Vedanta Aluminium deploys BOBRN rakes for enhanced efficiency and sustainability in logistics
23rd October 2024
- Undertaken under the Government’s GPWIS scheme, the move will also ensure faster turnaround
New Delhi, 23rd October, 2024: Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest producer of aluminium, has inducted the Bogie Open Bottom Rapid discharge railway wagon with pneumatic door opening actuators (BOBRN) into the logistics system for coal transportation at its smelters in Jharsuguda, Odisha and Korba, Chhattisgarh. This initiative has been undertaken as part of the General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS) launched by the Indian Railways, and will help in achieving enhanced operational efficiency and furthering sustainability goals.
The BOBRN type of railway wagons are designed to transport bulk quantities of coal between usage locations such as thermal power plants and ports. Uniquely, they can be unloaded from the bottom of the wagon directly into hopper pits, resulting in an efficient and rapid unloading process and reducing the turnaround time involved in material delivery.
Vedanta Aluminium operates the world’s largest aluminium plant in Jharsuguda and India’s iconic smelter, BALCO, at Korba, both of which require a continuous and reliable supply of power. The introduction of the BOBRN rake will, therefore, enable the company to improve the materialization of linkage coal, ensuring a steady and efficient supply for its operations. By leveraging the advantages of rail transportation, it will also be able to reduce overall production costs and optimize its supply chains. The move will also enable Vedanta Aluminium to significantly decrease its carbon footprint by relying on rail instead of road transportation via trucks, since rail movement has a lower per-ton CO2 emission rate.
Currently, Vedanta Aluminium operates four BOBRN captive coal rakes across its operations, and plans to expand its logistics capacity further by adding four additional rakes. This expansion will not only further boost operational efficiencies but also contribute towards the company’s efforts to integrate sustainable practices.
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer – Vedanta Aluminium, said, said, “The induction of the BOBRN rake is a significant milestone in our operations. It will improve our rail coefficient, reduce turnaround times, and help ensure more reliable coal transportation, while significantly reducing costs and emissions. We are proud to contribute to the wider effort nationally to boost sustainability and energy efficiency, further reinforcing our focus on operational excellence.”
Speaking about the significance of the initiative, Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director, BALCO, said, “This step reinforces our commitment to enhancing operational efficiency while staying aligned with our sustainability goals. The inclusion of BOBRN rakes have been instrumental in establishing a more robust supply chain while progressing towards the goal to become net zero by 2050.”
Vedanta Aluminium has adopted a two-pronged approach of both reducing and offsetting its carbon footprint. These include measures such as increasing the quantum of renewables in its energy mix, enhancing its manufacturing excellence to optimise resource utilization and reduce wastage, and transitioning to low-carbon energy sources such as biofuels. Its smelters have been certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standards, a globally acknowledged indicator of sustainable operations.
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil & Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa and Namibia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector. Vedanta is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner and has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. The company’s flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars, have been set up as model anganwadis focused on eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with skill development. Under the aegis of the Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, the Vedanta group has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on social impact programmes with a thrust on nutrition, women & child development, healthcare, animal welfare, and grass-root level sports. Vedanta and the group companies have been featured in Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and was conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020, Golden Peacock Award for excellence in Corporate Governance 2022 and certified as a Great Place to Work 2022. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.vedantalimited.com
About Vedanta Aluminium Business:
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium i.e., 2.37 million tonnes in FY24. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 1st in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow.
For more information, please log on to www.vedantaaluminium.com
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