National Aluminum Company Limited is considered to be a turning point in the history of Indian Aluminum Industry. In a major leap forward, Nalco has not only addressed the need for self sufficiency in aluminum but has also given the country a technological edge in producing this strategic metal on the best of world standards. Nalco was incorporated in 1981 in the public sector, to exploit a part of the large deposits of bauxite discovered in the East Coast in technological collaboration with Aluminum Pechiney of France.
Nalco’s original project cost of INR 2408 crore was partly financed by 980 million US dollars, extended by a consortium of International banks. By 1998, the company not only achieved a zero debt status but is going steady with an internally funded major expansion plan involving an investment of over INR 3700 crore. With its consistent track record in capacity utilization, technology absorption, quality assurance, export performance and posting of profits, Nalco is a bright example of India’s industrial capability.
Today, as an ISO 92002 & 14001 Company, Nalco has emerged as the largest integrated bauxite alumina aluminum complex in Asia. The complex has 5 multi locational complexes in Asia. The complex has five multi location well integrated, segments viz Bauxite Mine, Alumina Refinery, Aluminum Smelter, Captive Power Plant and Port Facilities. On Panchpatmali hills of Koraput district in Odisha, a fully mechanized open cast mine of 2.4 million tonne per annum capacity is in operation since November 1985, serving feed stock to Alumina Refinery at Damanjodi located on the foothills. Under the ongoing expansion program the capacity has been expanded to 4.8 million tonne per annum.
The 8,00,000 tonne per annum Alumina Refinery having two parallel streams of equal capacity is located in the picturesque valley of Damanjodi in Koraput district. In operation since 1986, the refinery is designed to provide about 40,000 tonnes of Alumina to the company’s smelter at Angul and Export the balance of Alumina to Overseas markets through Visakhapatnam port. Presently, the capacity is being expanded to 1,575,000 tonne per annum.
The 230,000 tonne per annum capacity Aluminum smelter is located at Angul in Odisha. Based on energy efficient state of the art technology of smelting and pollution control, the smelter plant is in operation since early 1987. Presently, the capacity is being expanded to 345,000 tonne per annum. Close to the Aluminum smelter at Angul, a captive power plant of 720 MW capacity comprising 6x120 MW clusters has been established of firm supply of power to the smelter.
Presently, the capacity is being expanded to 960 MW. Nalco has established mechanized storage and ship handling facilities port. The quality assurance associated with Nalco received international acclaim with Nalco metal’s admission into London Metal Exchange in May 1989. The Company also enjoys the status of a Star Trading House and has won export awards from Capexil and EEPC year after year.
Nalco has a strong global presence. The Company today boosts of satisfied customers in more than 30 countries worldwide. In recognition of the interests of the society in securing sustainable industrial growth, Nalco assigns high importance to promotion and maintenance of a pollution free environment in all its activities. Environment Management Systems in all production units of Nalco conform to the ISO 14001 norms. The prestigious Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award achieved by the company in the year 1994 bears further testimony of Nalco’s concern for the environment. Nalco is committed to use non polluting and environment friendly technology.
The Company has adopted a policy of playing a catalytic role in improving the quality of life of the people living in peripheral villages, in collaboration with local government authorities, especially in Development, Construction and repair of roads, culvents, bathing ghats, schools and hospital buildings in the peripheral village, free medical facility at Nalco hospitals to the displaced families and extension of medical services to rural areas through health camps, digging of tube wells, bore wells and extensive financial support to rural drinking water schemes; active participation in the national literacy mission at the district level; encouragement and financial support to local sports, cultural and community welfare events social forestry, agriculture, pisciculture, health and sanitation programs with the participation of the community and govt. agencies are corporate social responsibility taken by Nalco’s Higher Management every year.
(Sourced from www.orissadiary.com)
