Press Releases

BALCO Partners with Shree Cement Limited to supply 90,000 metric tonnes of fly ash for cement production

Balconagar, May 11th, 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s iconic aluminium producer and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shree Cement Limited. This partnership facilitates the dispatch of fly ash from BALCO to Shree Cement Limited to produce low-carbon cement. The agreement involves supplying 90,000 metric tonnes of fly ash, facilitating a significant collaboration for the sustainable utilization of fly ash in the cement industry, thereby promoting circular economy avenues.

Fly ash is a by-product of thermal power generation which has significant potential for beneficial reuse across multiple industries. Utilizing fly ash in cement manufacturing can save approximately 500 kg of carbon emissions, 3.2 million GJ of energy, and 250 litres of water per ton. This practice will contribute to the adoption of sustainable methods within the cement industry, fostering a collaborative approach towards the responsible management of fly ash across industries.

Fly ash finds application in diverse realms such as brick manufacturing, road construction, infrastructure projects, and agriculture. In alignment with BALCO’s commitment to ‘Transform the Planet’, the company has been actively supplying fly ash to various industries, encompassing brick and cement plants, road and infrastructure projects, mines, and more. In FY24 alone, BALCO has supplied more than 4 million metric tonnes of fly ash to support these sectors. These efforts have culminated in a remarkable 141% ash utilization, highlighting our commitment to maximizing resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO, BALCO, highlighted the significance of the collaboration with Shree Cement Limited, stating, “At BALCO, we are dedicated to promoting circular economy avenues to minimize, recycle, and repurpose industrial byproducts, reflecting our steadfast commitment of ‘Transforming for Good’. We recognize the increasing demand for sustainable solutions across industries. Fly ash has emerged as a sustainable raw material to many industries, offering valuable environmental and economic benefits. Redirecting our fly ash as a raw material drives economic growth and reflects our shared responsibility for sustainability.”

Mr. Sanjay Mehta, Chief Procurement Officer from Shree Cement Limited, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the mutual benefits it brings. “Partnering with BALCO aligns with our commitment to sustainable practices. Using fly ash in cement production reduces pressure on the finitely available natural resources, cuts carbon emissions and promotes circular economy. This partnership will add to our efforts at sustainably sourcing alternative raw material for our operations. We aim to expand such collaborative efforts in the future.”Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 51% by Vedanta Limited and 49% by the Government of India. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its sustainable development practices. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is also a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfills its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.