Vedanta Lanjigarh successfully tests biodiesel as a green fuel alternative for commercial vehicles

Lanjigarh, Kalahandi: Vedanta Lanjigarh, India’s premier producer of metallurgical grade alumina and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, is exploring applications of biodiesel across plant operations as a part of its strategy to decarbonize its operations. The company has successfully conducted trial runs of using biodiesel as a ‘green’ fuel alternative for its fleet of commercial vehicles. Increasing the use of biofuels in its operations is a strategic move in the company’s journey to achieve net zero carbon by 2050 or sooner. A similar initiative has been earlier rolled out at BALCO, the company’s unit in Korba, Chhattisgarh.

Biodiesel is a form of ‘green’ fuel derived from biomass and a renewable substitute for petroleum-derived diesel which, when burned, contributes to far lower greenhouse gas emissions, as compared to conventional and non-renewable fuels. Using biodiesel as a vehicle fuel increases operational efficiency while making substantial contributions to reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The company has also inducted 3-ton and 5-ton electric forklifts at its world-class alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha, adding to a fleet of 44 electric lithium-ion forklifts across its operations in Odisha and Chhattisgarh – the largest in the country. Vedanta Aluminium has committed to decarbonizing 100% of its Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) fleet by 2030 and 75% of its mining fleet by 2035, aligning closely with United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7), which focuses on ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

Speaking about Vedanta Lanjigarh’s climate action endeavours, Mr Pranab Kumar Bhattacharyya, CEO – of Alumina Business Vedanta Ltd said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, we have adopted a two-pronged approach to climate action which includes reducing our carbon footprint and offsetting emissions. Transitioning to greener fuels is a stride towards reducing our carbon footprint. By substantially reducing the proportion of diesel needed to power commercial vehicles, Vedanta Lanjigarh is determined to take the lead in incorporating sustainability in every aspect of its business. This forms a critical part of our strategy to evaluate and deploy emerging technologies toward decarbonising our operations and strengthen our position as an ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) leader.”

Vedanta Lanjigarh has been acknowledged on various platforms for its climate action initiatives. Recently, it was felicitated at the Odisha State Energy Conservation Award 2023 for its energy conservation initiatives. Several other accolades won by Vedanta Lanjigarh in this field include:

• Best Energy Efficient unit under Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Chandigarh Circle- For contributions in enhancing the scope of energy improvement through in-depth analysis of energy parameters.

• Best Energy Efficient unit under Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Hyderabad Circle- For achieving excellence in energy performance, adopting best practices in different verticals such as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), utilizing renewable energy sources, managing waste, and raising energy awareness is essential.

• Best Energy Efficiency Performed Achieved Trade (PAT)-Recognition for best energy reduction practices across energy-intensive industries under the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Government of India.

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.29 million tonnes in FY23. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a testament to its leading sustainable practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a