By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, March 16, 2018: The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) on Friday batted for formation of Aluminium Development Council for protecting the interest of Aluminium Industry in the country.

AAI president and National Aluminium Company Ltd president and managing director, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, said, “Demand for high-strength aluminium alloy will increase by five-fold in the next 10 years.”

While showing concern over low applications of Aluminium, i.e. 300 odd applications in India as against 3000 globally used, Dr. Chand also stressed on the importance of R&D activities on various applications of Aluminium alloys in different sectors.

Speaking at the National seminar on Development of Special Alloys and Composites of Aluminium, held in Mumbai on Friday, Dr. Chand pitched for reduction of energy cost and course correction in tax structure to make this sector competitive.

Industry stalwarts in the aluminium sector, including the Consul General of Italy, senior Government officials, CEOs and Senior Executives of different organizations deliberated and stressed on a whole new world of opportunities that lie ahead for the ‘wonder metal’ at the National seminar on development of special alloys and composites of aluminium, held in Mumbai on Friday.

Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries Limited and Guest of Honour of the event raised concerns over increase in coal price affecting the energy cost. Commenting on the recent decision of the US Government’s proposal to put restrictions on imported aluminium, he said Indian Aluminium must now look for new markets in Middle East and Europe.

Ms. Stefania Costanza, Consul General Republic of Italy, Mumbai and Guest of Honour of the event, is upbeat about the prospects of knowledge sharing in Aluminium sector. She said, “Italy is second largest country in Europe in Aluminium business and we hope for more collaboration in future on a sustainable basis.”

The Chief Guest of this National Seminar, Mr. Arun Kumar, I.A.S., Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, while responding to the concerns, assured that auction route for commercial mining for coal mines will have checks and balances on the coal price, which is going to help the Aluminium industry. He also praised the involvement of Italy in the growth of Special Alloys of Aluminium.

P D Samundra, MD Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solution, India shared his long experience in particularly in Alumina and Caustic Soda.

The National Seminar, was attended by industry captains from all Primary industries and from Downstream and Ancillary industries, Aluminium Alloy manufacturers, Auto component manufacturers, Casting and Forging Industries, TKIS, HAAL, Academic and Research institutes, Research and Development organizations, like JNARDDC Nagpur, IIT Bhubaneswar, Management Consulting organizations and other academic and research institutes.