Advancements in making aluminium production eco-friendly, Vedanta's innovative approach

The generation of Spent Pot Lining (SPL), a byproduct of aluminium smelting, amounted to 1.45 mnt, in 2020. To further enhance sustainability, Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, recently unveiled a breakthrough in the lining design of its smelting pots.

This patented "Vedanta Lining Design" is proven to increase energy efficiency and extend the lifespan of smelting pots, resulting in a significant reduction of 200 to 250 KWh/t of aluminium produced. Following a successful year-long trial, Vedanta plans to implement the innovative lining design across its smelters, including the prominent facilities in Jharsuguda and Korba.

The deployment is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 3.86 lakh tCO2e per annum, a crucial step in Vedanta Aluminium's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This move aligns with their position as India's leading aluminium producer, manufacturing over half of the country's aluminium, totalling 2.29 mnt in FY23.

Meanwhile, the global aluminium industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, primarily fuelled by coal and natural gas. To address this, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) proposes four key strategies to achieve net-zero aluminium production: improving material and resource efficiency, maximising secondary production, transitioning to low-carbon power sources, and adopting near-zero-emission refining and smelting technologies.

A promising approach to reducing carbon emissions involves efficient waste management and maximising secondary production. Companies like Hindalco in India are collaborating with UltraTech Cement to use bauxite residue as an input material. In the UAE, EGA is working on a pilot plant with the University of Queensland to convert bauxite residue into soil products. Additionally, Hydro Alunorte and Wave Aluminium are partnering in Brazil to build a bauxite residue processing plant.