As imports swell, Vedanta plans 25% ramp-up in downstream output

Aside from combating imports, Vedanta's proposal to expand the downstream, value-added portfolio is expected to boost its realisations

Metals and mining conglomerate Vedanta Ltd has aimed at 25 per cent jump in downstream products output in the October-March period to counter the surge in imports.

As a result of the simmering US-China trade conflict, India has witnessed a swarm of imports of an array of aluminium products. While scrap imports from US have zoomed 144 per cent, overall imports have risen 32 per cent in July-September period, unnerving the domestic aluminium producers. In addition to scrap, imports of fake semis from China and wire rods from South East Asia region have compounded the woes of domestic makers.

Imports