ALEMAI Seeks Policy Action to Counter US Tariffs, Boost Domestic Aluminum Extrusion

New Delhi, India – Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has called for urgent measures to strengthen domestic consumption of aluminum extrusion products, warning that continued reliance on imports is undermining the sector’s competitiveness and exposing it to global tariff shocks.

India’s aluminum extrusion industry has an installed capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum, but utilization remains at just 1.2 million tonnes. Imports account for more than 1.5 million tonnes, largely due to price differences, Free Trade Agreement (FTA) concessions, and duty-free access to value-added products under multiple HSN codes. ALEMAI believes that unless safeguards are introduced, MSMEs will continue to face existential challenges.

Jitendra Chopra, President, ALEMAI, said, “The US tariffs have had a ripple effect on our industry, but the way to mitigate their impact is not to wait for external relief. Instead, we must grow our domestic market.”

Some states have been encouraging the use of UPVC plastic doors, windows, and partitions in tenders. However, the raw material for UPVC is derived from crude oil. Since India has ample bauxite reserves, ALEMAI has been advocating for increasing domestic consumption of aluminum. “If the government supports MSMEs by removing aluminum extrusion downstream value-added products from FTAs and ensures fair safeguards against cheap imports, India can emerge as a global leader in aluminum extrusion. We also need to increase billet production from companies such as NALCO to secure raw material supply,” he said.

Aluminum extrusion facilities are present all over the country, but under-utilization persists due to import pressures, high and volatile raw material prices, and production delays. Despite these challenges, the long-term outlook for India’s aluminum extrusion market remains strong. The sector is expected to experience significant growth, driven by infrastructure development, the automotive industry, and the expansion of renewable energy.

The construction sector continues to account for significant demand in doors, windows, facades, and structural applications. In the automotive industry, the shift towards light-weighting is expected to drive greater use of aluminum profiles. Similarly, renewable energy expansion, particularly solar, offers new avenues for growth.

ALEMAI organized ALUMEX India 2025, the country’s first dedicated aluminum extrusion exhibition, to highlight these opportunities and challenges. The event took place from September 10-13 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi and brought together more than 200 exhibitors and attract over 15,000 business visitors from across the aluminum value chain, including policymakers, MSMEs, large manufacturers, and global buyers. With participation from leading Indian and global players, ALUMEX India 2025 aimed to strengthen the aluminum extrusion ecosystem and position India as a global manufacturing leader.

“ALUMEX India 2025 was a show of confidence in the capabilities of India’s aluminum extrusion industry and reflected our commitment to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by reducing reliance on imports and strengthening our value chain,” Chopra added. The event featured sessions on technology localization, green extrusion practices, and MSME policy support. It examined the impact of FTAs, anti-dumping measures, and the role of production-linked incentives (PLI) in expanding India’s aluminum footprint.

ALUMEX India 2025 was supported by Hindalco, Vedanta, Commerce Ministry, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre, (JNARDDC—an autonomous body under the Ministry of Mines), Yantra India Ltd (making extrusion products for Defence and Autonomous Unit, Defence Ministry), and EEPC-India, Ministry of MSMEs.

Image Source: Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI)