Aluminium is the most important non-ferrous metal. It has a wide range of uses. It is used in manufacturing aeroplanes, automobiles, railways, ships, household appliances, electrical cables and its foils are used as packing materials, for paint industry etc. It is a good substitute for steel and copper.
The location of aluminium industry is mainly governed by –
1. the availability of bauxite, which is the main raw material
2. supply of hydro electric power
3. wide market and capital.
Distribution: The aluminium industry is the second important metal based industry in India. It was started in 1942 at Jayakaynagar in West Bengal. Now there are nine major aluminium plants in the country. India has the eleventh place in the world for the production of aluminium products.
