Government and ALEMAI Unveil ‘Aluminium Bharat’ to Revitalize Ailing Downstream Sector

New Delhi, April 8, 2026: The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has officially launched the ‘Aluminium Bharat’ initiative, a strategic platform designed to strengthen the nation’s aluminium ecosystem. Unveiled by the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, in the national capital, the initiative arrives at a critical juncture as the industry calls for urgent policy intervention to combat severe production contractions and rising global trade pressures, the organization said in a press statement.

The centerpiece of this initiative is the upcoming ‘Aluminium Bharat 2026’ exhibition, scheduled to take place from September 26 to 29, 2026, at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Held alongside Alumex India 2026, the event is set to be India’s first comprehensive showcase of the entire aluminium value chain. By highlighting primary and downstream capabilities, ALEMAI aims to position the Indian industry on par with global platforms such as Aluminum China and Aluminum Düsseldorf, while reducing import reliance in line with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.

During the launch, Minister Jitin Prasada emphasized the government’s commitment to shielding domestic manufacturers from volatile 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,” Prasada stated.

Despite the optimistic outlook for the future, the association highlighted a grim current reality for domestic producers. ALEMAI President Jitendra Chopra revealed that midstream and downstream sectors are currently undergoing a contraction of 40% to 50%. Chopra noted that while India possesses a robust installed capacity of 4.2 million tonnes, actual utilization remains significantly below potential, with extrusion and rolled product units operating under extreme stress.

Addressing these bottlenecks, Jitendra Chopra 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 association identified sharp increases in raw material and energy costs—exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in West Asia—and a global volatility in oil and gas prices as the primary drivers of this downturn.

The industry is also grappling with trade asymmetries, particularly the influx of low-cost downstream products from nations benefiting from subsidies and Free Trade Agreements. Combined with the limited availability of critical aluminium scrap and high domestic input costs, these factors have eroded the competitiveness of Indian producers. ALEMAI warned that these challenges are particularly taxing for MSMEs, which form the backbone of a sector that supports over 10 lakh jobs and is essential to achieving a $5 trillion economy.

Moving forward, ‘Aluminium Bharat’ intends to bridge the gap between industry leaders and policymakers to co-create a sustainable roadmap. Beyond economic growth, the initiative underscores the role of aluminium in India’s circular economy and Net-Zero targets. Due to its infinite recyclability, the metal is viewed as a vital component for decarbonization, making the recovery of the downstream sector essential for India’s broader environmental and industrial goals under the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision.

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