Nalco sets fresh benchmarks

BHUBANESWAR, April 6: National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) has reported 103.4 per cent capacity utilisation at its aluminium smelter with production of 3,61,262 tonnes cast metal in 2008-09, compared to 3,59,213 tonnes in 2007-08. Similarly, the company's alumina refinery has exceeded the capacity with production of 15.76 lakh tonnes of alumina hydrate against 15.75 lakh tonnes in previous year. Bauxite transportation from its Panchpatmali mines increased to 47 lakh tonnes from 46.84 lakh tonnes in the previous year. Besides, Nalco achieved highest-ever domestic metal sale of 2.71 lakh tonnes in 2008-09, surpassing the previous highest of 2.63 lakh tonnes in 2006-07. The company also achieved highest ever sale of rolled products of 14,042 tonnes against 9423 tonnes in 2007-08, domestic billet sale of 21,799 tonnes (against 16,826 tonnes) and domestic wire rod sale of 72,587 tonnes (against 68,179 tonnes). The company was able to export 82,314 tonnes of aluminium despite sluggish market conditions. Nalco, the country’s leading manufacturer and exporter of alumina and aluminium PSU, has been pursuing the plans of continuous expansion of production capacity in order to strengthen its business and increase market share. The company has started commissioning its various projects under its second phase expansion programme.