- Revenue from operations rises 39% y-o-y on higher aluminium prices, stronger sales
- Company records highest-ever Q1 bauxite excavation, calcined alumina production
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, reported a strong operational and financial performance in the first quarter of FY’27, driven by record-high production, increased sales volumes, and firm aluminium prices. At the same time, the company continued advancing major mining, refining, smelting and power expansion projects.
Record production boosts operational performance
NALCO maintained the momentum from FY26 by delivering multiple production records in Q1FY27. Bauxite excavation reached a record 1.952 million tonnes (mnt), up about 4.4% from 1.869 mnt in the corresponding quarter last year.
The company also achieved its highest-ever Q1 calcined alumina production of 577,000 tonnes (t), increasing alumina availability for both domestic and overseas markets. Consequently, alumina/hydrate sales climbed to a record 347,000 t, up around 10% y-o-y. Export alumina sales rose 10.89% to 304,500 t, while domestic alumina sales surged 47.42% to 42,900 t, reflecting strong demand from Indian aluminium smelters alongside steady overseas shipments.
Revenue, profit grow sharply
Higher production and stronger sales translated into improved financial performance. Revenue from operations increased 39% y-o-y to INR 5,302.38 crore, while net profit surged 88% to INR 2,002.38 crore.
Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh attributed the results to firm global aluminium prices, higher production and sales volumes, increased domestic alumina sales and a favourable domestic business environment. Rising alumina demand from India’s expanding aluminium industry, supported by growth in infrastructure, power and renewable energy, further strengthened the company’s performance during the quarter.
Capacity expansion remains priority
Alongside its record quarterly results, NALCO continued work on projects that will significantly expand its integrated aluminium business.
The company currently operates a 6.825 mnt/year bauxite mine, 2.1 mnt/year alumina refinery, 0.46 mnt/year aluminium smelter, and a 1,200 MW captive power plant. The following expansion projects aim to strengthen raw material security and support higher aluminium production.
Pottangi bauxite mine (3.5 mnt/year): The new mine will supplement the existing Panchpatmali mines and improve long-term bauxite availability for NALCO’s refinery operations.
Fifth-stream alumina refinery, Damanjodi: The project will add 1 mnt/year of refining capacity, increasing total alumina capacity from 2.1 mnt/year to about 3.1 mnt/year, a rise of nearly 48%.
Angul smelter expansion: NALCO plans to increase aluminium smelting capacity from 0.46 mnt/year to about 1.1 mnt/year, more than doubling its primary aluminium production capacity.
Captive power plant expansion: The company will raise captive generation capacity from 1,200 MW to 1,560 MW to provide reliable, low-cost power for the expanded smelter.
Furthermore, NALCO said it will continue improving operational efficiency, optimising resource utilisation and strengthening research and development while completing these projects.
Outlook remains positive
NALCO expects aluminium demand to remain strong over the long term. Growth in power transmission, renewable energy, electric vehicles, transportation, packaging, construction and defence is expected to support consumption.
Moreover, the company believes India will remain one of the world’s fastest-growing aluminium markets, driven by infrastructure development and manufacturing growth. As a result, NALCO plans to accelerate its ongoing expansion projects, improve operational efficiency and reinforce its position across the integrated aluminium value chain.
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