- Vedanta’s capex spends for expanding metal production & value-added products across aluminium, zinc, ferrochrome & steel segment at more than INR 12,500 crores
- Product portfolio includes aluminium & value-added products, zinc & zinc alloys, silver, copper, steel, nickel, ferrochrome and oil & gas
On World EV Day, Vedanta Limited (NSE: VEDL), India’s leading critical minerals, energy transition metals, oil & gas and technology conglomerate said it is set to boost metal manufacturing for the evolving needs of the country’s EV industry. The company produces a wide range of products including aluminium, zinc, value-added alloys, copper, steel, nickel and ferrochrome. To boost production of these critical enablers for the EV industry, Vedanta has spent more than INR 12,500 crores. The investments include capacity expansion across aluminium smelter, boosting aluminium value-added products, setting up zinc alloy plant, roaster set-up for zinc production and ferrochrome capacity augmentation.
Vedanta’s cutting-edge aluminium product portfolio includes primary foundry alloys for wheels, engine blocks and cylinder-head applications, billets for battery casings, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems & EV frames. Together, they enable the automotive industry to access best-in-class products and enhanced supply-chain reliability. Vedanta is the first in India to offer low carbon, ‘green’ aluminium, branded Restora and Restora Ultra, that allow automotive manufacturers a significantly lower carbon footprint across their value chains. Vedanta’s aluminium is also being tested for breakthroughs in crash-resistant alloys and energy storage solutions. Aluminium’s unique properties, such as its high strength-to-weight ratio, exceptional design flexibility, thermal & electrical conductivity, and 100% recyclability have made it the go-to metal for automakers worldwide.
Greater usage of aluminium in EVs extends their driving range by offsetting battery weight, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership. Research suggests that every kg of aluminium used in a car reduces its overall weight by 1 kg, and consequently, 100 kg saved on an EV’s weight translates into a potential 10-15% increase in its range.
Adding his thoughts, Mr. S. Senthil Kumar, Vice President – Central Purchase, TVS Motors, a valued customer of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At TVS Motors, we prioritize excellence in our automotive offerings by using top-class aluminium which plays a vital role in delivering products that are not only top-tier in performance but also sustainable. The integrity of raw materials forms the foundation of our commitment to efficiency and innovation.”
The company’s zinc product portfolio, one of the largest in the world, includes special high-grade zinc (99.995% purity), continuous galvanizing grade zinc and Asia’s first low carbon ‘green’ zinc branded EcoZen. Zinc plays an indispensable role in automotive sector through galvanized steel, by providing a high degree of corrosion resistance to lightweight steel bodies (BIW or Body-In-White), ensuring durable and long-lasting vehicles.
The company’s zinc product portfolio also includes die casting alloys HZDA 3 and HZDA 5 (Hindustan Zinc Diec Casting Alloy) which are engineered to cater to the automotive sector. These alloys offer exceptional castability, long-term structural stability, fast machining, superior finishing and dimensional tolerance for automobiles. Zinc is also being pioneered as a strong alternative to lithium-based batteries with advanced stages of research being conducted for chemistries such as nickel-zinc, zinc-ion and zinc air. Along with that, the company is India’s sole primary producer of silver which is extensively used in automotive electronics, including switches & relays while enhancing conductivity and efficiency.
Mr. Abhinandan Singh, Senior Area Procurement Manager Metals, Tata Steel, a long-time customer of Vedanta’s Hindustan Zinc, said, “Zinc is rapidly becoming an indispensable material in the automotive sector, particularly with the acceleration of electric vehicle production. Its applications, from galvanized steel providing superior protection to versatile zinc die-casting alloys, are pivotal for various components. Our enduring collaborations with industry leaders like Vedanta and Hindustan Zinc is a testament to top-notch quality and innovation in this critical area.”
Vedanta is also India’s sole producer of primary nickel which plays a crucial role in battery systems and alloys used in EV manufacturing. Nickel plays a vital role in EV batteries and adds to the structural strength of key EV components. In FY25, nearly 80% of nickel metal production by Vedanta was sold in the domestic market. The company also produces nickel sulphate which is a key ingredient in the production of nickel-rich cathodes for batteries enabling clean mobility transition. Vedanta holds 40% of total the Nickel sulphate domestic market and also exports to global EV battery makers.
Vedanta also produces copper which is the nerve centre of electric vehicles. It plays an essential role in batteries, motors, inverters, wiring, and charging systems. EVs use up to 3–4 times more copper than conventional vehicles, making it indispensable to the clean mobility ecosystem. Vedanta’s copper product portfolio includes copper rods and cathodes which further find usage in wires, moulds, cables and billets.
Other than these critical minerals, Vedanta also produces iron ore, ferrochrome and steel. These metals are important in the overall value chain of EV manufacturing. Iron ore and ferrochrome are critical in the steelmaking process. While oil & gas produced by Vedanta is crucial for the downstream applications such as lubricants and tyres for EVs. Overall, this has created an indispensable indirect value chain for manufacturers.
Vedanta also plans to foray into rare earth elements, graphite, vanadium, manganese and tungsten. With this, the company will bolster the direct & indirect value chain for EV manufacturing.
Vedanta Limited is a global leader in critical minerals, energy and technology operating a diverse portfolio of world-class assets. It is the world’s largest integrated producer of zinc, the fourth-largest global producer of silver, amongst the world’s top aluminium producers, India’s only private oil and gas producer, and one of its largest private power producers. With an eye on the future, the company is strategically expanding its business portfolio by venturing into rare earths, other critical minerals, and renewable energy.
