The iconic aluminium
producer is the first Indian company to be awarded this certification
Bharat Aluminium Company
Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta
Aluminium, has achieved the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance
Standard V3 Certification for the manufacture and supply of a wide range of primary
aluminium products at its facility in Korba, Chhattisgarh. This includes a
smelter with two potlines for producing molten aluminium (hot metal), three
casthouses for shaping the aluminium, a rolled product plant and a power
generation plant. Together, they contribute to an annual production capacity of
575,000 tonnes at BALCO.
BALCO produces aluminium
wire rods, ingots, primary foundry alloys and rolled products, as well as
India’s first low carbon aluminium range Restora. They find applications in several
sectors including automobiles, infrastructure, insulations, power projects,
electrical and packaging. It has emerged as the first Indian company to achieve
the ASI Performance Standard V3 Certification. Previously, Vedanta Aluminium
has also achieved the ASI Performance Standard V2 Certification for its smelter
and captive power plant located within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at
Jharsuguda, Odisha, India.
The ASI Certification
program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation
process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard
initiative for the global aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard
V3 (2022) was launched in May 2022 following a multi-year revision process. It
defines 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability pillars -
Environment, Social, and Governance - with the aim to address sustainability
areas in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, indigenous peoples’
rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions. The independent, third-party
audit of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) was carried out by CETIZION
Verifica.
Mr
John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “We welcome BALCO’s
inclusion in the esteemed ASI membership and its Certification against the ASI
Performance Standard V3, which includes the production of our low-carbon
‘green’ aluminium Restora and Restora Ultra brands. As India’s iconic aluminium
producer, BALCO has pioneered sustainable processes across every step of the
aluminium value chain, establishing itself as a benchmark within the global
industry. The certification comes as a reiteration of our continuous commitment
to responsible production practices, and ignites in our teams a renewed focus
on exploring new ways to harness aluminium's boundless potential towards
building a sustainable world.”
Dr.
Fiona Solomon, CEO, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative,
said, "We congratulate Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) on
achieving Performance Standard Certification V3 (2022) for its integrated
aluminium production facilities in Chhattisgarh. As a large aluminium producer
in India and a part of Vedanta Limited - Aluminium Business, BALCO plays an
important role in the global aluminium industry. This certification marks a
notable milestone in BALCO's sustainability journey and demonstrates its
commitment to adopting practices that meet a broad range of environmental,
social and governance criteria.”
Vedanta Aluminium, of which
BALCO is a part, is adopting a multi-pronged approach to achieve Net Zero by
2050, by setting clear timelines to mitigate emissions, deploying cutting-edge
carbon reduction technologies, greater usage of renewables, and supporting
grassroots climate resilience initiatives among local communities. Striking a
balance between ecological needs and business requirements, the company
achieved an impressive 28% reduction in its greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity in
FY23 from a FY12 baseline, while also enhancing production three-fold during
the same period.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business
of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing
more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a
leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in
core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate
Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a
reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its
world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the
company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as
the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. www.vedantaaluminium.com
