The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) today announced the launch of the ‘Aluminium Bharat’ initiative, formally unveiled by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, in New Delhi. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s aluminum ecosystem while addressing emerging global and domestic challenges that impact the sector.
‘Aluminium Bharat’ will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and global stakeholders to deliberate on key bottlenecks and co-create a roadmap for sustainable growth of the aluminum industry in the country.
As part of this initiative, ‘Aluminium Bharat 2026’, India’s first comprehensive exhibition for the aluminum value chain, will be held from September 26 to 29th, 2026, at the Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, alongside Alumex India 2026. The event will showcase primary and downstream aluminum products, positioning India among established global platforms such as Aluminum China, Aluminum USA, and Aluminum Düsseldorf.
The exhibition in Gandhinagar will demonstrate India’s confidence in the capabilities of its aluminium extrusion industry. It will reflect ALEMAI’s commitment to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision by reducing reliance on imports and strengthening its value chain.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Shri Jitin Prasada Ji underscored the need to build resilient domestic manufacturing capabilities in the face of evolving global trade dynamics. “The initiative, ‘Aluminium Bharat’, is a statement of intent that India will move up the global value chain in aluminium manufacturing. We are committed to giving Indian manufacturers a level playing field and making Bharat a preferred global hub for high-value aluminium products,” said Shri Prasada.
Highlighting the industry’s concerns, Mr. Jitendra Chopra, President, ALEMAI, Ahmedabad, said: “India’s midstream and downstream aluminium sectors are undergoing a severe contraction, with production declining by 40% to 50%. Despite a strong installed capacity of 4.2 million tonnes, utilization remains significantly below potential.”
The sector is currently operating under stress, with extrusion units at 1.2–1.3 million tonnes and rolled and flat products at around 1.5 million tonnes. This underperformance is being driven by a combination of domestic constraints and global disruptions.
One of the major challenges is the sharp rise in raw material and energy costs, further exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The conflict in the region has led to volatility in global oil and gas prices, directly impacting energy-intensive industries such as aluminium. Increased logistics costs and supply chain disruptions have added further pressure on manufacturers.
At the same time, India continues to face one of the highest raw material cost structures globally, particularly due to the limited availability of aluminium scrap, which is critical for downstream operations.
Adding to these challenges is the growing impact of tariff imbalances and trade distortions. While Indian manufacturers face high input costs, which is highest among developing nations in the world, the domestic market is witnessing an influx of low-cost downstream aluminium products from countries benefiting from subsidies, preferential tariffs under Free Trade Agreements, or excess capacities. This asymmetry is eroding the competitiveness of Indian producers.
Operational challenges such as regulatory complexities, inconsistent fuel allocation, and labour management constraints further compound the issue, particularly for MSMEs that form the backbone of the downstream ecosystem.
The aluminium value chain is a critical contributor to India’s economy, supporting over 10 lakh jobs. Strengthening the downstream sector is essential for driving value addition, boosting manufacturing competitiveness, and advancing the Government’s vision of a $5 trillion economy and ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
From a sustainability perspective, aluminium is central to India’s circular economy ambitions. Its infinite recyclability and lower energy requirements make it a key enabler of decarbonization and Net-Zero targets.
ALEMAI: The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) is the apex body representing India’s aluminium extrusion industry, comprising over 250 members nationwide. After downstream (extrusion, roll products, wire rod, alloy casting), combining all midstream and downstream annual production capacity of 4.2 million tons, the aluminium primary and downstream industry together support more than 10 lakh direct and indirect jobs. ALEMAI plays a pivotal role in promoting innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness, while working closely with policymakers and industry stakeholders. The association serves as a unified platform for businesses of all sizes, driving progress, sharing best practices, and shaping the future of the aluminium extrusion sector in India.
