Nalco FY05 profit up 63%

The National Aluminium Company (Nalco), the country's largest producer and exporter of alumina and aluminium, has notched up a 63 per cent rise in Rs 1,200 crore profit in 2004-05 compared with Rs 737.37 crore in the previous year.

Turnover during the year stood at over Rs 4,000 crore against Rs 3,338.87 crore achieved in the previous year. Similarly its export earnings, which was Rs 1717 crore in 2003-04, has crossed Rs 2200 crore in the just concluded fiscal.

In 2004-05, Nalco surpassed all previous bests and has established new records in all areas of production and sales. The company produced highest-ever alumina of 15,75,500 tonne compared with 15,56,100 tonne during 2003-04.

Similarly, the company achieved cast metal production of 338,483 tonnes, which is an all time record, compared to previous high of 298,208 tonne.

On the marketing front also, Nalco recorded highest ever domestic metal sale of 205,700 tonnes exceeding the previous figure of 166,650 tonnes in 2003-04. Export metal sale of 132,730 tonnes is also a new record, compared with 129,719 tonnes in the previous year.

The all-round increase in production has significant effect on the company_s sales turnover and profitability during the year.

Nalco is currently implementing its second phase expansion programme envisaging increase in bauxite mines capacity to 63 lakh tonnes, alumina capacity to 21 lakh tonnes, aluminium capacity to 4.60 lakh tonnes and captive power plant capacity to 1200 MW. Rs 4091 crore expansion. The 2nd phase expansion programme involves an investment of Rs.4091 crores.