Hindalco has achieved ASI Performance Standard certification for continuous casting and rolling operations at its Mouda aluminium plant near Nagpur in Maharashtra, India, for the manufacture of diverse foil products. 

The plant produces 30% of pharmaceutical foil in the country and is the first operation of its kind to achieve ASI Performance Standard Certification in India.

In India, Hindalco Mouda is the largest producer of pharmaceutical foil and the sole producer of Alu-Alu packaging, which is used for sensitive medicines that cannot be packed with plastic film barriers.

The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. 

The ASI Performance Standard defines environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, with the aim to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. 

It sets out 59 criteria under the three sustainability pillars of Governance, Environment and Social, which address key issues such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples rights, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The independent, third-party audit of the Hindalco Industries Ltd., Mouda Unit was carried out by LiberoAssurance.

Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said: “ASI warmly congratulates Hindalco Industries Ltd., Mouda Unit on achieving the first ASI Performance Standard Certification in India for a continuous casting and rolling operation. 

The company’s aluminium foil products are used in pharmaceutical, food and other product packaging, as well as the company’s own household foil and semi-rigid packaging brands. 

“ASI Performance Standard Certification demonstrates that the Mouda Unit operates in accordance with industry-leading ESG criteria.”

Mr. Arun Kumar B., Senior President & Head – Downstream Business, Hindalco Industries, said: “Hindalco has been ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company twice running by Dow Jones Sustainability Indices. 

“The ASI certification is an affirmation of our commitment to responsible and sustainable operations. Hindalco Mouda has taken several pioneering steps, such as renewable energy and water conversation. 

“We have commissioned 7 MW of solar power, with a further 5 MW storage type is planned. The facility has developed a massive 110 million-litre-capacity rainwater harvesting pond. Hindalco Mouda is setting new benchmarks for sustainable aluminium production.“