Que: What led to the formation of Runaya Eckart Aluminium Powders (REL)?

Ans: The formation of Runaya Eckart Aluminium Powders Pvt. Ltd. (REL) was driven by a clear market opportunity and the need to bring advanced technology to India’s aluminium powder industry. India’s annual consumption of aluminium powder stands at around 15,000 tonnes, accounting for nearly one-third of the Asia-Pacific demand, indicating the scale and growth potential of the market.

At the same time, a large part of the domestic market has historically been served by air-atomised aluminium powders, a technology that has largely become obsolete globally. This presented a strong opportunity to introduce gas atomised aluminium powders, which offer superior quality, consistency, and performance for a wide range of industrial applications.

Recognising this gap, the joint venture combines Runaya’s deep understanding of the Indian industrial ecosystem with Eckart’s global expertise and technological leadership in aluminium powders. The partnership aims to bring world-class manufacturing capabilities to India, cater to the growing domestic demand, and support the industry’s transition toward more advanced and efficient materials.

Que: This facility is being positioned as India’s first to manufacture green, spherical gas- atomised aluminium powders. What does this mean for India’s advanced materials ecosystem?

Ans: This facility marks a significant step towards India’s advanced materials ecosystem. Being the country’s first to manufacture green, spherical gas-atomised aluminium powders, it positions India as a key enabler for high-performance engineered materials.

Spherical gas-atomised powders are critical because the technology behind them delivers precision and efficiency. The process ensures superior particle uniformity, high purity, and consistent metallurgical properties — qualities that directly translate into better performance in sectors such as aerospace, automotive, Solar industry, ink, clean energy and effect pigments applications.

These powders offer a strong combination of high reflectivity, metallic lustre, corrosion resistance and silver white appearance. Hence, it makes them indispensable for applications where durability, and performance cannot be compromised — whether it is lightweight aerospace components, next-generation automotive systems, or renewable technologies.

Moreover, we are strengthening supply chain resilience while enabling industries to build sustainable and more energy-efficient systems. In many ways, advanced materials are the invisible backbone of sustainable innovation.

So for India, this facility is not just about producing a new material- it is about enabling precision manufacturing, elevating technological capability, and supporting the country’s clean and sustainable growth ambitions with globally competitive materials.

Que: Why was Jharsuguda, Odisha chosen as the location? What advantages does it offer in terms of raw materials, logistics, and ecosystem?

Ans: Jharsuguda, Odisha was chosen for the facility given its strong industrial ecosystem, strategic advantages and close integration with the aluminium value chain. The region has aluminium smelters, ensuring reliable access to high-quality hot metal. This proximity enables an uninterrupted supply of raw material, making the production process significantly more energy efficient while also helping reduce the overall carbon footprint. Together, these factors make it an ideal location to support advanced aluminium powder manufacturing and meet the growing demand from domestic and global markets.

Que: Could you explain the importance of spherical gas-atomised aluminium powders and how they differ from conventional aluminium powders used in industry?

Ans: Spherical gas-atomised aluminium powders represent a significant advancement over conventional aluminium powders used in industry. The core difference lies in both the process and the resulting material performance.

Gas atomisation enables highly precise control over particle morphology. The powders produced are near-perfect spheres, with high purity and consistent particle size distribution. This also allows for customised, uniform morphology, superior flowability and compatibility across a wide range of metal systems, making them ideal for additive manufacturing, advanced coatings, and high-performance components.

In contrast, conventional aluminium powders are often irregular in shape and less controlled in composition. While they are suitable for basic industrial applications, they do not deliver the same level of flowability, packing density, or metallurgical consistency required for precision manufacturing.

Que: How critical are these powders for high-growth sectors such as aviation, aerospace, space exploration, solar technologies, EVs, and additive manufacturing?

Ans: These powders are foundational to high-growth sectors such as aviation, aerospace, EVs, solar technologies, and additive manufacturing. Their high thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, reactivity, and exceptional strength-to-weight ratio make them ideal for applications where performance, energy release and efficiency are critical.

In recent years, aluminium powder has become increasingly vital in modern manufacturing technologies, particularly additive manufacturing and 3D printing, where its strength-to- weight ratio and ability to withstand high temperatures enhance the quality of complex components.

In aerospace and space exploration, they enable lightweight, precision-engineered components capable of withstanding demanding conditions. In automotive and EV manufacturing, they support the development of lighter, more energy-efficient vehicles that improve range and reduce emissions.

They are equally important in solar and clean energy systems, where material efficiency directly impacts performance.

In essence, these powders are not just supporting materials — they are enabling technologies driving innovation and sustainability across advanced industries.