ASI certifies Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) against Performance Standard V3
The facility includes a smelter with two potlines, three casthouses, a rolled product plant and a power generation plant, with an annual production capacity of 575,000 tonnes.
5 March 2024
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that the Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) facility in Korba, Chhattisgarh, India has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). The facility, a part of Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business (Vedanta Aluminium), specialises in the production of wire rods, ingots, primary foundry alloys and rolled products, as well as their Restora low carbon aluminium range for applications in sectors including automobiles, infrastructure, insulations, power projects, electrical and packaging. Previously, Vedanta Aluminium has also achieved ASI Performance Standard V2 Certification for its smelter and its captive power plant located within the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Jharsuguda, Odisha, India.
The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) was launched in May 2022 following a multi-year revision process. It defines 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance – with the aim to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The independent, third-party audit of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) was carried out by CETIZION Verifica. A full listing of audit findings outlining evidence of conformances and minor non-conformances is available from page 5 of the summary audit report, linked below. Seven minor non-conformances are noted under Criteria 2.4a-e Responsible Sourcing, 6.1a-f Emissions to Air, 7.2a-e Water Management, 9.8a Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Strong management Systems, 9.8b Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Identify and assess risks, 9.8c Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Strategy to respond to Risks and 9.8e Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas – Report annually. During the Certification Period, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) will be implementing a corrective action plan, which will be verified in follow-up audits.
“We congratulate Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) on achieving Performance Standard Certification V3 (2022) for its integrated aluminium production facilities in Chhattisgarh. As a large aluminium producer in India and a part of Vedanta Limited – Aluminium Business, BALCO plays an important role in the global aluminium industry. This Certification marks a notable milestone in BALCO’s sustainability journey and demonstrates its commitment to adopting practices that meet a broad range of environmental, social and governance criteria.”
– Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
“We welcome BALCO’s inclusion in the esteemed ASI membership and its certification against the ASI Performance Standard V3, which includes the production of our low-carbon aluminium Restora and Restora Ultra brands. As India’s iconic aluminium producer, BALCO has pioneered the adoption of sustainable processes across every step of the aluminium value chain, establishing itself as a benchmark within the industry. The certification comes as a reiteration of our continuous commitment to responsible production practices, and ignites in our teams a renewed focus on exploring new ways to harness aluminium’s boundless potential towards building a greener, sustainable world.”
– Mr John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium
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