Nalco to tap waste-to-wealth model using Chinese tech to boost bottom line

Company hopes to extract 15-20 mn tonnes of iron ore concentrates from its inventory of 60 mn tonnes of red mud

National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is looking at out-of-the-box business models to ramp up its profitability. The company has lately decided to go for a waste-to-wealth model to process mineral wastes and commercialise them.

“Under the waste-to-wealth model, one of the potentially rewarding areas is extraction of iron ore concentrates from red mud. The iron ore concentrates retrieved this way could find applications in steel making. But, Indian companies have not ventured into this area due to lack of technology. Nalco is talking to some Chinese companies for firming up the technology. We have to strike