The Business Bytes
Bhubaneswar & New Delhi, July 2, 2024 (TBB Bureau): Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has been honoured with the prestigious Kalinga Energy Excellence Award and Kalinga Environment Excellence Award for its alumina refinery unit at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district of Odisha. These accolades were presented by the Institute of Quality and Environment Management (IQEMS) in collaboration with the Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Institute of Public Enterprise, Hyderabad.
Vedanta’s Lanjigarh unit, a premier producer of smelter-grade alumina in India, has implemented multiple initiatives aligned with Vedanta Aluminium’s sustainability goals. These goals include achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050, Net Water Positivity by 2030, effective waste management, biodiversity restoration, and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies across operations. The company’s efforts have been recognized at the highest levels, with Vedanta Aluminium achieving top scores in the S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) rankings for the assessment period of 2023.
Commenting on the achievement, Vedanta Aluminium CEO John Slaven said, “Our success in energy efficiency and environmental conservation, driven by our commitment to sustainable operations, is reflected in our numerous accolades. Balancing increased operational efficiency with a sustainable value chain is a top priority in our decision-making process. These achievements underscore our relentless pursuit of excellence through a sustainable business model, bolstering the transformational journey of Vedanta Aluminium.”
Vedanta Aluminium’s focus on sustainability is closely aligned with national needs and global environmental goals. The company is contributing to the industry’s sustainable transformation through initiatives such as increasing the use of renewable energy sources, including biomass in boiler co-firing, deploying lithium-ion electric forklifts, and incentivizing employees to use electric vehicles. These efforts have led to a significant reduction in overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by approximately 9.3 per cent in FY24 compared to the FY21 baseline, while simultaneously increasing production by about 20 per cent.
By leveraging water reutilization and fostering a water-positive footprint through collaborative efforts with local communities and constant water-level monitoring, Vedanta Aluminium recycled over 15 billion liters of water across operations during FY24. The company has also conducted systematic assessments to identify sensitive habitats and biodiversity hotspots near its plants. Recently, Vedanta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementing nature-based solutions for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience around its operations.
Besides, Vedanta Aluminium ensures the gainful utilization of bauxite residue (a by-product of the alumina refining process) and fly ash (a by-product of the power generation process). Bauxite residue is used for activities such as road construction around operational areas and soil consolidation in wick drain development, by combining it with fly ash and supplying it as raw material to the cement industry. This has resulted in the utilization of more than 100,000 metric tonnes of red mud so far. Fly ash is supplied to the National Highway Authority of India for roadway construction and to brick manufacturing units run by local communities, thereby supplementing the income of villagers. These initiatives have led to more than 200 per cent utilization of waste in FY23.
Vedanta Aluminium’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, encompassing energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, and biodiversity preservation, highlights its commitment to creating a positive environmental impact while supporting national development goals.
