The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certified Hindalco’s Belagavi Works plant in India for Alumina Hydrate, Calcined Alumina, Special Alumina Hydrate, and special Calcined Alumina under the ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification last week.
The plant, which is in Karnataka, produces about ten dozen different grades of alumina project. It produces special alumina and alumina hydrates for a wide array of non-metallurgical applications, including refractory, ceramics, polishing, fire retardant filler in polymer composites, alum, and zeolite.
This is the third Hindalco facility to be certified under ASI’s Performance Standard.
Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI, congratulated the plant in a related press release.
“We congratulate Hindalco Industries Ltd, for achieving ASI Performance Standard Certification at its Belagavi Works alumina refinery. While the vast majority of global alumina production is calcined and destined for aluminium smelting, a smaller share is used in a wide variety of specialty applications where the characteristics of alumina, including strength, wear resistance, temperature resistance, surface finish or chemical inertness are desired. Belagavi Works’ ASI Certification shows its commitment to ESG policies and practices in line with the ASI Performance Standard.”
ASI’s Performance Standard is the product of consultations with a multitude of stakeholders throughout the aluminium value chain, which ASI asserts is the sole comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative in the aluminium sector. The standard defines 59 criteria categorized in three sustainability pillars that cover several issues, including biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples rights, and greenhouse gas emissions. Third-party audit of the certification was conducted by LiberoAssurance.
Saurabh Khedekar, President & CEO Specialty Aluminas & Chemicals, Hindalco Industries Ltd., said that the certification is further proof of the firm’s commitment to sustainability.
“We at Hindalco Specialty Aluminas and Chemicals believe that sustainable operations are the foundation of our present and the bedrock of our future. Certification of Hindalco’s Belagavi unit, the first alumina refinery in India to be accorded this certification, is a testimony to our deep commitment to the sustainability agenda. This certification for ASI Performance Standard enhances our conviction in showcasing our holistic approach to the ESG agenda to all our stakeholders. ASI certification is the most valuable third-party assessment of sustainability of our Belagavi unit and will further our commitment to our stated purpose of manufacturing materials that make the world Greener, Stronger and Smarter.”
The ASI is a worldwide organization dedicated to setting industrial standards and certifications in the aluminium industry. The association brings together the various stakeholders in the aluminium industry in order to achieve objectives including sustainable production methods, material chain-of-custody procedures, recycling, social impacts related to aluminium production, and production standards.