India’s production of aluminium, copper, zinc and lead increased m-o-m in January 2023 compared with December. Aluminium rose marginally by 0.2%, followed by copper, zinc and lead by 2%, 4% and 27%, respectively. The production of base metals increased y-o-y as well.
The production of all base metals increased in January due to higher domestic demand.
Aluminium
India’s aluminium production stood at 347,000 tonnes (t) in January, largely stable compared with 346,000 t in December. Production rose by 2% from 339,000 t in January 2022.
The overall installed capacity of aluminium smelting in India is around 4.1 million tonnes (mnt). The major players are Vedanta Ltd. with 146,000 t, followed by Hindalco, Balco and Nalco with 113,000 t, 49,000 t and 39,000 t, respectively.
Copper
Copper production was recorded at 49,000 t in January 2023, up 2% m-o-m from 48,000 t in December. Production rose by 11% y-o-y in January from 44,000 t in January 2022.
The two major producers, Sesa Sterlite (Vedanta) and Hindalco produced 13,000 t and 36,000 t, respectively, in the January. The installed capacity of copper in India is 1.08 mnt/year.
Zinc
India’s zinc production stood at 71,000 t in January, up from 68,000 t in December, an increase of 4% m-o-m. Production increased by 4% y-o-y.
India’s overall installed zinc smelting capacity stands at around 912,000 t. Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is India’s only refined zinc producer, with output standing at around 71,000 t in January.
Lead
Lead production of India stood at 19,000 t in January, an increase of 27% m-o-m from 15,000 t in December. Production rose by 19% y-o-y in January from 16,000 t in January.
The installed capacity of lead in India is 204,000 t/year. HZL was the only producer of refined lead with 19,000 t in January.
Outlook
Growing demand from the electric vehicles (EV), construction, electrical appliances, white goods and other sectors will throw up a variety of opportunities for market expansion in the coming months.
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