Hindalco turns environment-harming product into a money-minting resource

The aluminium maker's breakthrough in regenerating red mud for the construction industry addresses a serious environmental concern

The safe storage of red mud, a highly toxic by-product in the process of producing alumina, has been a perennial problem of aluminium manufacturers. Recently, however, Hindalco Industries surprised the global aluminium industry by finding use for the complete regeneration of red mud at its three alumina refineries. Working closely with cement groups, Hindalco Managing Director Satish Pai said the company had developed a “high grade material for the construction industry” from red mud.

The idea is not novel. As an industry official pointed out, some aluminium producing countries have started processing red mud for cement making on a pilot