Hindalco Industries Limited has recently launched India’s’ first all-aluminium freight trailer in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Shri Udai Lal Anjana, Honourable Minister of Co-operative and IGNP, and Shri Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, Honourable Minister of Transport, Govt. of Rajasthan, along with Mr. Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco, handed over India’s first all-aluminium freight trailer to Kamal Exim Pvt. Ltd., a leading Jaipur-based transporter of UltraTech Cement Limited. UltraTech’s senior leaders, Managing Director Mr. K.K. Maheshwari and Deputy MD Mr. K.C. Jhanwar graced the occasion.
Speaking at the handover of their first aluminium trailer, Mr. Satish Pai, MD, Hindalco Industries Limited said, “Hindalco’s aluminium trailer is one of our big initiatives for India’s logistics and freight industry. At Hindalco, sustainability is integral to our business and this is a significant step to introduce sustainable, engineered transport solutions for the logistics industry. We are happy to commence our journey with UltraTech Cement and hand over our first aluminium trailer to help them reduce their logistics costs through better efficiencies. We will continue to empower and create value for our partners and nurture our environment through our ‘Aluminisation’ mission, which is guided by the purpose of making metals that are Greener, Stronger, Smarter.”
The aluminium freight trailer can ferry a wide range of materials such as cement, alumina, fly ash, grains, flour, steel coils and cylinders. The unique properties of aluminium ensures that the vehicle is safe, strong, durable, efficient and environmental-friendly, in addition to being cost-effective. The trailer is being engineered with inputs from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) to ensure optimum results.
Made from high-strength aluminium alloy, the 34-foot long aluminium trailer is 50% lighter and weighs over 2.5 tonnes less than an equivalent steel trailer. Each trailer saves over 15,000 litres of fuel, and gives off 25 tons less GHGs and helps in achieving BS-VI emission targets. Moreover, each trailer can potentially carry a corresponding extra load of ~2.5tonnes per trip, thus providing additional revenue and other business benefits to the transport industry.
For Hindalco, aluminium trailers represent a business turnover estimated at around Rs. 500-600 Cr with 50% adaption. The annual Indian trailer production is estimated to be around 20,000 units per annum. The trailer market in India, though cyclical, is expected to grow at a rate of 10-12 per cent annually. Speaking at the occassion, Mr. KK Maheshwari, MD, UltraTech Cement Limited said, “The logistics and freight market has really picked up in the last decade due to the improved road network in India. The introduction of a complete aluminium trailer would be a game-changer for the market due to its increased efficiency and support in reducing carbon footprint. We are excited to commission this aluminium trailer designed by Hindalco and look forward to ushering in a new era for the logistics and freight industry.”