Hindalco Industries (NSE:HINDALCO) has partnered with Metalshub to introduce digital tenders for metallurgical-grade alumina sales through its subsidiary Utkal Alumina International.
The company announced the partnership on 17 September, with its first tender expected during the December quarter. Registered participants will receive the date, cargo quantity, and tender specifications in advance.
Buyers will submit electronic bids within defined tender windows. The process will replace Hindalco’s existing request-for-quotation approach to spot sales.
Hindalco currently sells alumina through a combination of long-term contracts and spot transactions. The company says digital bidding is intended to broaden buyer participation and improve price discovery.
According to Hindalco, about 10% of the 55–60 million tonnes of third-party alumina shipments traded globally each year is sold on the spot market. These transactions nevertheless influence benchmark prices used in longer-term contracts.
The company says alumina pricing relies significantly on privately published indices drawn from voluntarily reported transactions.
Hindalco’s Alumina Business CEO Saurabh Khedekar says the initiative aims to strengthen competitive pricing and improve market transparency.
Metalshub MD Sebastian Kreft says structured tenders can generate verifiable transaction data. Metalshub is also working with the London Metal Exchange’s LME Insight on transaction-based price discovery.
Hindalco’s operations span bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, and downstream products, including rolled aluminium, extrusions, and foils. The company also operates copper smelting and refining facilities.
Hindalco Industries is an Indian aluminium and copper producer within the Aditya Birla Group, with manufacturing operations across international markets.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Hindalco Industries
