Development Centre (JNRCD). “Moreover, Indian Aluminium Industry is at the high end of cost curve for production and the industry need to sustain and increase its margin by producing value added and high end downstream products,” added Dr. Chand.

Further, Dr. Chand underscored the need for promotion of downstream industry by mother aluminium plants through MSMEs to create employment opportunity which will help developing Indian Aluminium market. In this context he advised the captains of Aluminium industry to identify technology needed for developing aluminium alloys for downstream units. This technology can be developed by JNRDC and transferred from abroad through collaboration. JNRDC can act as a catalyst and facilitator. Dr. K. Rajeshwar Rao, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, while inaugurating the Meet appreciated NALCO for its effort in promoting downstream units and called upon all aluminium producers to create awareness about the utility of aluminium in the contemporary time.

The meet was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India functionaries, top aluminium producers from primary, secondary and downstream sectors, technology professionals and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).