Hindalco Commissions India’s First Superfine PPT ATH Plant in Belagavi

Hindalco Industries has commissioned India’s first Superfine PPT ATH manufacturing plant at its facility in Belagavi, Karnataka, marking a significant step towards domestic production of specialised fire-protection materials.

The greenfield facility has an annual production capacity of 30,000 tonnes and is aimed at meeting growing demand from industries such as wires and cables, polymer insulators, thermal insulation, composites and electric vehicles.

PPT ATH, or Precipitated Aluminium Trihydrate, is a halogen-free flame-retardant material. It is used in applications where controlling flame spread and smoke generation is important. In cable applications, the material helps provide fire protection without releasing halogen acid gases, making it relevant to safer electrical and infrastructure systems.

Hindalco said the first phase of the Belagavi plant is designed to meet almost the entire domestic demand for safer cables from the wire and cable industry. The facility has also been designed for phased expansion, with production capacity potentially increasing to 60,000 tonnes annually as market demand grows.

The investment comes as fire-safety requirements and the adoption of electric vehicles and infrastructure projects increase the need for specialised, high-performance materials. The introduction of IS 17048:2018 for Halogen-Free Flame Retardant cables by the Bureau of Indian Standards is also supporting wider adoption of such products in India.

A notable feature of the new facility is its energy profile. Hindalco said the plant operates entirely on renewable energy sourced from biomass, solar and wind. This makes the facility a significant addition to the company’s specialty alumina manufacturing operations, while also reducing the environmental footprint associated with production.

The technology and research and development behind the plant were developed in-house by Hindalco. Automated controls have been incorporated into critical processes to maintain consistency in feedstock quality and finished-product performance.

The company said the new facility strengthens its Specialty Alumina portfolio and reduces India’s dependence on imports for this specialised material.

With domestic manufacturing now in place, Hindalco is positioned to supply a growing market for safer, halogen-free materials as India expands its electrical infrastructure, mobility ecosystem and other applications requiring enhanced fire protection.