No 5. Kumar Mangalam Birla and Family | Kumar Mangalam Birla holds the fifth position with ₹2,32,850 crore in wealth, showing remarkable stability with only a 1% decrease. Leading the Aditya Birla Group, he oversees a multi-sector empire ranging from cement and metals to telecom and financial services. His disciplined growth strategy has earned him a reputation for steady, long-term leadership.
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CNBC TV1801-02-2026, 22:47

Birla's $6 Billion U-Turn: Why Aditya Birla Group is Investing Heavily in Upstream Metals

  • Kumar Mangalam Birla's "My Reflections 2025–26" reveals a strategic pivot to invest approximately $6 billion in upstream aluminum and copper capacity over the next five years in India.
  • This move marks a significant shift after a decade of prioritizing downstream integration and balance sheet repair, signaling a long-term structural bet on global commodity cycles and India's demand.
  • The timing is crucial, driven by China's aluminum capacity caps, India's growing demand from infrastructure, EVs, and defense, and policy push for domestic manufacturing.
  • Aluminum and copper are critical for energy transition, grids, EVs, electronics, and defense, making this investment a strategic play for national security and growth.
  • The investment aims for long-term durability and scale, despite lower immediate ROI compared to downstream assets, positioning the group to benefit from future demand and potentially pressure Indian and global peers.

Why It Matters: Aditya Birla Group's $6 billion upstream metals investment signals a major strategic bet on India's industrial future.

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