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Bhubaneswar, June 4 (Odisha.in) India’s second biggest producers of aluminium Nalco has planned to invest Rs. 40,000 crore expansions in India and abroad over next five years.
The Govt of India has conferred the Navratna status on National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco).
The coveted status is conferred on select Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE), which emerge as significant players in the economic development of the country, having comparative advantages and capacity to become global giants.
With this elevated status, Nalco now enjoys more managerial powers and commercial autonomy, to chart its own course in the world market.
In order to emerge as a company of global repute, Nalco has drawn ambitious growth plans involving this massive investment, the company said in a release.
These include Smelter and Power Projects in Indonesia, South Africa and Iran. Besides, the company is planning brownfield and greenfield growth projects within the country.
Brownfield Expansions :
Creditably, except for the part funding of the capital cost of the original project to the tune of Rs.1288.62 crore by way of equity, Nalco has not depended on the Government budgetary support at any point of time – not even for the Rs.3600-crore 1st phase expansion project.
Continuing with its self-propelled growth, now the 2nd phase expansion is under implementation at an investment of Rs.4092 crore, which is scheduled to be completed by 2008 end.
Unit Original Capacities After 1st Phase Expansion After 2nd Phase Expansion
Bauxite Mines 24,00,000 MT 48,00,000 MT 63,00,000 MT
Alumina Refinery 8,00,000 MT 15,75,000 MT 21,00,000 MT
Aluminium Smelter 2,30,000 MT 3,45,000 MT 4,60,000 MT
Power Plant 600 MW 960 MW 1200 MW
Now, plans are afoot for 3rd phase expansion, which is likely to entail an expenditure to the tune of Rs.6000 crore. Under this expansion, the bauxite mining capacity shall be enhanced to around 90 lakh tonnes, alumina refining to 30 lakh tonnes, aluminium smelting to 6.3 lakh tonnes and power generation to 1700 MW per annum.
Greenfield Projects :
Nalco has also plans to set up new Projects in the country.
A Mines & Refinery Complex is being planned in Andhra Pradesh. The Bauxite Mines capacity will be 42 lakh tonnes, while the refinery will have a capacity of 14 lakh tonnes.
Draft MoU is under negotiation with Govt of Andhra Pradesh. The project will involve an investment of Rs.7000 crore.
In Orissa, a Smelter & Power Complex has been planned in Ib valley in Jharsuguda District at an investment of Rs.8500 crore. This project envisages a smelter of 5 lakh tonne capacity and a coal-based power plant of 1260 MW capacity. Pre-feasibility report has been finalized by EIL.
Nalco has submitted an application for allotment of water resources, the most critical factor, to the Govt of Orissa, last month.
New Projects abroad :
At the beginning of this year, Nalco signed an MoU with the Govt of Indonesia, to set up a 5-lakh tonne Smelter and a 1250 mw Captive Power Plant in that country. Nalco plans to invest around Rs.14,000 crore in this greenfield project.
Besides, Nalco is exploring the possibilities of setting up a Smelter and Power Plant in South Africa at an investment of around Rs.16,000 crore.
In Iran, a 3.1-lakh tonne Smelter has been planned, in two phases, as a joint venture with ALPHA (in which Kerman Development Organization is the major partner). The MoU was signed in March this year. The project cost will be approximately Rs.8000 crore.
The foreign projects are not exclusive, rather these are being pursued simultaneously, with an objective that any one or two of these would be ultimately taken up on the basis of viability and time required.
Other Projects
Aluminium Park :
Nalco has plans to set up an Aluminium Park in Angul, as a joint venture with Orissa Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO). For this 500 acres of land is being acquired. Nalco & IDCO shall take care of basics like infrastructure, communication and power supply.
The proposed upstream industries shall go for products like Caustic Soda, Aluminium Fluoride, CT Pitch and CP Coke; while downstream industries shall explore the possibilities of Castings, Extrusions, Aluminium Conductor, Aluminium Plates & Rounds, besides other products.
Aluminium Wagons :
At the same time, Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Nalco have entered into an agreement to collaborate for the production of aluminium rail wagons.
Aluminium rail coaches and metro coaches shall be taken up subsequently. As per the agreement, the products would be jointly developed by these two leading PSUs and Nalco would supply the aluminium extrusions after conversion from its billets and ingots through a third party.
The aluminium wagons and coaches have several advantages like light weight, higher carrying capacity, environment friendliness, lower life cycle cost etc.
Cement Plant :
Expression of Interest has been invited from competent parties to set up a cement plant based on fly ash of Nalco’s power plant at Angul. Offers of two bidders, Sree Cement and Cement Manufacturing Company have been found acceptable and these two have been shortlisted for joint venture.
The project will involve an investment of Rs.300 crore. Bidders need mining lease for limestone in Orissa to go ahead with the project and have submitted applications.
In addition to all these, several projects are in the pipeline at various stages aimed at backward integration to ensure smooth and economic sourcing of raw materials.
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