Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), established in 1965, is a significant player in India’s aluminium industry. Initially a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), BALCO was partially privatized in 2001 when the Government of India sold 51% of its shares to Sterlite Industries (now Vedanta Limited). BALCO is headquartered in Korba, Chhattisgarh, and is known for its substantial contributions to the Indian industrial sector.

BALCO’s operations include the production of aluminium ingots, wire rods, billets, and rolled products. The company has a smelter capacity of 345 KTPA (Kilo Tonnes Per Annum) and a power generation capacity of 1740 MW, which supports both its operations and the state’s energy needs. BALCO sources alumina from its refinery in Lanjigarh and through imports, ensuring a blend of domestic and international supply.

The company has achieved several firsts in India, such as being the first integrated aluminium industry, the first to have a captive power plant, and the first to produce alloy rods for power transmission. BALCO is also known for its sustainable development initiatives and community empowerment programs in Korba.