The Aluminium Association of India (AAI), the apex body representing aluminium producers in India, has submitted its pre-budget representation to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

It emphasises aluminium’s crucial role in India’s continued growth, especially as the nation envisions becoming a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047. High aluminium usage is an established marker of advanced economies, given the metal’s extensive use in both present and futuristic applications. This has led several nations like USA, Malaysia and Indonesia to designate aluminium as a ‘strategic sector’.

As per industry estimates, India’s per capita consumption of aluminium is still around 3kg per annum, compared to the global average of 12kg. However, the sector is facing major challenges in attracting fresh investments, despite domestic demand for aluminium set to reach 10 MTPA by 2030. So far, the Indian aluminium industry has invested over USD 20 billion, to expand production capacity to 4.2 MTPA to meet the growing demand. However, a further investment of about USD 40 billion over the next 6 years will be needed to meet the expected demand of 10 MTPA, while also creating more jobs within India.

AAI states that given that aluminium is a strategic metal with extensive usage in defence, aerospace and sunrise sectors of renewables, electric vehicles, power transmission and sustainable infrastructure, it is paramount for India to be self-sufficient in aluminium production. Towards encouraging fresh investments, aluminium producers have requested the Central Government to safeguard the industry from surging imports.

The industry body states that over the past couple of years, imports of primary aluminium have doubled while there has also been a significant surge in low-quality scrap and downstream products, especially from China.

Industry members have highlighted that the influx of imports in the domestic market is a deterrent to making new investments in the sector, even when India has all the necessary ingredients to emerge as a global aluminium hub. According to them, the primary reason for the surge in imports is the low import duties on primary/downstream products and a prevalent duty difference between primary goods and scrap in aluminium. This is unlike other key non-ferrous metals, where the duty for scrap and primary is at par.

AAI states it is therefore requesting the Central Government to help ensure the nation’s self-sufficiency and attract new investments by increasing the import duty on primary/downstream products to 10 percent from the existing 7.5 percent. Additionally, to control cheap imports, the duty on aluminium scrap also needs to be set at 7.5 percent, at par with other aluminium products. This measure would encourage the recycling of domestic scrap and limit the influx of low-quality foreign scrap, helping strengthen the circular economy.

To ensure global competitiveness, it is essential that policies nurture a sustainable environment, fostering growth for the domestic industry while positioning India as a leader in the global market. This will provide some relief to the industry, already burdened by high tax and regulatory charges.

At present, the industry incurs around 17 percent of its cost of production in taxes, levies, and regulatory compliance charges. To ease this burden, the AAI has proposed an urgent rationalising of duties on crucial raw materials.

The domestic aluminium industry’s existing investments in capacity have led to the creation of over 800,000 direct and indirect jobs and spurred the development of more than 4,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in remote regions, particularly in the downstream sector. According to the AAI, the additional investment of USD 40 billion to meet domestic demand would align with the Prime Minister's vision for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, while also creating 2 million livelihood opportunities across the country. With government support in the form of duty rationalisation and enhanced import restrictions, the domestic producers are confident of contributing to India's journey toward self-reliance.

Representational image courses: Victor Kovshevny/Flickr

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

American manufacturer of petroleum and speciality chemical additives Afton Chemical Corporation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a driveline and industrial additive manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, India.

The plant will be operated by Afton's partner, LSR Speciality Oils and is scheduled to begin commercial production in the first half of 2028.

The facility expands Afton Chemical's production footprint in India, building upon existing manufacturing operations for engine oil and off-road additives, while complementing capacity investments at the company's Singapore site. Once operational, the Maharashtra plant will supply additives to markets across ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America and the Middle East.

Brian Paliotti, President, Afton Chemical, said, "Afton Chemical has been a trusted global supplier in the lubricant and fuel additives industry for more than 100 years. Providing our customers with a secure, reliable supply of high-quality products remains one of our highest priorities. This new facility will strengthen our manufacturing network, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve service for customers around the world."

Chris Dudding, Vice-President of Supply, Afton Chemical, said, "As our industry continues to evolve, Afton remains committed to investing in the assets, capabilities, and partnerships needed to remain a trusted long-term supplier of performance additives. This investment reflects our confidence in the future of the industry and our commitment to helping customers succeed for decades to come."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Honda Motor Co., has announced a USD 3 billion investment to build an automobile manufacturing plant in Central Ohio, increasing its US automobile production capacity to approximately 1.3 million vehicles per year and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Production at the new facility, located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville plants, is expected to begin in 2029 pending regulatory approvals.

The new facility will feature a planned annual production capacity of 240,000 units, capable of assembling hybrid, petrol and battery-electric vehicles. The project forms part of a series of manufacturing investments across operations in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia designed to expand production of hybrid-electric vehicles and powertrains, expanding Honda's total North American vehicle assembly capacity to 1.9 million units annually.

The expansion supports the Japanese automotive major’s global plan to introduce 15 hybrid models by 2030. Additional network initiatives include retooling the Alabama Auto Plant to produce a V6 hybrid engine, retooling the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio for a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and expanding hybrid system assembly at transmission facilities in Ohio and Georgia to increase Ohio hybrid system output by 250 percent. Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario, will also undergo retooling for hybrid model and engine assembly.

Bob Nelson, Executive Vice-President of American Honda Motor Co., said, "As Honda approaches 50 years of building products close to our customers in America, we are making one of the most significant commitments in our history to position Honda for the next 50 years. These investments strengthen America’s role as a cornerstone of Honda’s global future and reflect our confidence in our more than 30,000 Honda associates and the strength of American manufacturing. By expanding our comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and contribute to the economic vitality of the communities where we operate."

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, said, "Honda's leadership could have chosen to build this plant anywhere in the world, but they chose Ohio because there are so many advantages to being here. For almost half a century, Honda and Ohio have grown together, and generations of families have built their careers on Honda's manufacturing lines. Today's announcement isn't just an investment in a new facility - it's an investment in Ohio's people and Ohio's future."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hindustan Zinc Limited has signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the ZnAL Confluence 2026 in Jaipur to advance the development of its proposed Zinc Industrial Park at Khankhala in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

The MoUs were executed with industrial partners including Gainwell Commosales, Epiroc Mining India, Sai Deepa Rock Drills, Shree Nakoda Infrasteel, Suryakiran Earthmovers, J.G. Chemicals, EPCM Service & Supply, Jasta Alloys, Jammu Pigments and Ampex Energies.

The participating entities intend to set up manufacturing, engineering and service operations connected to zinc and allied value chains. The proposed park, developed in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), provides developed industrial land, access to a share of Hindustan Zinc's metal output, and research capabilities from the company's Centre of Excellence.

The park infrastructure supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with investment entry levels starting from INR 50 million, covering sectors such as galvanising, die-casting, zinc alloys, zinc oxide and wire manufacturing.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "Zinc Park is a strategic initiative that reflects our long-term vision of building a globally competitive downstream ecosystem for zinc-based industries in India. The growing confidence of industry partners, across manufacturing, engineering and services, shows the strength of the proposition. Through assured ecosystem support, renewable energy integration and strong collaborations, we aim to enable MSME growth, create local employment and strengthen domestic manufacturing."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

German robotics supplier Dürr has delivered its 20,000th painting robot, an EcoRP4 generation model, to Ford's manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain. The milestone unit operates in a primer station on the exterior application line for the Ford Kuga following its installation in August 2026.

The EcoRP4 L033L/R robot functions alongside the EcoBell4 rotary atomiser to apply primer to vehicle bodies. The platform features a simplified mechanical design with fewer components to lower lifecycle costs and streamline maintenance compared to previous generations, while supporting floor-mounted, tower and linear-rail configurations.

At the Ford plant, the system operates with the EcoMCC3 A/B colour changer, the EcoBell4 Pro 2x1K atomiser, and high-transfer-efficiency application process technology to reduce material consumption, overspray and volatile organic compound emissions.

Marcus Treppschuh, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Dürr, said, "The 20,000th painting robot from Dürr represents decades of experience in automated painting. The fact that this milestone has been reached with one of the first models from our new EcoRP4 generation underlines our commitment to consistently combining innovation and proven technology."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!