India Loses 5% of GDP to Rust Vedanta Chairman Calls for Urgent Adoption of Galvanized Steel

Chandigarh, July 08th, 2025: In a powerful appeal to policymakers, infrastructure developers, and manufacturers, Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Ltd., has highlighted an invisible yet massive drain on the Indian economy, the corrosion of steel and iron.

“Every year, India loses nearly 5% of its GDP due to rusting, a silent destroyer accelerated by monsoon moisture and humidity,” Mr. Agarwal stated in his social media post. “This loss is entirely preventable.”

He called for a nationwide push towards galvanization, a proven method of protecting steel by coating it with zinc. Galvanized steel, he noted, offers unmatched durability and resilience in India’s diverse and often extreme climate conditions.

“Whether it’s your scooty, your car, or the country’s bridges and buildings—if it’s made of steel and exposed to weather, it must be galvanized. The safety and lifespan it ensures is priceless,” he emphasized.

Zinc, the critical mineral at the heart of this process, is not only key to preventing infrastructure decay but is also emerging as a game-changer in the battery revolution. “Zinc is being explored as a sustainable alternative to lithium in next-gen batteries, its strategic importance is only growing,” he added.

Mr. Agarwal’s message comes at a time when India is investing heavily in infrastructure and energy transition. His remarks serve as a timely reminder to build not just faster, but smarter, and to safeguard national assets against preventable losses.

Vedanta Ltd., one of the world’s largest producers of zinc, continues to advocate for future-ready materials and policies that align with India’s economic and environmental goals.