Hindalco Industries Ltd., a global leader in Aluminium and Copper, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UltraTech Cement Ltd to deliver 1.2 million metric tonnes of red mud (also known as bauxite residue) annually to UltraTech’s 14 plants located across 7 states. Hindalco is the world’s first company to achieve 100 per cent red mud utilisation across three of its refineries.
Red mud generated in the alumina manufacturing process is rich in iron oxides, along with alumina, silica and alkali. The cement industry has developed the capability to process red mud as a replacement for mined minerals such as laterite and lithomarge in its process.
Hindalco is supplying red mud to UltraTech Cement plants where it has proved to be an effective substitute for mined materials, successfully replacing up to 3% of clinker raw mix volume.
Use of red mud reduces the cement industry’s dependence on natural resources and promotes a circular economy. Hindalco’s alumina refineries are currently supplying 250,000 metric tonnes of bauxite residue to cement companies every month, making Hindalco the world’s first company to have enabled such large scale commercial application of bauxite residue.
In the current year, Hindalco aims to achieve 2.5 million metric tonnes of bauxite residue utilisation, which will be another global milestone.
Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco, said, “Hindalco has been working with cement companies to develop high-grade inputs for the construction industry. Hindalco has built a strong customer base and supplies red mud to over 40 cement plants every month. We have achieved 100% red mud utilisation at three of our refineries and our vision is to achieve zero-waste alumina production across our operations.
Hindalco’s actions underscore our commitment to embracing solutions that have the potential to deliver long-term sustainability impact and transform the future.”
Globally, 160 million metric tonnes of red mud is produced annually and stored in large tracts of land which is a serious industry challenge. To find a sustainable solution, Hindalco has invested in infrastructure and collaborated with cement companies, with UltraTech Cement being a key partner.