New Delhi, Oct 13 (KNN) There is a need for promotion of downstream industry by mother aluminum plants through MSMEs to create employment opportunity which will help developing Indian Aluminum market, said Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO.

He was speaking at the ‘National Aluminum Network Meet 2018’ that was held in the capital city Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Mines and Jawaharlal Nehru Research & Development Centre (JNRCD).

He said “In the coming 5 years, aluminium consumption in India will be doubled from existing level of 3.6 million ton to 7.2 million ton. Unless we focus on aluminium downstream unit, India will be importing around 5 billion dollar worth downstream aluminium products.”

Indian Aluminium Industry is at the high end of cost curve for production and the industry need to sustain and increase its margin by producing value added and high end downstream product, he added.

Advising the captains of aluminum industry to identify technology needed for developing aluminium alloys for downstream units, he said this technology can be developed by JNRDC and transferred from abroad through collaboration.

JNRDC can act as a catalyst and facilitator, he added.

While, inaugurating the meet, Minsitry of Mines, Additional Secretary, Dr. K. Rajeshwar Rao, appreciated NALCO for its effort in promoting downstream units and called upon all aluminium producers to create awareness about the utility of aluminium in the contemporary time.

The meet was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India functionaries, and top aluminium producers from primary, secondary and downstream sectors, technology professionals and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).