Que: Could you elaborate on the key takeaways from Vedanta Aluminium’s FY25 ESG Report?

Ans: Our ESG report this year brings to light a few key achievements. We have taken decisive steps to decarbonise our operations, achieving an 8.96 percent reduction in carbon intensity since FY21. Our strategy combines clean energy transition, product innovation, and operational excellence. Further, we plan to source around 1,500 MW of renewable power through green agreements by 2030, aligning with India’s Net Zero 2070 target and meeting the growing demand for low-carbon aluminium.

On the operations front, we have introduced energy-efficient technologies, including 100 percent graphitisation of cathode linings and copper insert relining at BALCO, reducing energy use by up to 0.40 MWh per MT of aluminium. As for technology, we are deploying Industrial IoT and LME Passport systems for real-time emissions monitoring and product traceability, supported by internal shadow carbon pricing to guide responsible investment.

In FY 2024 25 alone, we recycled approximately 16.79 million m3 of water and restored more than 60 community water bodies and advancing the cause of water stewardship in local communities. Our community development initiatives have impacted more than 7 lakh lives, thus creating an increase in employment opportunities and overall quality of life. On the climate front, we have also implemented several carbon reduction and biodiversity projects with PwC, which involves, for example, the distribution of cleaner cook stoves and restoring native forests, working closely with communities.

Que: Vedanta Aluminium plans to procure ~1,500 MW of renewable energy by 2030 through PPAs. What is the roadmap for scaling clean energy?

Ans: We have taken bold steps toward decarbonising our operations, with a plan to procure around 1,500 MW of renewable power through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by 2030. In FY25 alone, we consumed 1.57 billion units of renewable energy, the highest in India’s aluminium sector, significantly reducing our Scope 2 emissions. We are also advancing clean fuel adoption, including biomass co-firing (3,941 MT), solar-powered systems replacing diesel generators, and transitioning our alumina refinery to natural gas.

Our energy transition roadmap is designed to balance reliability with sustainability, ensuring uninterrupted operations while progressively lowering our carbon footprint. We are further promoting clean mobility through the deployment of 142 electric forklifts across our operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh. This is expected to eliminate approximately 4,450 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions annually and reduce diesel consumption by 16.3 lakh litres each year.

Que: How is Vedanta Aluminium integrating circularity across the entire value chain?

Ans: Under our Waste-to-Wealth initiative, we are transforming industrial by-products into valuable resources through innovation and technology. We have achieved 100 percent fly ash utilisation and recycled over 14 million tonnes of waste, repurposing fly ash and red mud for use in the cement and infrastructure sectors, thereby reducing landfill dependency and enabling greener construction. Using our patented recovery technology, we extract >99 percent pure graphite from spent pot liners and aluminium fluoride (AlF₃) from dross slag, turning hazardous waste into high-value inputs.

We have implemented a Resource Use and Waste Management Standard that guides waste prevention, recovery, and recycling across operations. Our Ash Control Tower (ACT) at BALCO uses real-time AI-based monitoring and supplied over 4 MMT of fly ash for construction and co-processing. We also collaborate with the Ministry of Mines, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and BIS to promote circularity and responsible material use, setting a national benchmark in resource efficiency and proving that sustainability and industrial growth can go hand in hand.

Que: What differentiates your products, Restora and Restora Ultra, technically and environmentally, from conventional aluminium?

Ans: Restora and Restora Ultra are Vedanta Aluminium’s low-carbon and ultra-low-carbon product ranges, engineered to deliver the same high metallurgical quality as conventional aluminium while dramatically lowering emissions. Technically, Restora is produced in our worldclass smelters using a significantly higher share of renewable power and efficiency-enhancing technologies, giving it a verified greenhouse gas intensity well below 4 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of aluminium.

Environmentally, Restora Ultra goes a step further by recovering aluminium from dross and achieving one of the lowest carbon footprints globally while supporting a zero-waste and a circular value chain.

Que: What role do emerging technologies like AI, IoT, digital twins, and robotics play in decarbonising your operations? Are you partnering with any startups in this domain?

Ans: Emerging technologies play a critical role in Vedanta Aluminium’s decarbonization journey by improving efficiency, stability and emissions control across operations. AI, IIoT and digital twin technologies are being deployed across smelting, power and refining assets to optimise energy consumption, enable predictive maintenance and reduce GHG intensity, while IoT-based sensors provide real-time monitoring of emissions, water systems and material flows. Robotics and AI-enabled drones are used for inspections, hazardous-area monitoring and mining inventory management, improving safety and asset reliability while minimising losses and unplanned downtime. Together, these digital interventions help lower energy intensity, reduce waste and support a more data-driven, low-carbon operating model.

Que: What are the top three sustainability milestones for Vedanta Aluminium over the next five years?

Ans: In the next 3-5 years, we aim to enhance our decarbonisation efforts through enhanced energy efficiency, wider adoption of natural gas, and the integration of large-scale renewable power. By 2030, we aim for 30 percent of our product portfolio to comprise low- and ultra-low-carbon aluminium, alongside continued innovation in climate-resilient operations. Looking ahead to 2040 and beyond, our roadmap is anchored in achieving Net Zero Carbon operations and Net Zero by 2050, Net Water Positivity by 2030, and ensuring No Net Loss of biodiversity, reaffirming our role as a catalyst for sustainable industrial transformation.