NALCO achieves highest aluminium production in 2008-09

National Aluminium Company Ltd has reported 103.4% capacity utilisation at its aluminium smelter with production of 361,262 tonnes cast metal in 2008-09 as compared to 359,213 tonnes in 2007-08. Similarly, the company's alumina refinery has exceeded the capacity with production of 1.576 million tonnes of alumina hydrate against 1.575 million tonnes in previous year. Bauxite transportation from its Panchpatmali mines increased to 4.7 million tonnes from 4.6 million tonnes in the previous year. Besides, NALCO achieved highest ever domestic metal sale of 0.271 million tonnes in 2008-09, surpassing the previous highest of 0.263 million 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. Besides, the company was able to export 82,314 tonnes of aluminium despite sluggish market conditions. NALCO 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 program. Source: SteelGuru