Aditya Birla Group: A Complete Journey of Success and Innovation

By Archita LotaniFriday September 12, 2025

Founded back in 1857, today, the Aditya Birla Group has grown into $67 billion multinational conglomerate. Started as a cotton trading business by Seth Shiv Narayan Birla, the group has grown into one of the most respectable conglomerates in the world, spanning across metals, cement, textiles, fashion, financial services, telecom, and more. With operations in 41 countries, the group is known for innovation, global expansion, and industry leadership. Explore this article as it highlights the successful and innovative journey of Aditya Birla Group.

Aditya Birla Group’s Business Profile

Founded in	1857
Headquarters	Mumbai, Maharashtra
Industry	Multinational Conglomerate
Revenue	$67 billion [FY25]
Chairman	Kumar Mangalam Birla

Evolution of Leadership in Aditya Birla Group

Born in 1840, Seth Shiv Narayana Birla commenced trading in cotton. Later, Britain vigorously fostered the trade of opium with China and developed the cultivation of poppy in India. Shiv Narayana and his adopted son, Baldeo Das Birla, made an enormous fortune by trading opium in China and formed the base of the family’s wealth. Shiv Narayana established Shivnarayan Baldeodas, a trading house based in Bombay, which he passed to Baldeo Das Birla.

In 1887, Baldeo Das Birla moved to Calcutta to set up a new business venture, Baldeodas Jugalkishor. Baldeo Birla had four sons: Jugal Kishore, Rameshwar Das, Ghanshyam Das, and Braj Mohan. Born in 1894, Ghanshyam Das Birla [G.D. Birla] is recognised as the founding father of the Aditya Birla Group.

Source: Aditya Birla Group

G.D. Birla began his career in the family’s trading business. He expanded business into the industries of jute, cotton, and textiles. He also established multiple manufacturing businesses that laid the foundation for the Aditya Birla Group. He was recognised for his charitable acts and his connection with Mahatma Gandhi.

Born in 1943, Aditya Vikram Birla, grandson of G.D. Birla, expanded the group’s operations further. At 24, he began establishing businesses abroad. In 1969, even before globalisation, he founded 19 companies in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Egypt.

Source: Wikipedia

Aditya Birla’s son, Kumar Mangalam Birla, born in 1967, became chairman of the Aditya Birla Group in 1995 at age 28. Under his leadership, the group’s annual turnover increased from $2 billion in 1995 to $60 billion in 2022.

Transforming Journey of Aditya Birla Group

1857: Beginning

Seth Shiv Narayan Birla started trading cotton in Pilani, Rajasthan. At that time, India was under colonial rule, and he spotted opportunities in the global demand for Indian raw materials. Thus, his entry into the cotton trade laid the foundation of the Birla business ethos, i.e. taking calculated risks with an eye for opportunity.

1887: Baldeo Das Birla Expands Horizons

Baldeo Das entered into opium and jute trading, which were highly profitable industries. This move transformed the family’s financial base and reflected early potentials of the Birla group.

Early 1900s: Industrialisation

G.D. Birla initiated building industries, rather than continuing to focus on trading. He established factories for jute, textiles, and cotton, which created a manufacturing base for the group.

1940s – 1960s: Building India’s Infrastructure

In the mid-20th century, the Birlas invested heavily in sectors like cement, aluminium, and textiles, which were crucial in the initial phase of independent India. The group also introduced modern machinery and technology to reduce dependence on imports.

1969: Global Expansion

Aditya Vikram Birla set up 19 companies across Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Egypt. His ventures in palm oil, textiles, and fertilisers became a profitable powerhouse abroad. Hence, Aditya Birla became successful in expanding the group internationally before globalisation.

1980 – 1995: Diversification of the Group

Aditya Birla continued to expand into cement, carbon black, and telecom, while strengthening the metals and textiles base. He even adopted technology-driven operations and entered into new-age sectors.

1995 – Present: Global Acquisitions and Consumer & Retail Revolution

Kumar Mangalam Birla became the Chairman of the group after the untimely passing of Aditya Birla. He was successful in acquiring Novelis through Hindalco and became the world’s largest aluminium rolled-products company. He also introduced Aditya Birla Science and Technology Centre, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., Aditya Birla Capital, Vodafone Idea, and many more. Therefore, he grew the group’s turnover from $2 billion to $60 billion by 2022.

Today, the group operates in 41 countries across six continents. It employs over 140,000 people and generates $67 billion in revenue. The group is recognised among the world’s largest and most respected conglomerates.

Business Sectors of Aditya Birla Group: A Global Presence

This multinational conglomerate operates in diverse sectors, which are as follows:

Metal: Hindalco Industries

Hindalco Industries is the global leader in aluminium and copper, operating across the full value chain from mining to downstream products. With its subsidiaries, it is the world’s largest producer of flat-rolled aluminium products and a leader in recycling.

Cement: Ultratech Cement

Ultratech Cement is India’s largest manufacturer of grey cement, ready-mix concrete, and white cement. It is one of the largest cement companies globally, with its significant presence in multiple countries.

Textiles: Aditya Birla Textiles

Aditya Birla Textiles is led by key entities Grasim Industries and Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited [ABFRL]. The group is a leader in textiles, producing raw materials like Viscose Staple Fibre [VSF], Viscose Filament Yarn [VFY], and linen. Its textile business has a global manufacturing and market presence, focusing on innovation and sustainability through brands like Birla Cellulose and Liva.

Carbon Black: Birla Carbon

Birla Carbon is a global leader in manufacturing and supplying high-quality carbon black and Sustainable Carbonaceous Material [SCM]. It produces and supplies carbon-based solutions for various applications, including tires, coatings, inks, plastics, and batteries.

Chemicals: Aditya Birla Chemicals

Established in 1984, Aditya Birla Chemicals is a leader in Chlor-Alkali, Phosphates, Advanced Materials, and Sulphites. It provides chemical solutions and services to thousands of customers in over 80 countries with its manufacturing units in India, Thailand, and China.

Financial Services: Aditya Birla Capital

Aditya Birla Capital Limited [ABCL] has a vast network across India, with over 1,623 branches and more than 200,000 agents and channel partners. It acts as the parent company for the financial services subsidiaries and joint ventures of the Aditya Birla Group. Recently, they have launched their ABCD omnichannel platform.

Fashion and Retail: Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Limited [ABFRL]

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. [ABFRL] is a leading Indian fashion and lifestyle company, formed in 2015. It manufactures and retails a wide range of apparel and accessories for men, women, and children through its various brands like Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, and Pantaloons. However, it is set to demerge its lifestyle business into a separate entity, Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands.

Insulators: Aditya Birla Insulators

Aditya Birla Insulators is a major global manufacturer of ceramic and composite electrical insulators for power transmission, distribution, and substation applications, including high-voltage products up to 1200 kV and specialised equipment porcelains. It is the largest Indian producer and a top player, exporting to over 58 countries.

Renewables: Aditya Birla Renewables

Founded in 2011, Aditya Birla Renewables Limited [ABRL] is a leading clean energy solutions provider in India, offering solar, wind, and hybrid power. It operates 2.3 GW of renewable capacity in 9 Indian states and is aiming to achieve 4.5 GWp by FY2026 through utility and commercial projects.

Mining: Essel Mining & Industries Ltd. [EMIL]

Essel Mining & Industries Ltd. operates across coal mining as a Mine Developer and Operator [MDO] and commercial mining. It also produces Noble Ferro Alloys and iron ore products. Thus, the group has a significant presence in the green energy sector through its wind and solar power generation assets.

Real Estate: Aditya Birla Real Estate

Established in 2016, Aditya Birla Real Estate is recognised for developing high-quality, life-designed homes and commercial spaces. They have a strong presence in key real estate markets, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the NCR.

Telecom: Vodafone Idea [Vi]

Founded in 2018, Vi provides services to millions of customers with its focus on delivering innovative solutions and digital experiences. The group aims to contribute to the development of digital India with its telecom arm, with its wide-reaching network across India.

Trading: Aditya Birla Global Trading

Aditya Birla Global Trading [ABGT], formerly called Swiss Singapore Overseas Enterprises Pte Ltd, has a substantial international presence, operating across 24 countries. The company trades over 30 commodities, including agri products, agri-inputs, energy, and metals.

Jewellery: Indriya

Launched in 2024, Indriya provides over 20,000 curated and 8,000 exclusive designs for consumers. They aim to become a leading jewellery retailer in India by transforming the jewellery shopping experience for Indian consumers with its modern approach.

Science & Technology: Aditya Birla Science and Technology Company [ABSTC]

Aditya Birla Science and Technology Company is the corporate research and development centre, located near Mumbai, India. Its multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and engineers conduct research and develop innovative solutions for the group’s diverse businesses.

Insurance: Aditya Birla Sun Life Group

The Aditya Birla Sun Life Group is a joint venture between Aditya Birla Group and Sun Life Financial, offering a wide range of financial products and services in India. It operates several key entities, including life insurance, asset management services, and mutual funds.

Paints: Birla Opus

Launched in 2024, Birla Opus offers a comprehensive range of interior and exterior paints, waterproofing, wood finishes, and wallpapers, supported by a massive Rs. 10,000 crore investment in six large-scale manufacturing plants across India. It also offers a one-stop shop painting service called PaintCraft for transparent project management.

Media & Entertainment: Applause Entertainment

Established in 2017, Applause Entertainment is led by Sameer Nair. It produces and invests in high-quality digital content, including dramas, films, documentaries, and animation. Notable productions include award-winning series like Scam 1992, Criminal Justice, and Undekhi.

Challenges faced by Aditya Birla Group

Telecom Sector: Vodafone Idea has faced significant competition, technical outage and a complex regulatory environment. Due to that, there is a substantial drop in its subscriber base and retention of users.
Mutual Funds: Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC has steadily lost assets under management and market share due to poor investment decisions and underperformance.
Reducing Profits: Aditya Birla Capital is facing a decline in profit after tax and profit before tax, despite record net sales and PBDIT. The company also has a high debt-equity ratio that impacts its financial stability.
Construction: The group’s construction venture has addressed challenges like material shortages and quality control through its procurement platform, highlighting supply chain issues.
Price Volatility: The fluctuating costs of key inputs, including coal and aluminium, have impacted the production costs and thus disrupted the whole supply chain.

Sustainability Initiatives of Aditya Birla Group

The companies Ultratech and Birla Cellulose are aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050 and 2040, respectively.
Grasim and Hindalco actively plant millions of trees and restore degraded landscapes to promote biodiversity.
Ultratech Cement and ABFRL have become water positive through conservation and recycling efforts.
ABFRL is transitioning to biocompostable packaging materials from plastic packaging.
Birla Cellulose has introduced eco-friendly fibres like Livaeco.
Initiatives such as the Wadi Project support sustainable livelihoods for tribal populations by involving them in the fish trade.
The group has also implemented programs like the ‘Share Happiness Takeback Programme’ and ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ to foster a circular system in retail.

Financial Growth of Aditya Birla Group

Market Capitalisation: It has increased more than 500 times since 1996 and has more than doubled in the last 6 years. From 1996 to 2025, the market capitalisation has grown from $2 billion to $112 billion. This reflects revenue growth, investor confidence, global acquisitions, and diversification into new sectors.

Revenue: Over the past 5 years, revenue has grown by nearly 40%. In 2020, the revenue was recorded at $48 billion, which increased to $67 billion in 2025. This steady increase indicates balanced growth across metals, cement, financial services, and consumer-facing businesses that have been operating for decades.

EBITDA: EBITDA has grown 45 times since 1996, with a significant jump even after the pandemic era. In 2020, the EBITDA was at $6 billion, which increased to $8.9 billion in 2025. This demonstrates effective cost management, global synergies, and high-margin businesses like cement, metals, and financial services, which contribute to earnings.

Conclusion

The Aditya Birla Group’s journey from cotton trading to becoming a $67 billion global powerhouse demonstrates resilience, vision, and innovation. Each generation of leadership has propelled diversification, globalisation, and transformation across industries. Today, with a presence in 41 countries and leadership in multiple sectors, the group stands as a symbol of India’s entrepreneurial and global business excellence.