With the US having raised the tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, India’s aluminium extrusion industry body has asked the government to review and scale down import duties, free trade agreements and policies that boost imports.
During the curtain-raiser of the country’s first dedicated aluminium extrusion exhibition, ALUMEX India 2025, the president of ALEMAI (Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India), Jitendra Chopra, said the government needs to promote domestic production to reduce costs and make the industry more competitive.
"So the government needs to look closely at import duties, FTAs, and policies that promote higher domestic consumption," he said, adding, "When our local industry produces and consumes more, costs will reduce, production will rise, we will become more competitive globally, and this will offset the tariff impact."
According to Chopra, India's aluminium extrusion industry has an installed capacity of three million tonnes per annum, yet utilisation remains at just 1.2 million tonnes while imports account for more than 1.5 million tonnes, largely driven by price differences, FTA concessions, and duty-free access to value-added products under multiple HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) codes.
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“If the government restricts these imports, the domestic industry can increase production. That production will be consumed locally, creating value-added products,” Chopra said, and added that it will “automatically mitigate the effect of the US tariff”.
Aluminium extrusions have diverse applications in construction electronics, aerospace and renewable energy due to their light weight, strength, and corrosion-resistant quality.
Even though aluminium extrusion facilities across the country are under-utilised due to import pressures, volatile raw material prices, and production delays, the sector is expected to experience significant growth that is driven by infrastructure development, the automotive industry, and the expansion of renewable energy.
The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India represents more than 250 members nationwide, ranging from MSMEs to major enterprises. Around 20-25 players export to the US and other global markets.
In India, aluminium consumption per capita is only 3-4 kg, while the world's average is 11-13 kg. In China, it's higher at 25-30 kg, and in the US, it's 17-18 kg.
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