International Copper Association India (ICAI) conducted its 3rd India Copper Forum (ICF) on November 8 at Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel in New Delhi. The theme of the event was ‘One india One Vision – Copper in Technology, Innovation and Transformation’. The Guests of Honour were Arun Kumar, Secretary – Mines and S. Chadha, Joint Secretary – Commerce. In the inaugural session, Sanjeev Ranjan, Managing Director – ICAI welcomed the delegates. Arun Kumar presaged a good future for the copper industry in India, with local production poised to go up. Sanjay Chadha highlighted the scope for value addition in the industry, leading to higher price realisation. J. C. Laddha, CEO (Copper) at Hindalco, mentioned in his special address that at 0.5 kg per capita, the low copper consumption in India would translate into a huge potential for growth. P. Ramnath, CEO –
Sterlite Copper, Vedanta spoke about India in the Global Market Scenario. Shreegopal Kabra, MD – RR Kabel Global underlined the need for regulatory reforms.

Copper Excellence Awards were presented during the event. Blue Star won the award for Technology Adoption, forusing 5mm copper tubes for room air conditioner condensers. Voltas also won the Technology Adoption award for using 7mm copper tubes in packaged unit condensers. Awards were also conferred in other categories: Transforming India (EESL), Energy Efficiency – individual (Pawan Kumar Jain, CMD, Rourkela Steel Plant), Technology Adoption – individual (Milan Mehta, Vice CMD, Precision Wires), Technology Innovation – individual (Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwalla, Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras), Energy Efficiency (A. P. Productivity Council) and Electrical Safety – individual (D. H. Basavaraju, Chief Electrical Inspector, Karnataka).