Vedanta Aluminium’s Odisha project gets ASI Performance Standard Certification
By Dr Gouranga Charan Rout
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 27: Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a global industry-led initiative that aims to promote sustainability throughout the aluminium value chain, on Thursday announced that Vedanta Aluminium has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard at its smelter and its captive power plant located within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Odisha’s Jharsuguda, Odisha.
The company is the largest producer of primary aluminium in India.
Vedanta Aluminium manufactures and supplies of all primary aluminium product in the form of billets, wire rod, primary foundry alloys (PFA), ingot and sow ingot, as well as its ‘Restora’ brand of low-carbon aluminium products.
The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain.
The ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) defines environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, with the aim to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. It sets out 59 criteria under the three sustainability pillars of Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG), which address key issues such as biodiversity, labour rights, Indigenous People’s rights, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said, “We congratulate Vedanta Aluminium for achieving ASI Performance Standard (V2) Certification at its smelting facility at Jharsuguda. The company is taking steps to decarbonise, including through increased renewable energy consumption, reclaiming aluminium from dross, and other plant-level initiatives. Its Performance Standard certification shows that Vedanta Aluminium is also addressing broader ESG topics.”
Speaking about Vedanta Aluminium’s Jharsuguda smelter being ASI certified, Mr Rahul Sharma, CEO, Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business said, “Aluminium is a dynamic and rapidly evolving industry with potential for greater applications in a sustainability-conscious world. Aluminium’s unique properties make it a crucial metal in the world’s energy transition as the backbone of a low-carbon future. Vedanta Aluminium is pleased to join the ASI members list and be certified against the ASI Performance Standard. This stands testimony to our unwavering commitment to cater to our customers’ needs through sustainable and responsible production practices.”
