Ganesan A S with a long career of over 17 years at Jindal Aluminium Limited. His academic background is distin- guished, including a Master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from Annamalai University, a Master's degree in Commerce from the University of Madras, and a Bachelor's degree in Arts from Augurchand Manmul Jain College. His expertise in the domain of sales, combined with solid educational qualifications, positions Mr. Ganesan as a notable figure in the field of sales and marketing. As a spokesperson, Mr. Ganesan reflects the company's dedication to excellence and innovation, showcasing the collective achievements and success.

The national endeavour to establish '100 Smart Cities' is gaining momentum, fueled by the government's commitment to modernisation and digitalisation. This ambitious initiative is set to revolutionise urban landscapes, profoundly impacting housing, energy, transport, technology, and infrastructure. Among the key players in this transformation is aluminium extrusion, offering versatile solutions and sustainability benefits, particularly in urban mobility.

The demand for efficient and eco-friendly mobility solutions is paramount as India's urban centres undergo a paradigm shift under the Smart Cities Mission

The Rise of Smart Cities & Current Mobility Systems

India is experiencing rapid urbanisation, anticipating the migration of over 400 million people to cities within the next 35 years. Smart cities play a pivotal role in the country's economic growth, envisioned as dynamic clusters contributing significantly to its prosperity. The core focus of smart cities lies in overhauling existing urban infrastructure, especially how people move around in these urban centres and adapting to meet the population's evolving needs.

In the present scenario, multiple public transportation means, ride-sharing services, cycling lanes, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure characterise innovative urban landscapes. However, challenges persist. Urban mobility faces issues related to limitations in infrastructure, traffic congestion, insufficient last-mile connectivity, and the need for seamless integration among various commuter systems, which hinder the formation of a comprehensive and sustainable mobility solution.

Aluminium Extrusion: A Versatile Solution

The demand for efficient and eco-friendly mobility solutions is paramount as India's urban centres undergo a paradigm shift under the Smart Cities Mission. Engineered Aluminium, often hailed as the 'green metal', stands out as an environmentally sustainable choice in this evolution, showcasing a significantly lower carbon footprint than other metals once put in the loop. Its lightweight nature not only contributes to fuel efficiency but also aligns with the overarching goal of reducing vehicle emissions, thereby promoting sustainable urban transportation. Furthermore, Aluminium's unique properties, including malleability, ductility, and conductivity, position it as an ideal material for the seamless integration of advanced technologies into the transportation infrastructure of smart cities.

One such revolutionary technique within this spectrum is Aluminium Extrusion. This process involves pushing aluminium alloy material through a die to create specific shapes, like squeezing toothpaste from a tube. Through this method, three primary shapes are produced: solid (without enclosed voids), hollow (with one or more voids), and semi-hollow (with partially enclosed voids), making it highly adaptable for a diverse array of industrial applications.

Applications of Aluminium Extrusion in Mobility

Aluminium, initially used for its lightweight properties in aerospace, is now extensively used in various transportation segments — cars, buses, trains, ships, and more. Within the automobile sector, extruded Aluminium finds utility in crafting diverse parts like car body panels, structural components, safety systems, suspension parts, essential elements in ships, crucial components for commercial trucks and innovative solutions for aerospace technology. The prominent reason for choosing a custom aluminium extrusion design lies in its durability, weather resistance, corrosion resistance and longevity. Using aluminium-based parts can achieve up to a 50% reduction in weight, leading to enhanced fuel efficiency by around 6-8% and decreased carbon emissions in vehicles. These distinct properties enable the implementation of more environmentally sustainable transportation modes without compromising lifespan, safety, or design. Thus, Aluminium is poised to address stricter environmental regulations, meeting demands for improved safety and public preferences for eco-friendly vehicle options. Research also indicates that substantial improvement in mobility leads to a superior quality of life in sustainable urban environments.

"Aluminium is poised to address stricter environmental regulations, meeting demands for improved safety and public preferences for eco-friendly vehicle options"

Need for Joint Collaboration

With the Indian aluminium extrusion market size projected to reach $2.5 billion by 2027 and as smart cities emerge as hubs of urban excellence, the aluminium extrusion segment is set to play a vital role in generating valuable employment opportunities and contributing to the country's GDP. Hence, collective cooperation among industries, government bodies, and technology providers is becoming increasingly important to harness these opportunities and steer the sector toward sustainable growth.

Takeaway

As India advances to realise its Smart Cities vision, Aluminium emerges as a critical enabler of sustainable and efficient urban mobility. From electric vehicles to public transportation, aluminium extrusion stands at the forefront, symbolising innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility in shaping the future of smart cities. In the journey towards a smarter and more sustainable India, engineered Aluminium takes centre stage, contributing to the seamless integration of advanced mobility solutions into the urban fabric of tomorrow.