By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, January 9, 2017 : The Maharatna public sector National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has launched a Research & Technology Centre at Bhubaneswar to boost research initiatives, including development of new products & alloys.

“Nalco has already set a niche for itself in the field of R&D in the aluminium industry of the country. The new Research and Technology Centre of the company would further augment its efforts to meet the R&D requirements of the future and provide immense competitive benefits,” Balvinder Kumar, secretary, mines ministry said while inaugurating Nalco Research and Technology Centre (NRTC) at Gothapatana on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion Tapan Kumar Chand, chairman Nalco said: “Nalco R&D centre has already registered 29 patents of which five have been commercialised. The Nalco chief said given the need for change to ensure sustainability, the company has taken up various R&D initiatives. It has entered into an R&D Co-operation Agreement with Rio Tinto Alcan for development of technology which aims to reduce energy consumption at the smelter by about 5%.

An R&D agreement was also signed with Chalieco, China for separation of iron concentrate from Red Mud. A MoU with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai will work on R&D projects for gallium recovery from Bayer’s liquor, extraction of rare earths from red mud and other areas of mutual interest.

“Waste utilization, maximizing productivity, reduction of specific consumption, development of new products & alloys are key research areas that will complement the new business plan being put together by the company, Chand added.