Vedanta Aluminium Develops Process to Recover Graphite from Aluminium Industry Waste

Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, has announced the grant of a patent for a new technology that enables the recovery of high-purity graphite from waste produced during aluminium manufacturing. The announcement was made on National Technology Day 2025 and reflects ongoing efforts to align industrial innovation with national objectives, including the promotion of self-reliance in critical minerals and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Developed in partnership with the CSIR - Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, the process extracts battery-grade graphite—of over 99% purity—from Spent Pot Lining (SPL) and Shot Blast Dust, two by-products of the aluminium smelting process. According to the company, the recovered graphite exhibits characteristics suitable for use in lithium-ion batteries due to its electrical conductivity and structural integrity.

Vedanta Aluminium’s CEO, Rajiv Kumar, said the development comes at a time when India’s demand for electric vehicles, energy storage solutions, and electronics is rising. He noted that this technology could support India’s critical minerals roadmap while contributing to more efficient and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices.

In 2024, India imported approximately $41 million worth of natural graphite, making it one of the top importers in the Asia-Pacific region, alongside South Korea and Japan. The company's technology offers a potential domestic alternative, which could reduce the country's reliance on imported graphite.

Vedanta Aluminium is India’s largest aluminium producer, accounting for 2.42 million tonnes of production in FY25. The company also reported being ranked second globally in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 for the aluminium industry. Its operations include aluminium smelters, an alumina refinery, and power plants across India.