Amid US tariffs and other challenges, the aluminium extrusion sector has sought stronger policy support from the government to remain globally competitive and viable.
Jitendra Chopra, President of the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI), said that domestic industries are struggling under the pressure of FTA concessions and cheap imports from China and ASEAN countries. This, coupled with US tariff issues, has further worsened the situation.
Chopra, who was in Kochi as part of a road show for the upcoming ALUMEX India 2025 in New Delhi, said that the domestic industry has asked the government to review the FTA’s to counter imports from ASEAN countries at zero per cent duty to India, as China is rerouting its products to India through these countries at cheaper prices.
US tariffs pose risks, but India’s domestic market offers potential
“India should rethink its own FTA agreements and import structure, because if the US can protect its industry through tariffs, why should we not protect ours?” he asked.
Regarding the US tariffs, Chopra said there is at least a concern for the time being. “We need exports for foreign currency inflows. At the same time, we have the advantage of a huge domestic market. Our per capita consumption of aluminium is approximately 3–4 kg, compared to 20-25 kg in China, 15-20 kg in the US, and a world average of 15 kg. So, we can step up our domestic production and increase consumption within India. This way, we can counter the impact of the US tariffs, at least temporarily”, he said.
High costs, clearances, and logistics hurt competitiveness
India, according to him, is the world’s third-largest aluminium producer with its own bauxite reserves, and raw material prices are highly volatile. However, delays in obtaining environmental clearances, high production costs, and high transportation costs are eroding competitiveness and discouraging capacity expansion.
Capacity underutilisation
The total installed aluminium extrusion capacity in India is 3 million tonnes per annum, but the utilisation is only around 1.2 million tonnes, with the remaining 1.8 million tonnes being imported, he said.
The demand for aluminium extrusions is growing due to infrastructure development, urbanisation, and industrialisation. The construction of new airports, railways, highways, smart cities, and other infrastructure projects has led to a greater use of aluminium due to its advantages, such as being lightweight, durable, and corrosion-resistant.
At the upcoming ALUMEX India 2025 in September, he stated that the show intends to showcase global opportunities for the aluminium extrusion sector and highlight growth opportunities.
