Balrampur Chini Mills Ltd expects its new bio-based Polylactic Acid (PLA) business to generate annual revenues of around ₹2,000 crore once the facility reaches full operational capacity. The company is set to commission India’s first industrial-scale PLA manufacturing unit in Uttar Pradesh later this year, marking a major milestone in the country’s bio-based chemicals sector.

India’s First Industrial-Scale PLA Facility

The upcoming PLA manufacturing facility, located in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh, will have an installed production capacity of 80,000 tonnes per annum (TPA). According to the company, the plant is scheduled for commissioning in October. Following commissioning, Balrampur Chini Mills plans a rapid ramp-up in production, with the facility expected to reach full capacity utilisation within six months. This accelerated scale-up reflects strong demand potential for sustainable and biodegradable polymer solutions.

Strong Revenue and Profitability Outlook

Highlighting the project’s financial potential, Avantika Saraogi, Executive Director of Balrampur Chini Mills, stated that the PLA vertical could become a significant revenue contributor for the company.

“We envisage a peak revenue potential of ₹2,000 crore, with guidance indicating an EBITDA margin of around 35 percent,” she said. The strong margin outlook reflects the growing global demand for bio-based polymers and sustainable materials, particularly in packaging and consumer applications.

Strategic Diversification into Bio-Based Chemicals

Importantly, the PLA project represents a strategic diversification for Balrampur Chini Mills beyond its traditional sugar and ethanol businesses. By entering the bio-based and high-value chemical segment, the company aims to strengthen its long-term growth strategy. Moreover, the initiative aligns with global trends toward circular economy solutions and environmentally friendly materials. With the commissioning of the PLA plant, Balrampur Chini Mills is positioning itself as a key player in India’s emerging bioplastics and green chemicals industry.

Supporting Sustainable Industrial Growth

As reported by projxnews.com, the PLA project forms a key part of the company’s sustainability-focused growth roadmap. By producing biodegradable polymers from renewable resources, the facility is expected to contribute to reducing dependence on fossil-based plastics while opening new high-value revenue streams for the company.

Global technology player ABB is accelerating its expansion in India with fresh investments aimed at strengthening local manufacturing and advancing technology development. The move comes as demand continues to rise across key sectors such as infrastructure, energy transition, and industrial automation. The company plans to invest approximately $75 million in 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and establish new research and testing facilities across the country. The investment follows ABB’s $35 million investment in 2025 and reinforces its long-term commitment to India’s growing industrial ecosystem.

Supporting the ‘Local-for-Local’ Strategy

ABB’s latest investment aligns with its “local-for-local” strategy, which focuses on manufacturing products within the country to meet domestic demand efficiently. As a result, the company already produces around 85 percent of the products and solutions it sells in India locally. By expanding domestic production capabilities, ABB aims to improve supply chain resilience, reduce delivery timelines, and support India’s push toward advanced manufacturing and energy-efficient technologies.

Major Investments Across Key Indian Locations

The planned investments will be distributed across several strategic locations, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nashik, and Vadodara. Each facility will receive targeted upgrades to expand production capacity, strengthen innovation capabilities, and support advanced engineering research.

Bengaluru to Become a Key Manufacturing Hub

In Bengaluru, ABB is making significant investments across two major facilities. At its Nelamangala campus, the company is investing $14 million to expand production capabilities and introduce new electrical protection and enclosure technologies. The expansion will also help scale up converter manufacturing, enabling ABB to meet growing demand from industrial and power applications.

Meanwhile, at the Peenya facility, ABB will invest $21 million to enhance manufacturing capacity for low-voltage drives and specialised motors. In addition, the facility will strengthen digital services, innovation labs, and training infrastructure, further supporting technology development and workforce skills.

Expanding Advanced Research Capabilities in Hyderabad

ABB is also strengthening its research and development ecosystem through a multi-phase expansion project in Hyderabad. The first phase, with an investment of $12 million, includes relocating operations to a 12,400-plus square metre office and laboratory space scheduled for completion in February 2026. This new facility will support ABB’s engineering and innovation teams working on advanced power and automation technologies.

In the second phase, the company plans to establish a high-power laboratory on ABB-owned land spanning 16,630 square metres. This facility will significantly enhance ABB’s testing and research capabilities, enabling the development of next-generation electrical technologies.

Driving India’s Industrial and Energy Transition

As reported by freepressjournal.in, ABB’s investment program underscores its commitment to supporting India’s rapidly evolving industrial and energy landscape. By expanding local manufacturing, enhancing research capabilities, and introducing advanced technologies, the company aims to play a key role in enabling sustainable infrastructure, electrification, and industrial automation across the country.

Distil and Rubamin Private Ltd have entered into a strategic commercial agreement under which Distil will serve as the exclusive co-development, marketing, and distribution partner for Rubamin’s Zinc Oxide products in the United States and Canada. Through the collaboration, the two companies aim to strengthen the supply of high-purity zinc derivatives for sun care, cosmetics, and over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical applications. The partnership combines Rubamin’s manufacturing expertise with Distil’s advanced application R&D capabilities and established distribution network across North America.

Combining Manufacturing Strength with R&D Capabilities

The partnership leverages Rubamin’s decades of experience in hydrometallurgy and zinc processing, while Distil contributes its application development and market access capabilities. Together, the companies will focus on delivering zinc oxide products that meet stringent U.S. FDA and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. By integrating manufacturing and market development expertise, the alliance is expected to create a reliable and efficient supply chain for specialised zinc derivatives in the North American personal care and pharmaceutical sectors.

Expanding Reach in the North American Personal Care Market

Atul Dalmia, Chairman of Rubamin Private Ltd, highlighted, “At Rubamin, we have always been driven by the Power of Zero, harnessing innovation to create value with minimal environmental impact. This partnership with Distil allows us to extend our reach into the sophisticated North American personal care market. By leveraging our decades of expertise in hydrometallurgy, we can provide sustainably sourced, high-purity zinc derivatives to a global audience”.

Strengthening Access to Speciality Chemical Ingredients

For Distil, the agreement represents an important step in expanding its portfolio of specialised ingredients for global brands. Atanu Agarrwal, Co-founder and CEO of Distil, mentioned, “Our mission is to redefine speciality chemical manufacturing by providing a transparent, high-performance platform for global brands. This partnership with Rubamin is a major milestone in broadening our offerings in niche and safe compounds for human consumption”. He further added that by connecting Indian manufacturing expertise with North American demand, the partnership will enable brands to access sustainable, high-quality ingredients backed by strong intellectual property protection and operational transparency.

Building a Robust and Sustainable Supply Chain

The agreement will also streamline supply management for customers across North America. According to Ankur Shah, Vice President – Commercial at Rubamin Private Ltd, all customer requests from the region will be routed through Distil to ensure efficient service. “This exclusive agreement demonstrates our commitment to delivering products manufactured through processes aligned with internationally recognised certifications and stringent quality protocols. By routing all North American requests through Distil, we ensure specialised technical support and seamless logistical coordination,” he said. Shah added that the collaboration will help build a robust circular supply chain capable of meeting the rising demand for sustainable materials while maintaining strict regulatory compliance.

Meeting Growing Demand for High-Performance Zinc Oxide

The partnership is particularly significant for the personal care industry, where zinc oxide plays a critical role in sun protection products. Kiro Rizk, Head of Personal Care at Distil, noted that innovation in particle engineering is becoming increasingly important for product performance. “Zinc Oxide is a cornerstone of modern sun care, and the demand for specialised particle engineering—particularly for improved transparency and SPF efficacy—has never been higher,” he said.

He added that Rubamin’s capability to produce high-purity zinc oxide with low impurity profiles will enable Distil to supply ingredients that meet the stringent aesthetic, stability, and performance requirements of leading global personal care brands.

Strengthening Global Supply of Sustainable Zinc Derivatives

As reported by manufacturingtodayindia.com, the partnership between Distil and Rubamin marks an important step toward expanding the global availability of high-quality zinc derivatives. By combining sustainable manufacturing practices with strong market access in North America, the companies aim to support growing demand from the personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical sectors.

Coromandel International Limited commenced trial production at its newly established phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid plants at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The commissioning of these facilities marks a significant milestone in the company’s expansion strategy and strengthens its manufacturing capabilities in the fertiliser value chain.

The new plants are designed with dedicated production capacities to support the company’s long-term growth plans. With the facilities now operational, Coromandel has taken an important step toward enhancing domestic production and improving supply reliability.

Commissioning Aligned with Planned Timeline

The company successfully achieved the commissioning milestone in line with its earlier guidance for the fourth quarter of FY 2025–26. At present, operations at the plants are in the trial production phase, during which the systems and processes are being stabilised. Coromandel is following a phased ramp-up strategy to gradually reach full rated capacity. This approach allows the company to optimise operational performance while ensuring strict adherence to safety, efficiency, and product quality standards.

Strategic Expansion Announced in 2024

The Kakinada project was first announced through a corporate intimation on January 30, 2024, highlighting the company’s commitment to expanding its manufacturing footprint. Since then, Coromandel has steadily progressed with project execution to bring the facilities online within the projected timeline. The completion of the project demonstrates the company’s ability to execute large-scale industrial investments while maintaining its focus on operational excellence.

Strengthening an Integrated Manufacturing Hub

With the commissioning of the phosphoric acid and sulphuric acid plants, Coromandel’s Kakinada facility has evolved into a fully integrated manufacturing complex. This integration significantly enhances the company’s production capabilities and supports its fertiliser manufacturing operations. Moreover, vertical integration enables the company to streamline production processes and improve overall operational efficiency. It also helps Coromandel respond more effectively to changing market demand.

Reducing Import Dependence and Improving Supply Security

The facilities will reduce the company’s reliance on imported raw materials. By strengthening domestic production, Coromandel can gain better control over raw material costs and supply chain stability. The strategic move is particularly valuable for the fertiliser industry, where consistent access to key inputs is critical for maintaining production continuity and meeting agricultural demand. As reported by scanX, the commissioning of the Kakinada plants represents a major step in Coromandel International’s growth strategy, positioning the company to enhance operational resilience, support India’s fertiliser sector, and deliver long-term value to its stakeholders.

Neuland Laboratories is set to open a new commercial peptide manufacturing facility in the summer of 2026 at its 17-acre Bonthapally campus. The facility represents the first phase of a planned four-module expansion, designed to scale operations in line with growing client demand for complex peptides and GLP-1 programs.

The first module is expected to become operational by this summer, enhancing Neuland’s existing clinical-stage S-Block facilities with commercial-scale capabilities. Module One has already secured firm commitments totaling approximately USD 30 million, highlighting strong market confidence.

Advanced Capacity for SPPS and LPPS Production

Module One will deliver 6,370 liters of reactor capacity for both solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS). The setup will accommodate LPPS reactors ranging from 250 L to 3,000 L and SPPS reactors up to 500 L, enabling clients to scale seamlessly from small-scale development to multi-ton commercial production. Construction began last year, emphasizing flexibility for long-chain and complex peptide programs while supporting a diverse client portfolio.

Meeting Growing Global Demand for GLP-1 and Novel Peptides

With GLP-1 manufacturing consuming an increasing share of global peptide capacity, Neuland targets both innovator and emerging biotech companies seeking reliable clinical and commercial manufacturing. Saharsh Davuluri, Vice Chairman and MD at Neuland Labs, stated, “The site is designed for ongoing expansion, with space for additional SPPS synthesizers of 2kL and multiple 5kL LPPS reactors as future modules come online. This approach allows us to scale responsibly in line with customer needs.”

Workforce Expansion and Integrated R&D Support

Neuland plans double-digit growth in R&D headcount this year, while its manufacturing team will more than double to support facility ramp-up. These efforts complement 1,174,000 L of existing API manufacturing capacity across three US FDA–approved facilities. An integrated R&D Centre, located near the new plant, ensures rapid technology transfer, efficient scale-up, and streamlined development-to-commercial execution, supporting Neuland’s reputation as a trusted CDMO for complex APIs.

Strategic Entry into Commercial Peptide Manufacturing

The new facility marks Neuland’s strategic entry into commercial-scale peptide production, targeting both novel peptide development and high-demand GLP-1 programs. Davuluri emphasized, “Our goal is to support innovator and emerging biotech companies across all areas of peptide development. Commercial peptide production will be a key growth driver for Neuland over the coming years, and we are scaling rapidly to align rollout of all modules with customer demand.”

Enhanced Digital Systems and Downstream Capabilities

The facility features advanced digital operations, including DCS-based automation with eBMR integration, and scalable peptide technologies across synthesis, purification, and drying.

Expanded downstream infrastructure includes:

*Multi-column prep-HPLC systems

*Lyophilizers and dryers sized for commercial campaigns

*Enhanced solvent-handling and tank-farm infrastructure

*Dedicated warehouses and upgraded waste-management systems

These systems ensure data-rich process development, reduced batch variability, and improved cycle times, while strengthening supply-chain resilience for complex peptides through LPPS capabilities and secure supply of building blocks, fragments, and hybrid constructs.

Strong Regulatory Track Record and Market Momentum

As per the press release, Neuland’s growth comes after several successful NDA filings on behalf of customers, with additional submissions expected over the next two years. The new facility reinforces Neuland’s regulatory compliance, manufacturing excellence, and commercial readiness for peptide clients globally.

DuPont Water Solutions expanded its Water Application Value Engine (WAVE PRO), an advanced data-driven water treatment modeling tool, by adding reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) capabilities. With this update, the cloud-based platform now integrates ultrafiltration (UF), ion exchange (IX), reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration into a single comprehensive system for water treatment design. The enhanced tool supports applications across drinking water treatment, industrial utility water, wastewater treatment, and seawater desalination.

A Next-Generation Digital Platform for Water Treatment Design

WAVE PRO represents the next generation of the Water Application Value Engine (WAVE) software platform. It guides engineers and water professionals through the system design process using a powerful calculation engine capable of modeling complex water treatment operations with high accuracy. As a data-driven modeling platform, WAVE PRO leverages real operational performance data to simulate treatment processes. Through an intuitive digital interface, users can modify system parameters to evaluate different feedwater conditions and operational scenarios. Consequently, the platform helps determine optimal system configurations while integrating project-specific economic factors such as operating expenses, energy use, and water balance calculations.

Improving Efficiency and Sustainability in Water Treatment

According to Gary Gu, Global Technology Leader at DuPont Water Solutions, “We are excited to offer our municipal and industrial customers WAVE PRO, the cloud-based latest generation of water treatment design tools. By integrating ultrafiltration, ion exchange, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration in one platform, WAVE PRO enables more accurate, data-driven system design that optimizes membrane and energy use, extends asset lifetimes, and reduces the environmental footprint of water treatment.” By bringing these core water treatment technologies together, WAVE PRO allows organizations to design more efficient and sustainable water treatment systems while meeting operational and financial goals.

Integrating Industry-Leading Filtration Technologies

WAVE PRO incorporates a wide range of technologies from DuPont Water Solutions, including:

*DuPont IntegraTec and Inge ultrafiltration modules

*DuPont AmberLite

*FilmTec RO and nanofiltration elements

With the addition of RO and NF functionality, users now gain access to the FilmTec portfolio, including brackish water reverse osmosis membranes, seawater RO membranes, nanofiltration elements, and FilmTec Fortilife elements. As a result, engineers can design more reliable and optimized water treatment systems using industry-leading membrane and separation technologies.

Widely Adopted Tool in the Water Treatment Industry

Originally launched more than a decade ago, the WAVE software platform made advanced proprietary modeling tools—developed over 30 years of water treatment research—accessible to a broader audience. Since its introduction, the platform has gained strong adoption across the industry. WAVE has been referenced in more than 100 technical journals and downloaded over 16,000 times in the past three years. Today, more than 4,000 water treatment professionals worldwide actively use WAVE PRO to support system design and optimization.

Cloud-Based Access and Seamless Collaboration

Existing users of WAVE can easily transition to WAVE PRO thanks to full backward compatibility. As a web-based platform, WAVE PRO can be accessed securely from any computer or tablet using a single sign-in, and it is compatible with both Microsoft Windows and iOS devices.

Furthermore, the platform enables secure collaboration and data sharing across engineering teams while automatically updating with the latest software enhancements. WAVE PRO is free to use and is available through the WaterApp, which provides several digital tools for water professionals. These tools help optimize membrane performance, operational costs, carbon footprint, and ion exchange resin replacement planning.

Supporting Global Water Sustainability

Today, DuPont Water Solutions technologies help purify more than 50 million gallons of water every minute across 112 countries. The company offers an extensive portfolio of membranes, resins, and integrated water treatment systems designed for municipalities, industrial facilities, seawater desalination plants, and high-tech industries such as microelectronics manufacturing.

As per the press release, through continuous innovation, the company is also developing technologies that support emerging sectors such as lithium production, electricity generation, and green hydrogen, helping address the world’s growing water and energy challenges.

BASF introduced new product variants with a reduced product carbon footprint (rPCF) for key intermediates including 1,4-Butanediol (BDO), Tetrahydrofuran (THF), PolyTHF and N‑Methyl‑2‑pyrrolidone (NMP). These products are manufactured at BASF’s integrated BASF Ludwigshafen Verbund Site, one of the world’s largest chemical production complexes. The new variants will be supplied globally and form part of BASF’s expanding rPCF product portfolio, which aims to support customers transitioning toward lower-carbon materials and more sustainable supply chains.

Lower Carbon Footprint Through Optimized Feedstocks and Utilities

BASF achieves the reduced product carbon footprint by utilizing low-emission feedstocks and utilities at its Ludwigshafen site. As a result, the newly introduced rPCF variants deliver at least a 10% lower carbon footprint compared with the corresponding standard products produced at the same facility. The initiative reflects BASF’s broader strategy to decarbonize chemical manufacturing while maintaining product performance and cost competitiveness.

Helping Customers Reduce Scope 3 Emissions

By adding rPCF versions of BDO, THF, PolyTHF and NMP to its portfolio, BASF enables customers to lower their Scope 3 CO₂ emissions without changing their formulations or production processes. Industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, electronics, textiles and consumer goods can therefore adopt lower-carbon raw materials while maintaining existing product performance.

Verena Siegel, Vice President Global Business Management for Butanediol and Derivatives at BASF’s Intermediates division commented, “Across industries, we see growing interest in cost-competitive products with a reduced carbon footprint that help customers meet market demands and achieve their sustainability targets. With our new rPCF variants, customers can achieve measurable product carbon footprint reductions of at least 10% without adding complexity to their operations.”

Essential Chemicals Across Multiple Value Chains

The intermediates introduced under the rPCF category play critical roles across numerous industrial value chains.

BDO and Its Derivatives: 1,4-Butanediol is an important building block used to produce PolyTHF and manufacture Tetrahydrofuran and Gamma‑Butyrolactone, which are widely used in pharmaceutical applications. It also serves as a precursor for N‑Methyl‑2‑pyrrolidone and Polybutylene terephthalate, a commonly used engineering plastic. BASF is one of the world’s leading producers of BDO and its derivatives, operating two production plants with a combined annual capacity of 350,000 metric tons.

PolyTHF for Textiles and Industrial Materials: PolyTHF is primarily used to produce elastic fibers such as spandex and elastane, which are widely used in sportswear, swimwear, underwear and stretch fabrics. Additionally, PolyTHF acts as a key building block for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), which are used in abrasion-resistant hoses, films and cable sheathing, particularly in automotive applications. Other applications include polyetheresters, polyetheramides and cast elastomers, such as wheels for skateboards and inline skates. BASF operates three PolyTHF production plants across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, with a total annual capacity of 250,000 metric tons, making it one of the leading global suppliers of the product.

NMP: A Versatile Industrial Solvent: N‑Methyl‑2‑pyrrolidone is a highly polar aprotic solvent used in numerous industries. Its applications include pharmaceutical manufacturing, specialized filtration membranes and lithium-ion battery processing. In addition, NMP plays an important role in coatings, inks and resin formulations, as well as agricultural products and certain oil and gas extraction processes.

Driving Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing

As per the press release, with the launch of these rPCF variants, BASF continues to expand its portfolio of lower-carbon intermediates while helping customers achieve measurable sustainability improvements across global value chains. At the same time, the initiative demonstrates how integrated production at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site can support more efficient and environmentally responsible chemical manufacturing.

Lonza, one of the world’s leading contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), and Genetix Biotherapeutics Inc. (Genetix), a commercial-stage biotech specializing in genetic therapies for rare diseases, announced the extension of their long-term commercial manufacturing agreement. Under the renewed agreement, Lonza will expand its manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for ZYNTEGLO™, the only FDA-approved gene therapy for pediatric and adult patients with transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia.

Strengthening a Strategic Collaboration

The extension builds on a partnership that began in 2013, which paved the way for ZYNTEGLO™’s FDA approval in 2022. Commercial manufacturing will continue at Lonza’s Houston facility, a dedicated cell and gene therapy site with nearly a decade of experience supporting both clinical and commercial production. The collaboration also includes plans to scale manufacturing capacity for future Genetix therapies, reinforcing the long-term strategic alignment between the two organizations.

Expanding Commercial Production Capabilities

Daniel Palmacci, Head of Specialized Modalities at Lonza, commented, “Our extended agreement with Genetix underscores the value of our expertise in commercial cell and gene therapy manufacturing. We are proud to continue our collaboration by expanding ZYNTEGLO™ production at our state-of-the-art Houston facility.” The expansion ensures that Lonza can reliably meet growing patient demand while maintaining high-quality standards in gene therapy manufacturing.

Meeting Growing Patient Demand

Brian Riley, President and Chief Technology Officer at Genetix, added, “Our long-standing partnership with Lonza reflects our shared commitment to commercial excellence and operational discipline. Their scientific rigor and quality focus have been essential in delivering a reliable supply of ZYNTEGLO™. With patient demand growing rapidly, extending the agreement and expanding capacity provides a solid foundation to meet current and future needs.” As per the press release, the renewed collaboration positions Genetix to scale production efficiently and support long-term manufacturing strategies for innovative gene therapies targeting rare diseases.

In a significant step toward strengthening its clean energy ambitions, the Government of India has introduced new standards for the production of green ammonia and green methanol. The measures are part of the country’s broader strategy under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a global hub for green hydrogen and its downstream derivatives. By establishing clear emission benchmarks, the government seeks to ensure that fuels labelled as “green” genuinely contribute to decarbonisation while supporting the country’s expanding clean energy ecosystem.

Clear Emission Thresholds for ‘Green’ Classification

Under the newly announced framework, producers must meet strict greenhouse gas emission limits to qualify their products as green. Specifically, the standards cap lifecycle emissions at 0.38 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kg of ammonia and 0.44 kg of CO₂ equivalent per kg of methanol.

These thresholds will serve as the official benchmark for verifying and certifying green ammonia and methanol produced in India. As a result, manufacturers will need to adopt low-carbon production pathways—primarily using renewable energy–based hydrogen—to comply with the new norms.

Supporting Decarbonisation Across Key Industries

Officials believe the standards will accelerate decarbonisation across several hard-to-abate sectors. For instance, industries such as fertilisers, maritime shipping, and heavy manufacturing are expected to benefit from reliable supplies of certified green fuels.

Moreover, the policy is designed to strengthen India’s credibility in the emerging global market for sustainable fuels. By aligning production with measurable environmental standards, the country aims to enhance its reputation as a dependable producer and exporter of green ammonia and green methanol.

Strengthening India’s Green Fuel Leadership

Importantly, the move also lays the groundwork for scaling up green hydrogen–based value chains in the coming years. As investments in renewable energy and hydrogen infrastructure grow, these standards will help guide industrial adoption and promote transparency in green fuel markets. As reported by devdiscourse.com, the initiative reinforces India’s commitment to energy transition while supporting its long-term ambition of becoming a major global supplier of low-carbon fuels.