Yamna, through its wholly owned subsidiary YamnaCo India Private Limited, received approval from the Andhra Pradesh government for the first phase of its proposed green ammonia project in India. The approval marks a significant milestone in the company’s strategy to expand its global clean energy and green hydrogen derivatives portfolio. The large-scale project will be developed in Andhra Pradesh and is expected to support India’s growing ambitions in green hydrogen, renewable fuels, and export-oriented clean energy infrastructure.

Project planned in two phases with 1 MTPA capacity target

The proposed green ammonia facility is planned in two development phases with a total targeted production capacity of one million tons per annum (1 MTPA). As part of the initial approval, the Andhra Pradesh state cabinet has cleared Phase one of the project, which will include 0.5 MTPA of green ammonia production capacity. The first phase involves an estimated capital investment of approximately $1 billion. The project represents one of the significant green ammonia investments being developed in India as the country accelerates efforts to become a global hub for green hydrogen and sustainable fuel exports.

Strategic location near Krishnapatnam Port supports exports

To support the project’s development, the Andhra Pradesh government has approved the allocation of land in Chillakur and Kota Mondal in Tirupati District, strategically located near Krishnapatnam Port. The proximity to the port is expected to strengthen export capabilities and improve logistics for international shipment of green ammonia and other clean energy derivatives. The location also aligns with India’s broader strategy of building integrated renewable energy and export infrastructure along key coastal industrial corridors.

Project to benefit from Andhra Pradesh clean energy incentives

The green ammonia project will qualify for several incentives under Andhra Pradesh’s Integrated Clean Energy (ICE) Policy. These incentives include capital subsidies, tax benefits, and support for grid connectivity infrastructure. The policy framework is designed to attract investments in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and low-carbon industrial projects while supporting the state’s vision of becoming a leading clean energy hub in India. The approval further reinforces Andhra Pradesh’s positioning as a major destination for green hydrogen and sustainable fuels investments.

Yamna strengthens global green energy portfolio

According to Abdelaziz Yatribi, CEO, Yamna, the project represents a key step in building Yamna’s globally diversified clean energy portfolio. “The approval of the Andhra Pradesh green ammonia project represents an important step for Yamna to build a globally diversified portfolio of clean energy assets,” said Yatribi. He further added that the company looks forward to advancing the project into the next stage of development and implementation.

Project enters detailed development phase

Following the government approval, the project will now move into the detailed development and implementation stage. This phase is expected to include engineering studies, infrastructure planning, permitting activities, and project execution planning. The Andhra Pradesh green ammonia facility also strengthens Yamna’s broader pipeline of green molecules and hydrogen derivative projects across international markets.

Green ammonia gains momentum in global energy transition

Green ammonia is increasingly emerging as a critical component of the global energy transition due to its potential applications in clean shipping fuels, power generation, fertilizers, and hydrogen transportation. As countries and industries work toward decarbonisation goals, large-scale green ammonia projects are attracting significant global investments. India, in particular, is rapidly expanding its green hydrogen ecosystem through supportive policies, renewable energy integration, and export-focused infrastructure development. As per the press release, with this latest approval, Yamna joins the growing list of companies investing in India’s emerging green hydrogen and ammonia economy while contributing to the development of low-carbon industrial infrastructure.

Apollo Tyres unveiled a major capital investment programme worth nearly ₹3,500 crore aimed at expanding its manufacturing footprint across India and Europe. The strategic investment comes as the company navigates rising raw material costs, commodity price volatility, and restructuring activities within its European operations. The expansion plan highlights Apollo Tyres’ long-term growth strategy focused on increasing production capacity, improving operational efficiency, and maintaining strong capacity utilisation levels of nearly 90%.

Major investment focused on India manufacturing expansion

As part of the planned investment cycle, Apollo Tyres will allocate approximately ₹3,000 crore toward strengthening its India operations. The remaining investment will support capacity enhancements and operational upgrades across its European facilities. The company aims to reinforce its manufacturing capabilities in key growth markets while supporting rising demand across domestic and international tyre segments. The investment is also expected to improve production efficiency and strengthen supply chain resilience.

Strong financial performance supports expansion strategy

Apollo Tyres’ latest financial performance has provided a strong foundation for the company’s upcoming expansion initiatives. During the January–March quarter, the company reported revenues of around ₹7,340 crore, reflecting growth. EBITDA increased by nearly 28% to ₹1,070 crore, while EBITDA margins expanded to 14.6%. The improved profitability was driven by stronger operational efficiency, better pricing realisation, and stable market demand. For the full financial year FY26, Apollo Tyres recorded revenues of approximately ₹28,470 crore, representing a year-on-year growth of around 9%. Annual EBITDA rose to ₹4,140 crore, continuing the company’s double-digit earnings growth trajectory.

Debt reduction strengthens financial flexibility

Alongside revenue and profitability growth, Apollo Tyres also improved its balance sheet position by reducing net debt by nearly ₹900 crore. Net debt now stands at approximately ₹1,600 crore. The reduction in debt has strengthened the company’s financial flexibility and enhanced its ability to fund expansion projects while maintaining stable cash flows. A stronger balance sheet also provides additional resilience against ongoing market volatility and rising input costs.

European restructuring aimed at improving long-term profitability

As part of its global operational optimisation strategy, Apollo Tyres has initiated restructuring measures across its European business. A key step in this process involves the closure of the company’s Enschede manufacturing facility in the Netherlands. The restructuring resulted in a
one-time non-cash write-off of approximately €43 million, along with a cash payout of around €50 million. Despite the short-term financial impact, the company expects the restructuring to improve long-term profitability and operational efficiency in Europe. Management indicated that EBITDA margins in the region could stabilise above 16% once restructuring activities are fully completed and operations normalise.

Rising raw material costs continue to pressure margins

The global tyre industry continues to face significant pressure from increasing raw material costs, particularly natural rubber prices. Over recent months, natural rubber prices have risen sharply from around ₹200 per kilogram to nearly ₹250 per kilogram. This increase has added considerable pressure on manufacturing costs and overall profit margins across the sector. To partially offset rising input costs, Apollo Tyres has implemented price increases across major markets. The company raised tyre prices by approximately 6–8% in India and around 2% in Europe. However, continued volatility in global commodity markets could lead to further pricing adjustments in the future.

Geopolitical uncertainties add to market volatility

Global geopolitical tensions, particularly in West Asia, continue to impact crude oil prices, freight rates, and overall supply chain costs. These uncertainties have contributed to fluctuating input costs for tyre manufacturers worldwide. Despite these external challenges, Apollo Tyres remains focused on maintaining stable operations, improving manufacturing efficiency, and supporting demand growth across both domestic and international markets.

Long-term growth strategy remains on track

Through its ₹3,500 crore investment programme, Apollo Tyres is positioning itself for long-term growth while strengthening its manufacturing capabilities in key global markets. The company’s focus on operational efficiency, financial discipline, and strategic restructuring is expected to support sustainable profitability despite ongoing cost pressures and market uncertainties. As reported by elitewealth.in, with expanding production capacity and improving financial performance, Apollo Tyres continues to reinforce its position in the global tyre industry while preparing for future demand growth across automotive and mobility sectors.

The CO2-based Fuels and Chemicals Conference 2026, held on 28–29 April 2026, brought together nearly 170 industry experts, technology developers, and sustainability leaders to discuss the latest advancements in Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) and Power-to-X technologies. A major highlight of the conference was the presentation of the prestigious “Best CO2 Utilisation 2026” innovation award, which recognized breakthrough technologies transforming captured carbon dioxide into valuable fuels and chemicals.

The award was jointly organised by nova-Institut and CO2 Value Europe, with sponsorship from Yncoris. The initiative honours innovative solutions that accelerate industrial decarbonisation by converting CO2 into fuels, chemical intermediates, and sustainable materials.

Audience selects three breakthrough CCU technologies

This year, six innovative technologies competed for the award, with winners selected through a live audience vote during the conference. The winning companies — RAPCO2 (Italy), Aerleum (France), and OCOchem (USA) — showcased complementary approaches to industrial CO2 utilisation. Their technologies span direct air capture, e-methanol production, and electrochemical conversion processes capable of generating carbon-negative chemical intermediates such as formate and ethylene.

RAPCO2 wins first place with Direct Air Capture and eFuel technology

Italian company RAPCO2 secured first place with its innovative indoor Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems, BlueLeaf and eJungle. BlueLeaf is designed for smaller commercial spaces such as shops and offices, with each unit capable of capturing CO2 equivalent to approximately one hectare of forest. Meanwhile, eJungle combines the capacity of 80 BlueLeaf systems to deliver larger-scale carbon capture while simultaneously converting captured CO2 into sodium acetate.

The company uses a patented bioreactor process to convert captured carbon into acetate while regenerating the DAC material with low energy consumption. The acetate is then processed into isopropyl alcohol (IPA) through ketonisation and hydrogenation steps. According to RAPCO2, IPA offers several advantages as an eFuel, including higher calorific value, non-toxic characteristics, and broader industrial application potential compared to fuels such as methanol.

Aerleum takes second place for scalable e-methanol production

French company Aerleum earned second place for its Direct Carbon Utilisation technology, which converts atmospheric and industrial CO2 into sustainable fuels and chemicals. The company’s integrated and patented platform focuses on scalable industrial deployment while producing carbon-neutral products at competitive costs. Its first commercial application centers on e-methanol production.

e-Methanol is emerging as a key low-carbon fuel for difficult-to-decarbonise sectors, particularly aviation and maritime shipping. It can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel or used directly as a cleaner marine fuel. In addition, e-methanol serves as an important sustainable feedstock for the chemical industry, supporting lower-carbon manufacturing of everyday consumer products. By targeting hard-to-abate industries, Aerleum aims to provide practical and scalable decarbonisation pathways for global industrial sectors.

OCOchem secures third place with advanced CO2 electrolysis system

US-based OCOchem received third place for its Carbon FluX Electrolyzer (CFX) 400 technology, which electrochemically converts captured CO2 and water into sustainable formic acid and potassium formate. The system uses four large industrial-scale CO2 electrolyzer cells equipped with the company’s proprietary Axial FluX Gas Diffusion Electrodes. Each electrode measures 15,000 cm², making them more than six times larger than previously reported industrial systems.

The modular system was deployed and commissioned within six weeks and currently produces approximately 60 tons per year. The technology operates at 85% Faradaic Efficiency and achieves high current density performance of 250 mA/cm². Additionally, the company has demonstrated electrode durability exceeding 1,200 operational hours. OCOchem began commercial shipments of carbon-negative formates to multiple customers in October 2025, marking an important milestone for industrial-scale electrochemical CO2 conversion.

Additional nominees highlight growing CCU innovation ecosystem

The remaining nominees further demonstrated the rapid advancement of carbon utilisation technologies worldwide. German company ICODOS showcased its e-methanol production technology, while Canadian firm CERT Systems presented an electrochemical process for ethylene production from CO2. Meanwhile, CYNiO from Germany highlighted its work on CO2-based isocyanates. Together, the nominated projects reflected the growing maturity and industrial scalability of CCU technologies across fuels, chemicals, and advanced materials.

Accelerating industrial decarbonisation through carbon utilisation

The conference also highlighted the broader role of CCU and Power-to-X technologies in supporting industrial defossilisation and circular carbon economies. nova-Institut continues to support renewable carbon cycle development and sustainable transformation within the chemicals and materials industry. At the same time, CO2 Value Europe connects stakeholders across the CCU value chain, while Yncoris contributes engineering, infrastructure, and operational expertise to accelerate industrial implementation. As per the press release, as CCU technologies continue to evolve, innovations such as Direct Air Capture, e-methanol synthesis, and electrochemical CO2 conversion are expected to play an increasingly important role in reducing industrial carbon emissions and enabling sustainable chemical manufacturing worldwide.

hubergroup Print Solutions introduced a major advancement in conventional offset printing inks with the launch of a new resin technology designed to meet evolving market and production requirements. Developed after extensive research and testing, the next-generation formulation significantly improves printing performance while maintaining consistently high print quality.

The upgraded technology will be incorporated into several of hubergroup’s established commercial and packaging ink series, including RESISTA, RAPIDA ECO, ECO-PERFECT-DRY, PACKAGING PLUS, MGA NATURA, and MGA CORONA.

New resin technology enhances offset printing performance

Resins play a critical role in offset ink formulations, directly influencing key properties such as viscosity, tack, adhesion, setting speed, and misting resistance. Recognizing the importance of resin performance, hubergroup focused its research and development efforts on engineering an advanced resin system capable of improving multiple printing parameters simultaneously. According to Richard Gill, Product Manager Sheetfed at hubergroup, the company’s in-house resin manufacturing capabilities provided a strategic advantage during development. “An improved resin means an improved ink,” said Gill. “Because hubergroup manufactures its own resins, we can precisely tailor formulations to achieve the exact performance characteristics required for modern offset printing applications,” Gill added.

Printing companies gain measurable production advantages

During extensive long-term production trials, the new resin technology delivered clear operational and quality improvements across a range of printing conditions, including high-speed press operations. Key benefits include – significant reduction in misting, wider water window for more stable press performance, lower dampening requirements, reduced make-ready sheets during press adjustments, stable print density and improved colour consistency and reliable post-print processing performance. These improvements help printing and packaging companies increase production efficiency, minimize waste, and achieve more consistent output quality.

Improved performance for commercial and packaging applications

The advanced resin formulation has been specifically developed to support both commercial and packaging printing applications. Even under demanding production conditions, the inks maintain excellent stability and print reliability. In particular, the reduction in misting on high-speed presses can help printers improve workplace cleanliness, reduce downtime, and enhance overall operational efficiency. At the same time, improved colour consistency supports higher-quality print reproduction across longer production runs.

Global rollout planned across offset ink portfolio

hubergroup plans to implement the resin technology across its global conventional offset ink portfolio during the first half of 2026. Importantly, existing product names and sales codes will remain unchanged, enabling customers to transition smoothly to the upgraded formulations without operational disruption. “With this innovation, we are staying ahead of market expectations and aligning ourselves with the future requirements of print and packaging companies,” Gill added. “We encourage customers to contact us to learn more about the performance benefits of the new technology.”

Strengthening innovation in the printing inks industry

The launch reinforces hubergroup’s focus on innovation, production efficiency, and sustainable print performance within the global printing inks sector. As per the press release, by combining advanced resin engineering with practical production benefits, the company aims to support printers facing increasing demands for quality, speed, and operational consistency in modern offset printing environments.

Covestro inaugurated its Thermoplastic Polyurethanes (TPU) Application Development (AD) Center in Guangzhou, China, strengthening its innovation and customer collaboration capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. The facility marks a major step in the company’s strategy to position innovation closer to rapidly evolving regional markets and customers.

The Guangzhou AD Center complements Covestro’s expanding TPU ecosystem in China, which also includes its Zhuhai production facility — expected to become the company’s largest TPU manufacturing site globally — and its established regional R&D center in Changhua. Together, these facilities create an integrated network that combines research, application development, and large-scale production.

Rising TPU demand drives regional expansion

The Asia-Pacific TPU market, particularly in South China, continues to witness strong growth fuelled by high-demand sectors such as consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, mobility solutions, and specialty films. By establishing the new development center in Guangzhou, Covestro aims to respond faster to customer requirements while delivering customized material solutions through closer technical collaboration.

“The Application Development Center represents a strategic cornerstone in our global TPU strategy to grow in high-value and emerging segments in Asia-Pacific,” said Dr. Andrea Maier-Richter, Global Head of TPU at Covestro. “Together with our customers, we will explore, pilot, and scale up innovative TPU applications in robotics, healthcare, and mobility solutions directly within one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.”

Advanced capabilities to accelerate product development

The Guangzhou facility has been specifically designed to help customers shorten product development timelines and improve manufacturing precision. The center features advanced processing simulation lines capable of replicating real production environments for extrusion and injection molding applications.

These capabilities allow engineers and customers to rapidly optimize formulations, conduct material modifications, and reduce trial cycles. As a result, manufacturers can significantly accelerate time-to-market while ensuring TPU solutions meet precise application requirements. According to Holly Lei, President of Covestro China, the center reflects the company’s long-term commitment to the region.

“Asia is home to some of the world’s most dynamic industries, and customers here expect agile and innovation-driven partners,” she said. “This center brings together our cross-business expertise under one roof in South China, enabling faster collaboration and stronger customer support,” Lei added.

Cross-business collaboration creates added customer value

One of the defining features of the Guangzhou AD Center is its integrated multi-business structure. Teams from Engineering Plastics (EP) and Specialty Films (SF) operate alongside TPU specialists at the same location, enabling seamless collaboration across technologies and applications.

The Engineering Plastics division contributes advanced compounding and color-matching expertise for applications including consumer electronics, footwear, and paint protection films (PPF). Meanwhile, the Specialty Films team supports pilot production and finished product commissioning for high-performance films and extrusion-based applications. By combining these capabilities, Covestro aims to deliver more comprehensive and efficient solutions for customers across diverse industries.

Focus on sustainable and recyclable TPU solutions

Sustainability remains a central focus of the company’s TPU innovation strategy. The Guangzhou center will support the development of versatile and recyclable TPU materials aligned with future sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives.

“Innovation at Covestro is driven by market needs and strengthened by collaboration across business entities,” said Dr. Christian Haessler, Head of Global Innovation TPU at Covestro. “The Guangzhou AD Center will play a key role in developing highly versatile and recyclable TPU material solutions within one of the world’s most dynamic innovation ecosystems,” Dr. Haessler added.

Strengthening customer support across Asia-Pacific

With the Guangzhou AD Center now operational, Covestro is expanding its end-to-end support capabilities for customers and partners throughout Asia-Pacific. The facility will provide comprehensive technical services ranging from initial material consultation and application development to pilot production, troubleshooting, and commercialization support. As per the press release, the investment further reinforces Covestro’s commitment to strengthening its presence in Asia while accelerating innovation in high-growth TPU applications and sustainable material technologies.

HAB Pharmaceuticals & Research Limited and Signature Phytochemical Industries successfully completed their merger, creating a combined pharmaceutical entity with a consolidated turnover of nearly ₹600 crore. The merger was undertaken to streamline operations, strengthen corporate governance and harmonise business systems across both organisations. The integration is also expected to enhance the group’s manufacturing, research and export capabilities.

Expanded Manufacturing and Product Capabilities

HAB Pharmaceuticals brings strong expertise in manufacturing antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cardiovascular medicines. Meanwhile, Signature Phytochemical Industries has established capabilities in manufacturing and exporting tablets, capsules and topical creams.

As a result of the merger, the combined entity will significantly expand its manufacturing infrastructure and product portfolio across multiple therapeutic segments. The integration is expected to improve operational efficiency while supporting faster product development and commercialisation.

Increased Focus on Specialty and High-Value Drugs

The merged company plans to strengthen its presence in specialty pharmaceuticals with a strategic focus on oncology treatments, autoimmune disorder therapies, chronic disease management and rare disease medications. In addition, the company aims to accelerate research and development activities to support innovation-driven growth and differentiated pharmaceutical offerings.

Global Market Expansion Strategy

Following the merger, the combined entity is now targeting expansion across international markets, particularly in Latin America, Central Asia and Southeast Asia. The company expects the strengthened manufacturing base and broader product portfolio to support its growing export ambitions and improve global market access.

New Manufacturing Facilities to Begin Operations in 2026

As part of its expansion strategy, HAB Pharmaceuticals is commissioning two advanced manufacturing facilities that are expected to begin commercial production by August 2026.

The upcoming facilities include:

*A sterile manufacturing plant focused on semaglutide, prefilled syringes, injectables, vials and lyophilised products

*A fully automated closed-loop Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) manufacturing facility

These new facilities are expected to significantly enhance the company’s production capabilities for high-value and next-generation pharmaceutical products.

Company Focuses on Innovation and Export Growth

Saurabh Agarwal, Director at HAB Pharma, said the company remains focused on innovation, niche pharmaceutical products and strengthening its export and R&D capabilities. He added that the company aims to differentiate itself in the pharmaceutical industry through a diversified product portfolio and a rapid go-to-market strategy.

Merger Strengthens Long-Term Growth Outlook

The merger marks an important milestone for both companies as they work towards building a stronger, innovation-driven pharmaceutical business with enhanced manufacturing scale, research capabilities and international market reach. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the combined entity is expected to strengthen its competitive position in the rapidly evolving global pharmaceutical sector while supporting long-term sustainable growth.

SAEL Industries Limited is planning a major expansion of its biomass power generation capacity, targeting one gigawatt (GW) over the next five years. The company will primarily focus on converting paddy stubble and agricultural waste into renewable energy as part of its long-term clean energy growth strategy. The planned expansion is expected to strengthen India’s renewable energy sector while also supporting large-scale crop residue management efforts.

Expanding Existing Paddy Straw-Based Operations

According to Laxit Awla, Chief Executive Officer, SAEL, the company aims to build on its existing biomass energy operations across northern India. Currently, SAEL operates 11 biomass power plants across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, with a combined installed capacity of 165 MW. All these facilities use paddy straw as feedstock for electricity generation. The company has emerged as India’s largest producer of electricity generated from paddy stubble, positioning itself as a key player in the country’s waste-to-energy sector.

Expansion Planned Across Multiple States

As part of its next growth phase, SAEL plans to expand its waste-to-energy footprint into additional states, including Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The company intends to establish projects in regions where paddy straw-based power generation is commercially and operationally feasible. In addition, the expansion strategy reflects SAEL’s broader objective of creating a nationwide biomass energy network that supports sustainable energy production and agricultural waste management.

Converting Agricultural Waste into Renewable Energy

SAEL’s biomass projects play a crucial role in addressing the growing challenge of crop residue burning, particularly in northern India. Instead of allowing paddy stubble to be burned in fields, the company collects and converts the agricultural waste into clean electricity. As a result, the projects not only generate renewable power but also help reduce air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and environmental damage associated with stubble burning.

Supporting India’s Clean Energy Transition

The company’s planned 1 GW expansion aligns with India’s broader renewable energy and sustainability goals. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, by increasing biomass-based power generation, SAEL aims to contribute to cleaner energy production while creating additional economic opportunities in rural and agricultural regions. Moreover, the initiative highlights the growing importance of biomass and waste-to-energy solutions in India’s evolving renewable energy landscape.

India’s apex research facilitation body, Anusandhan National Research Foundation has called on global industries and philanthropists to invest in research and development (R&D) projects through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding. This marks the first time a government-backed agency has formally invited private sector participation in supporting large-scale, high-impact research initiatives.

Push for Industry Collaboration in Advanced Research

Although private companies in India already contribute to research activities, ANRF noted that most investments remain fragmented and are largely focused on academic research. Traditionally, CSR spending has been concentrated on sectors such as education, healthcare and agriculture. However, ANRF is now encouraging industry leaders to co-fund high-value translational research projects that can accelerate innovation and convert scientific discoveries into commercially viable and socially impactful solutions.

Focus on Translational Research and Commercialisation

According to government officials, one of the major challenges facing India’s research ecosystem is the limited commercialisation of advanced research projects. While industries invest in research, many projects fail to progress beyond the development stage due to insufficient funding for scaling and deployment.

Consequently, ANRF is promoting collaborative funding models to support deep-tech and high-end research programmes that require substantial long-term investments. An official stated that ANRF currently provides grants ranging from ₹15 crore to ₹50 crore per project and is looking to partner with private companies to jointly finance these initiatives.

CSR Funding Could Strengthen India’s Innovation Ecosystem

Government officials highlighted that the top 100 listed Indian companies contribute more than 50% of the country’s total CSR spending. Therefore, even allocating a small portion of these funds towards R&D and innovation could significantly strengthen India’s scientific and industrial capabilities. Officials further indicated that industries have been invited to participate through multiple ANRF schemes, with the government planning to increase support and encourage broader corporate participation.

Opportunity for Industry to Drive Societal Impact

ANRF emphasised that the proposed collaborations are not limited to scientific advancement alone. Instead, the initiative aims to support research projects that can deliver measurable societal benefits while also strengthening India’s global innovation competitiveness. Increased private-sector participation in advanced research could help accelerate technology development across sectors such as clean energy, healthcare, biotechnology, advanced materials and industrial manufacturing.

Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in Research

As reported by thetimesofindia.indiatimes.com, the initiative reflects the government’s growing focus on building stronger public-private partnerships in India’s research and innovation ecosystem. By combining government support with corporate funding and industrial expertise, ANRF aims to create a more robust framework for breakthrough innovation and technology commercialisation in the country.

Advait Energy Transitions Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TECO Fuel Cell Technology AS to establish a framework for hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing in India. The agreement marks a major step towards strengthening India’s clean energy manufacturing ecosystem and localising advanced hydrogen fuel cell technologies. The MoU highlights the growing strategic collaboration between India and Nordic countries in sustainable energy and industrial decarbonisation.

Leadership Teams Formalise Strategic Collaboration

The agreement was formally signed by Shalin Sheth, Founder and Managing Director of Advait Energy Transitions, and Tore Enger, Executive Chairman of TECO Maritime Group and CEO of TECO Fuel Cell Technology AS. Through the collaboration, both companies aim to accelerate the development of India’s domestic hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing capabilities while supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner energy systems.

Focus on Advanced Hydrogen Fuel Cell Manufacturing

TECO Fuel Cell Technology and its co-development partner AVL List GmbH will introduce their jointly developed 400 kW hydrogen fuel cell module and 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell stack for manufacturing, adaptation and deployment in India. The fuel cell systems feature modular architecture, allowing them to scale into multi-megawatt configurations based on industrial application requirements. As a result, the technology can support a wide range of clean energy applications across multiple sectors.

Targeting Data Centres, Mobility and Maritime Applications

The collaboration will primarily focus on three major sectors – stationary power systems for data centres, heavy-duty transport and mobility solutions and maritime applications. Production for stationary power systems is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027. Meanwhile, manufacturing programmes for mobility and maritime applications are planned to expand progressively through 2028. In addition, the companies will work together on knowledge transfer, engineering support, testing, validation and long-term technical cooperation to strengthen India’s domestic hydrogen technology ecosystem.

Supporting India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission

The partnership aligns closely with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, both of which aim to strengthen domestic manufacturing and accelerate clean energy development. India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission targets annual green hydrogen production of five million metric tons by 2030. Consequently, the initiative is expected to create significant opportunities for local manufacturing across hydrogen production, storage and fuel cell technologies.

Strengthening India’s Position in the Global Clean Energy Sector

Shalin Sheth, Founder and Managing Director of Advait Energy Transitions stated that the collaboration demonstrates increasing confidence among Indian companies to participate in global technology partnerships while building advanced manufacturing capabilities within the country. He further noted that India’s strong engineering expertise, supportive policy environment and growing industrial infrastructure position the country to play a larger role in the global clean energy economy. As reported by manufacturingtodayindia.com, the agreement reflects the growing momentum of India–Nordic collaboration in sustainable energy systems, hydrogen technologies and industrial decarbonisation initiatives.

Caldic announced the appointment of Smita Shetty as Managing Director, India. The appointment reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its leadership team and accelerating growth across the Indian market. Smita brings nearly two decades of leadership experience in the specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution industry across the Asia-Pacific region. Since joining Connell in 2010, she has played a significant role in driving commercial growth, strengthening customer relationships and supporting strategic business expansion. Over the years, she has successfully led high-performing teams while contributing to major digital and business transformation initiatives across the organisation.

Key Role in Regional Marketing and Brand Growth

Smita headed Regional Marketing & Communications for APAC, where she played a critical role in enhancing Caldic’s brand positioning and regional engagement strategies. In addition, she helped align regional business priorities with the company’s broader global growth ambitions. Her leadership in marketing and strategic communications further strengthened the company’s visibility and customer engagement across multiple markets in the region.

Strong Track Record in Business Development

Before her regional leadership role, Smita served as Head of Core Products and Industry Manager – Food & Nutrition in India. During this period, she successfully expanded business operations, built strong partnerships with principals and customers, and drove impactful organisational transformation. Her ability to scale businesses and lead cross-functional teams has positioned her as a respected industry leader within the specialty chemicals and ingredients sector.

Positioned to Lead Caldic India’s Next Growth Phase

With deep industry expertise, strong regional insights and proven leadership capabilities, Smita is well positioned to lead Caldic’s India business into its next phase of growth. As per the press release, her appointment is expected to further strengthen the company’s market presence while supporting innovation, customer-centric strategies and long-term business expansion in India.