Bhubaneswar/Dubai (Economy India): State-owned National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has signed a technology licensing agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for the deployment of EGA’s UAE-developed DX+ Ultra aluminium smelting technology for NALCO’s 0.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) brownfield smelter expansion project at Anugola in Odisha.
The agreement, signed in Dubai, marks a major milestone in NALCO’s expansion programme and is aimed at improving productivity, energy performance and the company’s global competitiveness.
The proposed expansion will add around 0.5 MTPA of aluminium production capacity, taking NALCO towards an overall aluminium production capacity of approximately 1 million tonnes per annum.
NALCO-EGA Technology Partnership
The Technology Licensing Agreement was signed in the presence of Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, NALCO, and Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO, EGA.
NALCO Director (Projects & Technical) Jagdish Arora and Director (Finance) Abhay Kumar Behuria were also present at the signing ceremony.
Under the agreement, EGA will provide NALCO with the DX+ Ultra technology licence, know-how, designs and technical information, along with technical support during different stages of project implementation.
0.5 MTPA Brownfield Expansion at Anugola
The technology will be deployed for NALCO’s proposed 0.5 million TPA brownfield expansion at its existing aluminium smelter facility in Anugola, Odisha.
Unlike a greenfield project, a brownfield expansion builds upon an existing industrial facility and infrastructure. The expansion is expected to significantly increase NALCO’s aluminium production capacity while leveraging its existing operational ecosystem.
Once the expansion is completed, NALCO expects to move towards an overall aluminium production capacity of around 1 MTPA.
DX+ Ultra Technology to Focus on Efficiency
EGA’s DX+ Ultra is a high-amperage aluminium smelting technology designed to support higher productivity and improved energy performance.
NALCO expects the adoption of the technology to help develop an efficient and competitive smelter while optimising both capital and operating costs.
The technology partnership is therefore expected to play an important role in the operational performance of the expanded facility.
NALCO Targets Stronger Global Competitiveness
The agreement is part of NALCO’s broader expansion strategy aimed at strengthening its position as a globally competitive aluminium producer.
NALCO CMD Brijendra Pratap Singh said the adoption of EGA’s advanced technology would help the Anugola expansion emerge as one of India’s more efficient aluminium smelters.
The company said the project would also contribute to strengthening India’s aluminium ecosystem and supporting the country’s economic growth while promoting greater environmental efficiency.
Boost for India’s Aluminium Ecosystem
The expansion comes at a time when aluminium demand is being supported by sectors including infrastructure, transportation, renewable energy, electrical equipment and other strategic industries.
Increasing domestic production capacity could help NALCO respond to growing demand while strengthening India’s position in the global aluminium value chain.
The Anugola expansion is also expected to enhance NALCO’s scale and technological capabilities as the company works towards its 1 MTPA aluminium production ambition.
Odisha to Gain from Major Industrial Expansion
NALCO’s expansion at Anugola is significant for Odisha’s industrial economy as well.
The project is expected to strengthen the state’s aluminium and metals ecosystem and support activity across related areas including industrial services, logistics, power and downstream manufacturing.
The technology partnership with EGA also brings an international dimension to NALCO’s expansion programme, combining Indian industrial capacity with UAE-developed aluminium smelting technology.
A Key Step Towards 1 MTPA Aluminium Capacity
The agreement represents a significant step in NALCO’s long-term growth strategy.
With the proposed addition of 0.5 MTPA, NALCO is moving towards an overall aluminium production capacity of about 1 MTPA.
The company expects the expansion to improve productivity and energy performance while strengthening its competitiveness in the global aluminium industry.
(Economy India)
