Alumex invests Rs. 1 b to boost capacity, exports

From left: Hayleys Group Executive Director Sarath Ganegoda, Chairman/Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage and Alumex Managing Director Pramuk Dediwela opening the new 

Low-Carbon Aluminium manufacturing plant

Hayleys Chairman and senior leadership team commissioning the manufacturing plant 

• Introduces environmentally friendly Low-Carbon Aluminium to grow export markets
• Pro-circularity model reduces manufacturing energy requirements by 95% 

Alumex PLC has invested Rs. 1 billion in a state-of-the-art new melting facility in Sapugaskanda to produce low carbon aluminium, by the brand name ‘Ozon’, incorporating the most modern and environmentally-friendly technologies in the world.

The company said the automation-driven optimisations are expected to cut energy consumption by up to 20%. The material is expected to assist the Sri Lankan construction sector’s efforts to sustainably reduce its environmental and carbon footprint. 

Building sustainable innovation into Sri Lanka’s construction sector, Hayleys Group subsidiary and national leader in fully integrated aluminium manufacturing, Alumex, last week announced the ground-breaking launch of Low-Carbon Aluminium for the global market. 

The company’s newly launched range of Low-Carbon Aluminium ‘Ozon’, follows the successful Phase 1 opening of the manufacturer’s new state-of-the-art melting facility at Sapugaskanda to develop export markets. With an investment of over Rs. 1 billion, further capacity building will take place through a second phase. 

Incorporating the most modern and environmentally-friendly technologies in the world, the new facility enables Alumex to produce the highest quality aluminium billets utilising just 5% of the total energy consumed in primary aluminium manufacturing from bauxite. Further automation-driven optimisations are expected to cut energy consumption up to 20%. 

According to Alumex Managing Director Pramuk Dediwela, the material is expected to add new life to the Sri Lankan construction sector’s efforts to sustainably reduce its environmental and carbon footprint. Its newly launched brand for its raw material ‘Ozon’ will maintain the exporter’s commitment to the highest global quality standards. 

Given the high demand from overseas buyers for Ozon billets, especially from the USA, UK, Europe and Australia markets, Low Carbon Aluminium supports us to drive increased export revenue to the country.

“Aluminium is a material with infinite possibilities and a near limitless lifecycle. When processed correctly, it can be used, melted down, and reshaped with near zero loss in quality and physical integrity. Our new facility supports our efforts to enable greater circularity, drastically reduce our environmental impact and energy dependence, and deliver the highest quality products in South Asia to both local and global markets.” 

Following up on commitments made as part of the Hayleys Lifecode – which requires all companies in the Hayleys Group to realign their operations towards a unified approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives, Alumex has been adjusting its strategic priorities with a stronger emphasis on export development through sustainability. 

“Given the predicament of the country’s economic situation, we believe it is our responsibility to step forward and lead through investment and innovation. The Alumex team has strengthened sustainable manufacturing operations with solutions that can compete on a global stage while reducing the energy consumption of carbon emissions and contributing to a cleaner environment – actions that live up to the ideals set out in the Hayleys Lifecode. 

“We take this opportunity to commend them on their innovative spirit,” Hayleys Chairman and Chief Executive Mohan Pandithage stated. 

Most recently, Alumex – which already utilises recycled metal for 50% of its raw material requirements – established a pilot project in the country to collect used aluminium beverage cans (UBCs) as a part of its initiative to care for the environment. 

On average, it is estimated that recycling 1 kg of UBCs saves up to 8 kg of bauxite, 4 kg of chemical products and 14 kWh of electricity.