The Business Bytes
New Delhi, July 11, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has announced a significant expansion of its electric lithium-ion forklift fleet to 66 units, further cementing its position as the largest operator of such forklifts in the country. This strategic move underscores the company’s dedication to sustainable practices and its ongoing decarbonization journey.
In a recent deployment, Vedanta Aluminium introduced 22 additional electric forklifts at its Jharsuguda smelter operations in Odisha. This initiative is a testament to the company’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing operational efficiency.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, emphasized the importance of this development, stating, “At Vedanta Aluminium, sustainability is a business imperative. We continuously adopt innovative practices to enhance our operational excellence. The deployment of 66 electric lithium-ion forklifts marks a milestone in accelerating our transition to a Net Zero future.”
The electric forklifts, now operational at Vedanta’s units in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, as well as at the BALCO smelter in Chhattisgarh, boast advanced features like faster and safer battery charging. This innovation not only improves operational efficiency but also significantly reduces carbon emissions. Vedanta Aluminium projects that these forklifts will cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,500 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually and save over 840,000 litres of diesel per year.
Vedanta Aluminium has set an ambitious goal to decarbonize 100 per cent of its light motor vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030. This commitment highlights the company’s proactive approach to integrating emerging technologies and sustainable practices into its operations. As a pioneer in sustainable material handling, Vedanta Aluminium’s expanded fleet of electric forklifts marks a crucial step towards achieving its Net Zero by 2050 objective.
To fulfil this commitment, Vedanta Aluminium is implementing a two-pronged strategy: enhancing operational excellence and increasing the use of renewable energy, while also offsetting its carbon footprint through extensive afforestation efforts. The company’s initiatives are geared towards enabling global access to responsibly produced, high-quality aluminium, ensuring a greener future for the planet.
Vedanta Aluminium, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest aluminium producer, contributing over half of the nation’s aluminium output with 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. The company is renowned for its value-added aluminium products that serve critical applications in various core industries. Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to sustainable development is reflected in its top ranking in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium industry. With state-of-the-art smelters, refineries, and power plants, Vedanta Aluminium is leading the charge in promoting aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a sustainable tomorrow.
