Odisha and NALCO: A Longstanding Partnership
Odisha, blessed with some of the richest bauxite reserves in the country, has long been central to India’s aluminium industry. At the heart of this landscape is National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna public sector enterprise established in 1981. Headquartered in Bhubaneswar, NALCO operates key facilities in Damanjodi (alumina refinery and mines) and Angul (smelter and power plant), making it one of the largest integrated aluminium producers in Asia. Beyond contributing to India’s foreign exchange through exports, NALCO has consistently played a pivotal role in Odisha’s industrial and socio-economic development.
Now, as India pushes for self-reliance in metals and minerals, NALCO is preparing for its biggest leap yet.
A Bold ₹30,000-Crore Investment Plan
At the NALCO Media Connect 2025 event in New Delhi, Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh unveiled a transformative plan to invest ₹30,000 crore in Odisha over the next five years. The investments are aimed at scaling up production, strengthening energy security, and creating the foundation for NALCO to achieve the coveted ‘Maharatna’ status by 2030.
Of the planned outlay, ₹18,000 crore will be dedicated to building a new smelter plant in Odisha, while ₹12,000 crore has been allocated for a coal-based power plant to support the growing energy demands of expanded operations. Together, these projects are expected to position NALCO as one of the most competitive aluminium producers globally.
Expanding Mining and Refining Capacities
A critical element of NALCO’s roadmap is the operationalisation of the Pottangi bauxite mine, recently allocated to the company. Scheduled to begin production by June 2026, the mine will initially generate 75 lakh tonnes of bauxite per year, scaling up to 110 lakh tonnes annually. This surge in raw material supply will feed NALCO’s alumina refineries and smelters, ensuring a self-sufficient value chain.
Currently, NALCO produces around 21 lakh tonnes of alumina per year. Under the expansion program, output will rise by an additional 10 lakh tonnes, to be achieved in two phases: the first by June 2026 and the second by March 2027. This incremental capacity will not only meet domestic demand but also reinforce NALCO’s export capabilities.
Strengthening the Global Footprint
While Odisha remains its operational hub, NALCO is also widening its international horizons. The company has identified England as a strategic export market, reflecting its ambition to deepen global engagement. CMD Singh clarified that recent U.S. tariff policies are unlikely to significantly affect NALCO, given its diversified customer base and strong cost competitiveness.
The dual focus—strengthening domestic capacity while expanding global markets—demonstrates NALCO’s strategy to emerge as a resilient, world-class aluminium player.
Employment and Regional Growth
Beyond numbers and output, the investment carries far-reaching socio-economic implications for Odisha. The upcoming smelter and power plant will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, particularly in mining regions and industrial belts. Ancillary industries, logistics providers, and skill development initiatives are also expected to flourish around these projects, multiplying the economic impact.
For a state where mining and metallurgy are key employment drivers, NALCO’s expansion promises to be a catalyst for inclusive growth.
The Road to Maharatna Status
NALCO is currently classified as a Navratna PSU, which offers significant autonomy but with certain investment restrictions. Attaining Maharatna status, however, would elevate the company into an exclusive league of India’s most powerful state-owned enterprises. This designation would grant higher financial independence, larger investment ceilings, and greater operational flexibility—allowing NALCO to compete more aggressively in global markets.
“Our vision is to transform NALCO into a global aluminium leader, with Odisha as the nucleus of our operations,” Singh remarked, underlining that the next five years will be decisive for both the company and the state.
Looking Ahead
NALCO’s ₹30,000-crore blueprint reflects more than an expansion strategy—it signals confidence in Odisha’s resources, policies, and people. By synchronising mining, refining, smelting, and energy projects, the company is building an integrated growth model capable of sustaining competitive advantage.
The plan is also timely. With aluminium demand projected to surge globally due to its applications in renewable energy, electric vehicles, aerospace, and packaging, NALCO’s strengthened capacity could help India secure a bigger share of this growing market.
A Defining Decade for NALCO and Odisha
If executed with precision, NALCO’s vision could well mark a turning point in India’s aluminium industry. The proposed projects will reinforce Odisha’s status as the nation’s mineral powerhouse while advancing NALCO’s bid for Maharatna recognition. More importantly, the expansion underscores a broader truth: that sustainable growth is not just about profits, but also about empowering communities, generating livelihoods, and building resilience for the future.
As the company accelerates toward 2030, NALCO is not merely chasing a title—it is scripting a story of ambition, self-reliance, and transformation rooted firmly in Odisha’s soil.
(With agency inputs)
