When the enterprising spirit shines bright

It's not very common to hear of an aluminium manufacturing company filing patents for innovation. Yet, in one year alone (FY2020-21), Hindalco invested over INR 7.9 billion in R&D, filed 259 new patents, and launched 32 new products. Hindalco's relentless focus on shaping new horizons of growth is revolutionising the global metals industry.

Many of these innovations are designed to cater to the B2B segment. For instance, Hindalco has developed a tough new alloy called Duranium that gives windows as much as 35% greater strength as compared to existing options.

A new aluminium zirconium alloy is used in HTLS wire rods to make power conductors more efficient. A unique deep white, clean, and translucent alumina hydrate, branded ONYX, finds application in the cast polymer industry.

When the pandemic created demand for stronger semi-rigid containers, Hindalco’s team developed 3SRC, a new alloy with higher strength and a lower energy footprint. With this exercise, it discovered ways to accumulate a high amount of recycled content and utilise it across multiple customised packaging applications.

The company has also found multiple methods to reduce waste. It launched a system to treat phosphogypsum — an industrial by-product — and made it suitable for use in the cement industry.

Hindalco has been working to modernise freight transportation for the Indian Railways. A new-generation of aluminium wagons has been made from high-strength aluminium alloy and extrusions. Around 180 tonnes lighter than existing steel rakes, each of these wagons can carry up to 10% more payload while consuming less energy. More importantly, it can save over 14,500 tonnes of CO2, thereby contributing to the nation’s carbon goals in a big way.

Hindalco's innovations also impact the life of consumers, such as aluminium alloy circles that make coated cookware stronger and LPG cylinders safer. Cans are one of the key applications of aluminium alloys globally. However, the know-how to develop world-class can body stock speedily and at high volumes did not exist in India earlier. Hindalco introduced this technology to India.

The display of entrepreneurial spirit in making products that meet the constantly evolving needs of the industry is what makes Hindalco a global leader that stays resilient and sustainable.