BioPrime AgriSolutions has entered into a commercial collaboration with The Mosaic Company, a global leader in crop nutrition, to integrate its biological components into Mosaic’s fertilizer and crop nutrition solutions. The partnership aims to improve nutrient use efficiency (NUE), enhance crop productivity and support sustainable farming practices through advanced biological technologies.

Collaboration to Enhance Fertilizer Efficiency

Renuka Diwan, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of BioPrime AgriSolutions, said the collaboration will help farmers unlock the plant’s natural potential, optimise resource utilisation and build long-term agronomic resilience. Under the agreement, BioPrime will supply ready-to-integrate biological additives, which Mosaic will blend into fertilizer sachets and formulations during packaging. The biological additives have been developed in powder form and are compatible with existing fertilizer manufacturing infrastructure. As a result, fertilizer companies can easily coat the additives onto products without changing regulatory nutrient profiles.

Seven Fertilizer Grades Validated

BioPrime has already validated seven fertilizer grades for integration across different crop growth stages, ranging from vegetative to reproductive phases. According to Diwan, the integrated crop performance system will simultaneously activate multiple biological pathways, enabling crops to utilise nutrients more efficiently while improving overall plant health. Importantly, the initiative seeks to improve fertilizer efficiency without increasing fertiliser costs for farmers. “The objective is not to encourage higher fertiliser application, but to maximise output from existing input levels,” Diwan said.

Two Years of Farmer Trials Before Commercial Launch

Before launching the collaboration commercially, BioPrime and The Mosaic Company conducted extensive farmer trials over a two-year period. The trials focused on improving crop productivity, nutrient absorption and overall agronomic performance under real farming conditions. The partnership comes at a time when the agricultural sector is facing increasing pressure from rising fertilizer costs, supply chain disruptions and climate-related uncertainties.

Addressing Nutrient Use Efficiency Challenges

Diwan highlighted that India’s fertilizer use efficiency currently stands at nearly 20 percent, compared with around 30 percent globally, indicating substantial room for improvement. BioPrime has been working on enhancing NUE through its proprietary SNIPR™ discovery platform, which develops biological technologies aimed at improving plant performance and soil health. The collaboration with The Mosaic Company is expected to accelerate commercialisation of these technologies and expand their reach among farmers.

Biologicals to Support Sustainable Agriculture

The partnership also aligns with the Indian government’s growing focus on biological agricultural solutions amid fertilizer import dependence and supply volatility. According to BioPrime, the integrated solutions go beyond conventional fertilizer use by improving nutrient absorption, strengthening plant metabolism and enhancing crop resilience against abiotic stresses such as drought, heat and salinity. The company’s biological technologies activate key plant metabolic pathways, enabling crops to convert available nutrients into yield more effectively while reducing nutrient losses.

Creating a New Category of Crop Nutrition Solutions

Diwan said the BioPrime-Mosaic partnership aims to redefine fertilizer applications by combining biological intelligence with conventional crop nutrition systems. “By embedding biological intelligence into proven nutrition platforms, we are not replacing fertilizers; we are elevating them,” she said. The integrated system aims to nourish, activate and strengthen crops throughout the entire growth cycle while improving farm productivity and sustainability.

Mosaic Highlights Integrated Farming Solutions

Robin Edwin, Director at The Mosaic Company, said the collaboration represents another step toward developing integrated farming solutions that improve productivity, nutrient efficiency and overall farm performance. The partnership is expected to support growers globally as agriculture increasingly shifts toward sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices.

BioPrime Expands Global Patent Footprint

BioPrime has already filed patent applications in India and 16 other countries to strengthen its global commercialisation efforts. Diwan added that the current geopolitical and supply-chain challenges have created fresh momentum for biological solutions, leading to stronger farmer interest and greater policy support from governments worldwide. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, BioPrime aims to gradually reduce dependence on conventional fertilizers through biological technologies that improve efficiency, sustainability and soil health.

India and the United States signed a major framework agreement to enhance cooperation in the mining, processing and supply of critical minerals and rare earths, further strengthening strategic and economic ties between the two countries. The Framework on “Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths” was signed in New Delhi by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Focus on Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Supply Chains

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the new framework aims to deepen India-US collaboration across the entire critical minerals and rare earths value chain. This includes mining, processing, recycling, financing and investments related to critical minerals. The agreement also seeks to build resilient and diversified supply chains while promoting cooperation in the efficient management and recycling of critical minerals and rare earth scrap. The partnership comes at a time when countries worldwide are focusing on securing access to critical minerals that are essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, semiconductors, electric vehicles and defence applications.

Building on Existing India-US Cooperation

The latest framework further strengthens ongoing India-US cooperation in securing critical supply chains across key sectors. The MEA noted that India became a signatory to the US-led Pax Silica initiative on February 20, 2026. Additionally, India and the United States signed a joint statement on the “India-US AI Opportunity Partnership” as a bilateral addendum to the Declaration. These initiatives collectively reflect the expanding technology and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Collaboration Through FORGE Initiative

India and the United States are also collaborating under the Forum on Resource Geostrategic Engagement (FORGE) initiative, which focuses on strengthening cooperation in critical mineral resource development and supply chain resilience. Critical minerals and rare earth elements play a crucial role in modern industrial ecosystems, particularly in sectors such as renewable energy, battery manufacturing, aerospace, electronics and artificial intelligence. As reported by ddnews.gov.in, with global competition for these resources intensifying, the India-US framework is expected to support long-term supply security, technological collaboration and sustainable resource management for both countries.

JK Tyre & Industries approved a capital expenditure (capex) plan of ₹4,980 crore to expand its passenger car radial (PCR) and truck and bus radial (TBR) tyre manufacturing capacities at its Chennai and Mysuru plants by 2030. The company plans to fund the expansion through a combination of internal accruals and debt. According to JK Tyre, the investment aims to strengthen its market position amid rising demand across tyre categories in India.

Expansion to Be Executed in Three Phases

Raghupati Singhania, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of JK Tyre, said the company expects sustained growth momentum and a further pick-up in demand. He stated that the expansion programme will be implemented in three phases. The first phase, accounting for 50 per cent of the total investment, is scheduled for completion by August 2028. The second phase, representing 40 per cent of the outlay, will be completed by April 2029, while the final phase is targeted for December 2029. The company said the proposed expansion will increase its overall production capacity by nearly 24 per cent from current levels.

Strong Demand Drives Capacity Expansion

JK Tyre noted that the Indian tyre industry is witnessing robust demand across multiple vehicle segments. As a result, the company is expanding its manufacturing footprint to maintain and strengthen its market presence. Industry growth has been supported by improving economic activity, infrastructure development and rising automobile demand across both passenger and commercial vehicle categories.

Board Re-Appoints Raghupati Singhania as CMD

In addition to approving the capex plan, the board also approved the re-appointment of Raghupati Singhania as Chairman and Managing Director for another five-year term beginning October 1, 2026.  As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, for the full financial year FY26, consolidated net profit more than doubled, rising 114 per cent to ₹905 crore compared with ₹422 crore in FY25. Total income for the year climbed 11 per cent to ₹16,384 crore from ₹14,772 crore in the previous fiscal.

UPL, through its subsidiary SWAL, secured Fertilizer Control Order (FCO) registration for Bioclassic, a flagship biostimulant developed by NPP, the company’s natural plant protection biologicals business. With this approval, Bioclassic can now be marketed to farmers across India, significantly strengthening UPL’s biosolutions portfolio.

Advanced Biostimulant Developed Through Proprietary Technology

UPL developed Bioclassic using a proprietary fermentation process and formulated it as a soluble concentrate. The company designed the product to improve plant performance during the vegetative growth stage. Farmers are advised to apply the biostimulant twice at ultra-low dose rates. According to the company, Bioclassic enhances key plant traits such as branching and photosynthesis. As a result, crops accumulate more resources, improve overall vigour, withstand stress more effectively and achieve incremental yield gains.

Proven Performance Across Diverse Conditions

During extensive field trials, Bioclassic demonstrated strong efficacy across varied climatic and soil conditions. The product performed particularly well under challenging agricultural environments, reinforcing its suitability for Indian farming conditions. In addition, farmers can apply the biostimulant using conventional spraying systems. Where permitted, the product can also be deployed through drone-based application platforms in line with standard operating procedures.

Addressing Climate and Soil Challenges

Ravishankar Cherukuri, CEO of UPL SAS, highlighted the product’s relevance for Indian agriculture. He said Bioclassic has been specifically designed to tackle real-world stress conditions frequently faced by Indian farmers, including extreme heat and highly alkaline soils prevalent across several states. According to him, the registration also reflects the increasing role of biological solutions in enhancing farm resilience while supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Part of UPL’s ProNutiva Sustainable Farming Platform

Anil Rohra, Global NPP Business Unit Leader, stated that Bioclassic forms an important part of UPL’s ProNutiva programme, which integrates conventional crop protection products with advanced biosolutions. He added that the biostimulant improves resource efficiency, supports long-term crop health and delivers value across crops such as oilseeds, pulses and vegetables.

UPL Expands Biosolutions Portfolio in India

Alongside Bioclassic, UPL has also secured registration approvals for four additional biostimulants in India — Opteine, Gaxy, Macarena and Pilatus. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the approvals mark a significant expansion of the company’s biosolutions portfolio and reinforce its focus on sustainable and science-driven agricultural technologies.

LANXESS has once again emerged as one of the most sustainable companies in the global chemical industry. In the latest Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index, the specialty chemicals company secured the top position in Europe in the “Chemicals” category and ranked fifth globally. The company delivered particularly strong performances in key sustainability areas, including climate strategy, water management, human rights and product stewardship.

Sustainability Remains Core to Corporate Strategy

Commenting on the achievement, Matthias Zachert, Chief Executive Officer of LANXESS AG, said the recognition highlights the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability despite challenging economic conditions. According to Zachert, sustainability remains firmly integrated into LANXESS’ corporate strategy, with the company continuing to focus on climate protection, responsible resource management and strong corporate governance practices. He added that international recognition from leading sustainability indices strengthens the company’s credibility among customers, investors and business partners.

Sustainalytics Upgrades LANXESS to “Low Risk” Category

In another major milestone, LANXESS improved its sustainability rating from Sustainalytics, a globally recognised ESG rating agency that evaluates environmental, social and governance risks. The company moved from the “Medium Risk” category to the more favourable “Low Risk” category. With a score of 19.6 points, LANXESS now ranks among the top 4 per cent of companies in the Specialty Chemicals segment and within the top 6 per cent of the global chemical industry. The lower the Sustainalytics score, the better the company’s ESG performance and risk management capabilities.

Global ESG Agencies Recognise LANXESS Performance

Several other international sustainability rating organisations have also acknowledged LANXESS’ strong ESG performance in recent months. Climate protection initiative CDP once again placed LANXESS on its prestigious “A List” for climate action. In addition, the company received an “A-” rating for its water management initiatives. Meanwhile, sustainability assessment platform EcoVadis reaffirmed LANXESS’ Gold status. The company scored 83 out of a possible 100 points, placing it among the top-performing companies in its industry.

LANXESS Targets Climate Neutrality by 2040

As per the press release, LANXESS continues to advance its long-term sustainability roadmap with ambitious climate goals. The company aims to achieve climate-neutral production and energy use by 2040. Furthermore, LANXESS plans to make its entire value chain climate neutral by 2050. Its sustainability strategy combines environmental responsibility with economic growth and responsible corporate governance, supporting the company’s broader vision for sustainable industrial development.

Enviro Infra Engineers Limited, an infrastructure company specializing in water and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and water supply scheme projects (WSSPs), announced its audited consolidated financial results for the quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026. During FY26, the company strengthened its core infrastructure business while also expanding into the renewable energy sector through the creation of a wholly owned subsidiary.

Strong Focus on Water and Wastewater Infrastructure

The company continued to build momentum in the water and wastewater treatment segment by completing several large and technically complex projects ahead of schedule. According to Sanjay Jain, Chairman, Enviro Infra Engineers Limited the successful execution of integrated waste-to-energy and wastewater infrastructure projects significantly enhanced the company’s technical qualifications for upcoming large-scale wastewater treatment tenders across India. He stated that FY26 marked a transformational phase for Enviro Infra Engineers as the company strengthened its project execution capabilities while expanding into new infrastructure verticals.

Order Book Strengthens Despite Delays in Bid Evaluation

Enviro Infra Engineers reported a significant improvement in its order book position during FY26. However, the company noted that delays in bid evaluations and prolonged design approval processes affected the commencement of execution for certain projects. Additionally, global market uncertainties during March 2026 contributed to a spillover in topline performance compared to earlier projections. Despite these challenges, the company maintained strong operational momentum through disciplined project management, technology-driven execution and improved operational efficiencies.

Company Expands into Renewable Energy Business

During FY26, Enviro Infra Engineers diversified into the renewable energy sector and established a presence across three key verticals solar energy, wind energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). In its first year in the renewable segment, the company acquired solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) projects and a BESS IPP project. It also secured a 930 MWh BESS project from NTPC Limited under the EPC segment. The acquisition of Suyog Urja Limited strengthened the company’s renewable energy capabilities by adding execution experience across approximately 1,200 MW of projects and an active execution pipeline of nearly 1,702 MW.

Diversified Order Book Enhances Revenue Visibility

The company emphasized that its diversified project portfolio across municipal infrastructure, industrial projects and renewable energy provides strong long-term revenue visibility. By entering the B2B renewable energy segment, Enviro Infra Engineers has also diversified its business model and reduced operational risk exposure.

Positioned for Long-Term Infrastructure Growth

Enviro Infra Engineers believes that rising investments in water infrastructure, renewable energy and energy storage projects across India will create substantial long-term growth opportunities. The company aims to capitalize on this expanding market through continued operational excellence, advanced project execution capabilities and strategic diversification into high-growth infrastructure sectors. As per the press release, with growing demand for sustainable infrastructure solutions, the company remains focused on delivering long-term value creation while strengthening its position in India’s infrastructure and clean energy ecosystem.

Ohmium International, manufacturer of high-efficiency Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, and InSolare Energy, a renewable energy solutions company with strong EPC expertise, announced a strategic collaboration to develop a 4 MW green hydrogen project for NLC India Limited at Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. The landmark project is expected to produce up to 700 metric tons of green hydrogen annually and will support multiple applications across power generation, industrial operations and clean mobility solutions. The initiative further strengthens India’s push toward carbon neutrality and supports the country’s long-term clean energy transition goals.

Green Hydrogen Project to Support Multiple Applications

The upcoming green hydrogen facility will play a key role in advancing sustainable energy adoption across sectors. The project has been designed to serve diverse applications, including power generation, industrial energy requirements and clean mobility and transportation. As India accelerates investments in renewable energy and green hydrogen infrastructure, the project positions NLC India among the frontrunners in the country’s emerging hydrogen economy.

Ohmium to Supply Advanced PEM Electrolyzer Technology

Ohmium will contribute its advanced PEM electrolyzer technology and manufacturing capabilities to ensure efficient and reliable hydrogen production. According to Dr. Hemanshu Bhatt, COO and Co-Founder, InSolare Energy, Ohmium’s India-based manufacturing and modular PEM solutions align well with the project’s vision for localized green hydrogen production. He stated that Ohmium’s highly efficient technology, combined with continuous research and development, rigorous testing and strong local service support, makes the company an ideal technology partner for the project.

InSolare to Lead EPC and Integrated Energy Infrastructure

InSolare Energy will leverage its expertise in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), utility-scale solar projects and hybrid renewable systems to execute the integrated clean energy project. Dr. Markus Tacke, CEO, Ohmium International highlighted that InSolare’s proven EPC capabilities and experience in green hydrogen technologies strongly complement Ohmium’s PEM electrolyzer platform. He added that the partnership will deliver a fully integrated green hydrogen solution for NLC India while accelerating India’s broader energy transition objectives.

Strengthening India’s Green Hydrogen Ecosystem

By combining Ohmium’s advanced electrolyzer technology with InSolare’s engineering and project execution strengths, the collaboration aims to create a scalable and locally delivered green hydrogen solution. The project also reinforces the strategic importance of developing indigenous clean energy infrastructure and reducing dependence on conventional fossil fuels. As reported by lelezard.com, as India continues to expand investments in renewable energy and hydrogen technologies, the NLC India project is expected to serve as a significant milestone in the country’s evolving green hydrogen ecosystem.

NLC India Limited has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) Dhanbad TEXMiN to strengthen India’s capabilities in critical and strategic mineral exploration, beneficiation and advanced research. The collaboration aligns with the government’s National Critical Mineral Mission and aims to reduce the country’s dependence on imported critical minerals required for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and strategic industries.

Strategic Partnership to Support India’s Mineral Security

Through the collaboration, NLC India and TEXMiN will work together to develop advanced technologies and research solutions to meet India’s growing demand for critical and strategic minerals. The partnership will focus on several key areas, including exploration of critical and strategic minerals, participation in auctioned mineral blocks, acquisition of mineral assets in India and overseas and research on rare earth elements (REEs) from secondary sources such as overburden, lignite, coal and mine tailings. By strengthening domestic mineral exploration and resource development, the initiative aims to support India’s long-term industrial growth and energy transition goals.

Focus on Rare Earth Elements and Sustainable Resource Recovery

A major focus area of the partnership will be research on extracting rare earth elements and trace minerals from secondary and underutilised resources. This includes recovering valuable minerals from mining waste, overburden material and lignite deposits. Such efforts are expected to improve resource efficiency while supporting sustainable mining and circular economy practices in the mineral sector.

Collaboration to Drive Mining Innovation and Technology Development

The MoU also aims to accelerate innovation in India’s mining and mineral processing sector. Under the partnership, both organisations will work on advanced mineral exploration technologies, improved beneficiation and extraction processes, research on rare earth and trace elements, sustainable mining practices and knowledge sharing and technical collaboration. TEXMiN will contribute scientific expertise, advanced research capabilities and innovation support, while NLC India will bring extensive operational experience in mining and resource development.

Supporting India’s Clean Energy and Manufacturing Goals

The collaboration is expected to strengthen India’s strategic mineral supply chain and support emerging sectors such as clean energy, electric mobility, electronics and advanced manufacturing. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, as global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, the partnership between NLC India and IIT(ISM) TEXMiN marks an important step toward enhancing India’s self-reliance in mineral resources and securing long-term raw material availability for future technologies.

The Department of Fertilizers withdrew its recent advisory on surplus ammonia utilisation by urea manufacturers and restored the existing policy framework following a clarification issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). The withdrawn advisory, issued on April 18, 2026, had regulated the sale and utilisation of surplus ammonia generated by urea manufacturing units. However, after reviewing the clarification from MoPNG dated May 12, 2026, the government decided to revert to the earlier policy mechanism governing surplus ammonia management.

MoPNG Clarifies Use of Pooled Natural Gas

The ministry of petroleum and natural gas clarified that pooled natural gas supplied to fertiliser plants must be used exclusively for urea production. At the same time, it stated that surplus ammonia generated during the production process may continue to be managed under the existing surplus ammonia policy applicable to urea plants. The clarification is based on the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, notified on March 9, 2026. The regulation mandates that natural gas allocated to fertiliser manufacturers cannot be diverted for non-fertiliser purposes.

Earlier Fertilizer Supply Directions Continue

Although the April 2026 advisory has now been withdrawn, the department of fertilizers has instructed urea manufacturers to continue complying with its earlier directive dated August 6, 2024. Under this directive, urea manufacturers must prioritise the supply of surplus ammonia to Phosphatic and Potassic (P&K) fertiliser manufacturers to support domestic fertiliser production and maintain supply stability.

Ammonia Shortages Triggered Policy Review

The government’s policy revision follows reports of acute ammonia shortages faced by P&K fertiliser manufacturers across the country. Authorities also raised concerns regarding the sale of ammonia at unreasonable prices, which affected raw material availability for the fertiliser sector. In addition, the Department observed that some urea manufacturers had floated open tenders to sell surplus ammonia outside the fertiliser sector. According to the government, such actions directly violated the provisions of the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026.

Government Issues Fresh Directions to Urea Manufacturers

In response to these concerns, the department of fertilizers has issued fresh operational directions to all urea manufacturers. The Department stated that surplus ammonia sales must remain restricted to fertiliser production activities, supplies should be prioritised for P&K and NPK fertiliser manufacturers, ammonia should be sold at reasonable prices to support the fertiliser industry, and any remaining surplus, beyond P&K sector requirements or permitted cold storage applications, must be immediately reported to authorities The government has directed companies to report any diversion of surplus ammonia to non-fertiliser sectors along with complete justification for such transactions.

Policy Aims to Strengthen Fertilizer Supply Chain

By restoring the earlier surplus ammonia framework, the government aims to improve raw material availability for the fertiliser industry, prevent supply disruptions and ensure better compliance with natural gas allocation rules. As reported by knnindia.co.in, the revised approach is also expected to support balanced ammonia distribution, stabilise fertiliser production and strengthen India’s overall agricultural input supply chain.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), one of India’s largest state-owned oil and gas producer, reported a strong financial performance for the fourth quarter and full financial year FY26. The energy major recorded a sharp increase in consolidated net profit, announced its highest-ever dividend payout and highlighted major operational improvements at the Mumbai High offshore field. The company’s robust earnings performance, coupled with aggressive expansion plans and production revival strategies, has significantly strengthened investor confidence in ONGC’s
long-term growth outlook.

Mumbai High Revival Strategy Delivers Early Success

ONGC’s operational turnaround strategy has started yielding encouraging results following the onboarding of BP as Technical Service Provider (TSP) for the iconic Mumbai High offshore field. The company reported strong production performance at Mumbai High:

*Oil production reached 102% of the target baseline

*Gas production achieved 108% of the target baseline

Encouraged by the positive outcomes, ONGC now plans to expand BP’s technical role across the entire Western Offshore region to further improve production efficiency and reservoir management.

Daman Upside Project to Boost Gas Production

ONGC also confirmed that the Daman Upside Development Project, one of its major offshore gas initiatives, has started monetization in record time. The project is expected to increase the company’s overall gas production by nearly 9%. The faster monetization of offshore gas assets is expected to strengthen ONGC’s earnings visibility while supporting India’s growing energy demand.

ONGC Launches Project DeepX for Deepwater Exploration

To accelerate future hydrocarbon discoveries, ONGC has launched a specialized exploration initiative called Project DeepX under its broader “Samudra Manthan” strategy. The company aims to double its deepwater drilling activity over the next two years as part of its long-term plan to enhance domestic oil and gas production and strengthen India’s energy security. Additionally, ONGC highlighted the growing contribution of premium-priced new well gas to its overall earnings performance.

Massive Offshore Investment Pipeline Underway

ONGC currently has offshore projects worth approximately ₹33,075 crore under development in the Western Offshore region, marking one of the company’s largest investment cycles in recent years. These investments are focused on increasing offshore oil and gas production, enhancing reservoir recovery efficiency, expanding deepwater exploration and strengthening energy infrastructure. The company has also engaged several global technical experts to address reservoir challenges in the KG Basin and improve production efficiency from existing assets.

Strong Growth Outlook Supported by Expansion Plans

With rising gas monetization, improved subsidiary earnings and aggressive offshore expansion initiatives, ONGC appears well-positioned for sustained long-term growth. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, the company’s strategic focus on technology-driven exploration, offshore asset optimization and large-scale energy investments is expected to play a critical role in supporting India’s future energy requirements while strengthening ONGC’s position in the global energy sector.