**Executive Summary**
The Heavy Water Board (HWB) in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has initiated construction of a pilot plant at NALCO, Damanjodi, Odisha. This demonstration plant aims to recover Metal-G from the spent liquor of alumina refinery using an Ion-Exchange (IX) process, marking a step towards self-reliance in semiconductors. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on November 20th, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Project Overview**
* Construction of a demonstration plant has commenced for Metal-G recovery from spent liquor of the alumina refinery.
* The plant is located at NALCO, Damanjodi, Odisha.
* The recovery process is based on the Ion-Exchange (IX) method.
* **Significance**
* This project is a step towards a cleaner and greener future.
* It marks a milestone in India's efforts to transition towards self-reliance in semiconductor production.
* The facility demonstrates the potential of indigenously developed special resin and solvent.
* The project aligns with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
* **Metal-G Properties and Applications**
* Metal-G has a very low melting point and very high boiling point.
* It has applications in electronics for high-speed semiconductors and integrated circuits (ICs) for space and defense applications.
* The pilot plant offers an environmentally friendly, scalable solution for Metal-G production.
* **Event Details**
* The groundbreaking ceremony took place on November 20th, 2025.
* Shri S. Satyakumar, Chairman & Chief Executive of HWB, and Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of NALCO, officiated at the ceremony.
**Impact Analysis**
**NALCO, Damanjodi, Odisha**
*Impact:* Hosts the pilot plant, facilitating Metal-G recovery from its alumina refinery's spent liquor.
*Action Required:* Support the construction and operation of the plant.
**Heavy Water Board (HWB)**
*Impact:* Plays a significant role in the construction of demonstration plant for recovery of Metal-G.
*Action Required:* Oversee and ensure the successful establishment and functioning of the pilot plant.
**Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)**
*Impact:* Collaborates with HWB in the Metal-G recovery demonstration plant.
*Action Required:* Provide technical expertise and resources for the project.
**Semiconductor Industry**
*Impact:* Benefits from the increased domestic production of Metal-G, reducing dependency on import.
*Action Required:* Monitor the pilot plant's progress and prepare for potential future partnerships or resource opportunities.
**India**
*Impact:* Joins the ranks of nations at the forefront of Metal-G production, enhancing its self-reliance in the semiconductor industry and strengthening its position in space and defense applications.
*Action Required:* Support and promote similar projects for further advancements in technological self-reliance.
Key Entities Referenced
Metal-G: A metal with applications in electronics for high-speed semiconductors and integrated circuits for space and defense applications, recovered from spent liquor of alumina refinery.
Damanjodi, Odisha: Location of the NALCO refinery where the groundbreaking ceremony for the pilot plant for Metal-G recovery took place.
Heavy Water Board (HWB): The organization collaborating with BARC on the construction of a demonstration plant for Metal-G recovery.
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): Collaborating with HWB to develop the demonstration plant for recovering Metal-G from the spent liquor of alumina refinery.
NALCO: The company whose alumina refinery in Damanjodi, Odisha, is the location of the Metal-G recovery pilot plant.
Department of Atomic Energy
India joins the ranks of nations at the forefront of
Metal-G production
Ground Breaking Ceremony of Pilot plant for recovery of
Metal-G from Spent liquor of Alumina refinery at NALCO,
Damanjodi, Odisha
प्रव तथ: 08 DEC 2025 3:10PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai,8 December 2025
In a significant step towards a cleaner, greener future, the Heavy Water Board
(HWB), in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has started
construction of a demonstration plant for recovery of valuable metal from spent
liquor of alumina refinery based on Ion-Exchange (IX) process. This pioneering
project, located at the NALCO, Damanjodi Odisha, marks a crucial milestone in
India’s efforts to transition towards self-reliance in semiconductors.
The ground breaking ceremony was held on 20th November, 2025, at NALCO
refinery in Damanjodi Odisha by Shri S. Satyakumar, Chairman & Chief Executive,
Heavy Water Board (HWB) and Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing
Director, NALCO. The Occasion was graced by prominent figures, including Dr.
Raghvendra Tiwari, Director Material group, BARC, Shri. Jagdish Arora, Director
(P&T), NALCO along with other esteemed dignitaries from BARC, HWB and NALCO.
The Chairman & Chief Executive, Heavy Water Board, Shri S. Satyakumar expressed
that this first-of-its-kind facility demonstrates the potential of the indigenously
developed special resin and solvent in recovering Metal-G from the spent liquor. By
recovery of Metal-G from spent liquor of NALCO, we will be reducing dependency on
import to cater our countries semiconductor requirements.
Metal-G, with its very low melting point and very high boiling point, has applications
in electronics for high-speed semiconductor and integrated circuits (IC’s) for space
and defence applications. This pilot plant offers a breakthrough by providing an
environment friendly, scalable solution for Metal-G production which aligns with the
national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat
With this ambitious demonstration plant, India joins the ranks of nations at the
forefront of Metal-G production.Source: DAE
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Priti MalandkarFollow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]co
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