“Aluminium is a clear favourite, given its versatility and wide-ranging applications, particularly in emerging sectors such as renewables, electric vehicles, hi-tech manufacturing and even space exploration, lending it the sobriquet of ‘the metal of the future’”, Dr. Amit Chatterjee, Chief Research and Development Officer at Vedanta Ltd - Aluminium Business.

Dr. Chatterjee, with 33 years of Industrial R&D experience and expertise, is a visionary leader in innovative Research and Development, driving new product development, process improvement, beneficiation of minerals, wealth from waste and decarbonization efforts in the aluminium industry. His leadership sparks open innovation and effective collaborations that translate research into real-world applications and sustainable business solutions. Dr. Chatterjee is an eminent force in the field with a rich background encompassing upstream and downstream aluminium processes, process intensification by modelling and simulation, and valorization of waste by chemical processing.

AL Circle: Can you elaborate on the key enablers driving aluminium's increasing adoption in various industries?

Dr. Amit Chatterjee: Aluminium's high strength-to-weight ratio, superb electrical & thermal conductivity, exceptional design flexibility, corrosion resistance and infinite recyclability is increasingly finding critical applications in sunrise sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, energy and storage solutions, electric vehicles, aerospace, renewable energy, low carbon or green products, green buildings and sustainable packaging while sustained strong demand from construction & infrastructure, automotive and aviation. Consequently, the global aluminium industry is poised for exponential growth to cater to the emerging demand for above-sustainable solutions.