Hindalco Industries, a global metals powerhouse and the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, has announced a monumental investment of Rs 45,000 crore (approximately $ 542.17 million) in its aluminium, copper, and specialty alumina businesses within India. This significant financial commitment, unveiled by Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, underscores the company's dedication to strengthening its position as a leader in the global metals industry and driving innovation across key sectors.

The announcement, made during a company event in Mumbai, highlighted Hindalco's focus on expanding its capacity and capabilities in response to the growing demand for sustainable and high-tech metal solutions. A key component of this investment will be the establishment of India's first copper foil manufacturing facility dedicated to electric vehicles (EVs).

"We are committing Rs 45,000 crore across the aluminium, copper and specialty alumina businesses," stated Kumar Mangalam Birla, emphasizing the company's commitment to bolstering India's metal infrastructure. This substantial investment will not only enhance Hindalco's production capacity but also drive technological advancements across its operations.

Beyond EVs, Hindalco is also making significant strides in renewable energy. The company has pioneered a 100-MW renewable energy solution in Odisha for aluminium smelting, integrating wind, solar, and pumped hydro storage to ensure a stable and continuous power supply. This innovative approach demonstrates Hindalco's commitment to sustainable practices and reducing its carbon footprint.

Hindalco's vision extends to various high-growth sectors, including renewable energy, energy storage, semiconductors, high-end electronics, and defense. In the automotive sector, the company is actively developing lighter, more fuel-efficient, and EV-ready vehicles, including the design and manufacture of lightweight battery enclosures for two-wheelers and cars.

The company is also venturing into the high-speed transportation sector, providing high-precision aluminium extrusions for the first hyperloop test track. Furthermore, Hindalco is developing hard alloy products for defense applications and collaborating with ISRO on critical components for missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.

In a move towards promoting circular economy principles, Birla Copper is establishing India's first e-waste recycling plant, which will extract and recycle valuable metals from discarded electronic devices.

Hindalco's expansive global footprint includes 52 plants worldwide and a workforce of 47,000 employees. As the world's largest aluminium company by revenues and the second-largest copper rods manufacturer outside China, Hindalco is a critical player in the global metals market.

The company's recent financial performance reinforces its strong market position. Hindalco reported a 60% increase in its December quarter consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 3,735 crore, with revenue from operations rising by 11% to Rs 58,390 crore.