The economy of Angul district witnessed a steep rise in the last few years. Various public sector undertakings and their ancillary industries have contributed enormously to the growth and prosperity of the district. There was hardly any industry in the district before the public sector undertakings were set up. The major industries in Angul are Mining, Thermal Power, Fertilizer Plant etc. of which large scale set up is present comprising of 4 main industrial estates namely National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Mahanandi Coal Fields limited (MCL), National Thermal Power Corporation(NTPC), Talcher Thermal Power Station(TTPS). There is also a considerable growth of small scale industries like, Creation of District Industrial Center (DIC), Ancillary Industries, Down Stream Industries etc.

It can be viewed that the level of production has increased from 15.5 M.T. to 36.52 M.T. in the last decade and the corresponding revenue has increased by a staggering 400%. Phenomenal rise in mining and allied activities have generated consistent employment opportunities in the region. Mega coal based industries like power plants of NTPC, NALCO have come up with present operational level of 1960 MW and 840 MW respectively. The capacity is likely to expand manifold in the years to come. One heavy water plant, one coal washers are also in operation.

National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) is regarded as the turning point in the history of Indian Aluminium Industry. In a major leap forward, Nalco has not only addressed itself to the country`s need for self-sufficiency in aluminium, but also given the country the technological edge in producing this strategic metal on the best of world standards. The district also has set up for the Bauxite mines, Alumina Refinery, Aluminium Smelter, Captive Power Plant, Port Facilities etc. Talcher coalfield is one of the major coalfields containing huge reserves of power grade non-coking coal. The total area of the coalfield is 1860 sq. kms where as potential area is 1580 sq. km. The total geological reserve is 36868.12 million tonnes, which constitutes 18.7% of the country`s total reserve. At present there are 7 opencast mines and 3 underground mines in operation with manpower of 10,220.

Small scale industries of the Angul district have been promoted using end products and by-products of NALCO and MCL known as down stream industries. Utilising the aluminium ingots, bars, billets, wire rods of NALCO, industries have been set up. Aluminium cable manufacturing units and utensil manufacturing units are under this category. Fly ash brick manufacturing units are also being promoted using fly ash, the polluting waste of power plants of NALCO (CPP) and NTPC. Most of the small scale sector industries functioning in the district are Engineering Units, Rice Mills, Hotels, Fly Ash Bricks, Stone Crushers, Service Units, Bleaching, Bread and Bakery, Tyre Rethreading, Flour Mills, Spices Grinding etc. Many Chuda Mills, Oil Expellers, Spices Grinding Units etc. have been set up in rural areas to cater to the need of rural mass.

Artisans of Angul district makes different crafts like Dhokra casting, Terracotta, Wood carving, Art textiles, Soft toys etc. Some clusters have been developed for Dhokra casting and Brass and Bell metal at Tangiri of Chhendipada Block, Natada of Kishorenagar Block and Tubey of Angul Block. Traditional Bell metal items i.e. Mana and Jagara of this district have found place in all handicraft centres and museums of India. With the help of Orissa Khadi and Village Industry Board, the artisans in Pottery, Carpentry, Stone crushing, Brick making, Spices grinding, Paddy processing, Beedi making, Khali stitching, Bamboo basket making have been assisted. Presently 9 cooperative societies are active in this sector.