New year, new beginnings

As the world welcomes the new year, Aditya Birla Group highlights some of its innovations and initiatives that promise to brighten your 2024!

It’s that time of the year — a moment to reflect on the past with gratitude for all that has been achieved and to look forward to how we can better ourselves in the new year. Aditya Birla Group stands firm on its promise to transform and shape a brighter and more sustainable future.

In today’s dynamic global business landscape, Aditya Birla Group continues to steer its diverse portfolio of companies with innovations which matter now – and tomorrow.

Operating across various sectors, including metals, cement, textiles, telecommunications, and financial services, here are 10 ways Aditya Birla Group is spearheading a positive change for you and your loved ones!

Get spoilt for choice

Over the past few years, ABFRL, the fashion powerhouse of the Group, has experienced tremendous growth. Through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, its portfolio has expanded to include iconic labels like Sabyasachi, Masaba, Shantnu & Nikhil, TASVA, and Jaypore.

In 2023, ABFRL acquired controlling stake in TCNS Clothing, bringing several new ethnic brands into its fold, including W, Aurelia, Wishful, Folksong, and Elleven. This is in addition to the company’s already extensive portfolio which features some of the biggest lifestyle brands in the global fashion industry, such as Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Peter England, Forever 21, Simon Carter, Fred Perry, and Ralph Lauren.

But ABFRL is not just about style. It’s also about conscious fashion. Sustainability has long been woven into ABFRL’s brand ethos.

By being water positive and achieving the 'Zero Waste to Landfill' status for all non-hazardous waste, ABFRL has already exceeded its 2025 mission targets. Moreover, against its commitment to using 100% sustainable packaging material by 2025,  it has achieved over 91.5%.

So, if you’ve purchased your NYE outfit from any of ABFRL’s brands, rest assured that you have already renewed your commitment to sustainable fashion and positioned yourself as a responsible corporate citizen!

Wear fabric that loves your skin

Birla Cellulose, the pulp and fibre division of the Group’s flagship entity Grasim, recently partnered with Algaeing, a clean textile innovation company, to develop a novel algae-powered fibre. This innovative cellulosic fibre promises to transform the textile manufacturing process by leveraging the natural hues of algae, eliminating the need for conventional dyeing methods and their consequential environmental impact. Moreover, owing to the abundance of rich nutrients, minerals, antioxidants, and botanical properties inherent in algae, these fibres will also be free from harmful chemicals!

Hold the metal of change

The next time you enjoy a can of soda refreshing drink, there’s a good chance that Aditya Birla Group had something to do with it! Novelis, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s metals flagship Hindalco, stands as the world’s largest recycler of used aluminium cans. In 2023, they recycled over 82 million cans; putting a beverage can back on shelves within just 60 days of being discarded!

Stay healthy, stay financially independent

Aditya Birla Capital has leveraged technology to transform the way financial services are delivered. By adopting the latest in digital technology, the company is successfully reaching out to its customers across various digital channels to provide them with the necessary financial services — financial planning, wealth management, and more. This inclusive approach not only enhances financial literacy but also empowers individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals.

The company is also incentivising consumers for adopting a healthier lifestyle through its innovative plans such as Activ Fit. It is a health insurance plan that’s designed specifically for the needs of the youth by offering protection at all relevant times as well as rewarding them for staying active and healthy. With a host of features and benefits— including an upfront good health discount of up to 10% basis on classification under good health risk, up to 50% HealthReturns on staying active, 100% sum insured refill, maternity cover, in-patient hospitalisation, among others – it’s making staying fit even more rewarding!

Switch to greener transportation

Planning to buy an electric vehicle in 2024? Novelis has been consistently contributing to the future of sustainable mobility with customised aluminium solutions for the fast-growing EV industry. These solutions enable automakers to create lighter and more efficient vehicles to meet the demands of the next generation. In October 2023, Birla Carbon acquired Nanocyl, a global leader in multi-wall carbon nanotubes, emerging as a leader in materials critical to the performance of lithium-ion batteries. This means that more consumers can soon start driving vehicles with lower environmental impact.

Not just that, through its closed-loop recycling technology, Novelis reuses aluminium scrap, saving energy that would otherwise be consumed in primary aluminium production. This is the same technology that has now being adopted by leading luxury car manufacturers to more cars through optimised recycling of end-of-life vehicles.

Experience a smoother rail journey

But, like us, if you prefer public transport to reduce environmental impact, there’s a lot happening on that front too. Hindalco has signed partnership agreements with Metra SpA and Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd. for building aluminium rail wagons and coaches in India.

Hindalco and Texmaco have joined hands to manufacture aluminium wagons and coaches for the Indian Railways. This partnership will support the Indian Railways in reaching its net-zero 2030 goal while also increasing operational efficiency. Weighing 180 tonnes lighter than traditional steel rakes and offering a 19% higher payload-to-tare weight ratio, Hindalco’s aluminium freight rakes promise significantly lower energy consumption and minimised wear and tear. As a result, passengers can now look forward to a smoother and more peaceful travel experience!

Build greener homes and buildings

As the cement flagship of the Group, UltraTech has pioneered initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable construction practices. With advanced technologies and alternative materials like UltraTech Litecon, UltraTech has developed eco-friendly cement solutions that not only meet the highest quality standards but also contribute to a greener planet.

Recycle e-waste the responsible way

While we love upgrading our gadgets, e-waste disposal is becoming a significant contributor to global waste and pollution. Many of our devices contain valuable metals like gold, silver, and copper that can be recovered. To reduce the pressure on the environment and curb the dangers brought upon by improper recycling methods, Hindalco has committed Rs. 2,000 crore to build a first-of-its-kind copper and e-waste recycling facility. Once operational, e-waste can finally be recycled domestically, drastically reducing export costs and creating an economically viable circular system.

Dine in style!

With the acquisition of KA Hospitality in 2023, Aditya Birla New Age Hospitality (ABNAH), the Group’s hospitality arm, expanded its growing portfolio with four iconic restaurants — Hakkasan, Yauatcha, Nara Thai, and CinCin. These are in addition to Club Jolie’s, a 20,000 square-foot members-only luxury club located in Worli, Mumbai. ABNAH aims to democratise fine dining in India and has partnered with renowned chef-restauranteur Rahul Akerkar to launch a chain of premium casual dining restaurants under the brand name ‘ODE’ across the country.

Enrich your life and that of those around you

Progress means little if we don’t grow together as a community. Over the past year, Aditya Birla Group launched Aditya Birla Centre for Enriching Lives (ABCEL), a unique multidisciplinary institution focused on researching problems, designing solutions, and scaling interventions aimed at enriching the quality of life for specific cohorts. ABCEL welcomes individuals, institutions and corporations to join its movement and become part of its vision.

Aditya Birla Group’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility positions it as a catalyst for positive change, poised to make your 2024 brighter than ever before. #BigInYourLife isn’t just a promise, but what the Group and all its companies work towards every day.