CHENNAI: With more and more auto companies setting up their plants in the country, there was immense scope for the <link _top>diecasting sector and the aluminium industry should seize the opportunity, National Aluminium Company Ltd Chairman and Managing Director, M r C R Pradhan on said.
“The aluminium industry is today ideally poised and must seize this opportunity with both hands and strive to chart a road map for the future,'' he said in his inaugural address at the three-day seminar on <link _top>aluminium Diecasting organised by Aluminium Association of India here.
Stating that latest technologies like <link _top>squeeze casting, <link _top>semi-solid metal (SSM) casting and continuous <link _top>RHEO casting hade been developed, he said the SSM casting process (in the country) appeared to be the most 'promising'.
Expressing concern that a global recession was looming large, triggered by the financial crisis in the West, Mr Pradhan said 'we must search for options to keep ourselves afloat'.
However, he cautioned that the industry must remain aware of the consequential impacts it may have on the environment.
“<link _top>Primary aluminium making and <link _top>diecasting are both energy intensive industries. Pollution is a major area of concern in these industries,'' he said.
He called for diverting a part of the resources for promotion of cleaner and greener power. Chief Technology Officer of Mahindra and Mahindra, Mr Arun Jaura said that each kg of aluminium could replace two kgs of steel in automobiles.
“Six to eight per cent of fuel can be saved through every 10 per cent of weight'' he said.
He said that very high cost sensitive Indian market may not accept aluminium till there was a visible value proposition for the customers.
Best Selling Car Models in India:
Hyundai Santro Xing (Hatchback)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class S -350L
Fiat Palio 1.1 SL Stile (Petrol)
Mahindra Renault (Sedan)
Mitsubishi Lancer (Sedan)
Volkswagen Passat (Sedan)
Mercedes-Benz S-Class S -350L
Honda Civic (Sedan)
Toyota Camry (Sedan)
