W. R. Grace & Co. (Grace), a Standard Industries company and a global leader in specialty chemicals and solutions, has entered into a strategic, multi-year collaboration with Molecule.one, a global pioneer in chemical artificial intelligence and high-throughput chemistry. Molecule.one is also the winner of the Standard Industries Chemical Innovation Challenge. Through this agreement, the two companies will discover and deploy new, scalable approaches for manufacturing chemical compounds.

Phase One Focus: Peptide Building Block Synthesis

In the first phase, Grace and Molecule.one will accelerate the synthesis of selected peptide building blocks using Molecule.one’s MARIA™ AI and high-throughput experimentation platform. Together, the partners aim to address a critical supply chain bottleneck affecting peptide components—key inputs for manufacturing advanced therapeutics, including the rapidly expanding class of GLP-1 drugs used to treat weight loss and diabetes.

As demand for metabolic-disease peptides continues to rise, the global market is projected to more than double by 2030, exceeding $100 billion. Consequently, the collaboration responds to an urgent industry need for faster, more efficient scaling and production of peptide materials.

Leveraging Complementary Expertise

By combining Grace’s deep expertise in fine chemicals with Molecule.one’s award-winning AI and automation capabilities, the partnership seeks to transform how pharmaceutical compounds move from development to large-scale manufacturing. Importantly, the collaboration will also strengthen Grace’s fine chemicals manufacturing capabilities across its U.S. sites.

Brenda Kelly, President, Materials Technologies at Grace, noted that the partnership will significantly accelerate the production of complex peptide building blocks. She emphasized that shorter development timelines will help pharmaceutical manufacturers bring innovative therapies to patients more quickly.

AI-Powered Discovery and Scalable Manufacturing

Following Grace’s successful validation of the MARIA™ platform, both companies identified strong strategic alignment. Working closely with Grace scientists, Molecule.one will deploy its AI-driven system to optimize existing processes and uncover entirely new, scalable synthesis routes—starting with complex peptide building blocks.

According to Piotr Byrski, Co-founder and CEO of Molecule.one, this collaboration marks the first deployment of an AI-driven discovery and synthesis platform designed to support large-scale chemical manufacturing, from early-stage scale-up through full commercial production.

Accelerating Development Through Automation

With MARIA™ conducting advanced AI analysis and autonomously executing thousands of miniaturized reactions, Grace can rapidly identify and prioritize efficient production pathways. Moreover, the integration of computational chemistry with high-throughput experimentation ensures faster development cycles and reliable, reproducible results. As a result, pharmaceutical customers gain a significant advantage over conventional peptide synthesis methods, which often prove complex, inefficient, and difficult to scale.

Recognition Through the Chemical Innovation Challenge

The collaboration builds on Molecule.one’s recognition as the winner of the Standard Industries Chemical Innovation Challenge, a global initiative designed to accelerate innovation in chemical retrosynthesis using AI. As per company press release, selected from more than 30 competing teams, Molecule.one received the $1 million award in recognition of its advanced MARIA™ platform and its potential to reshape chemical manufacturing.

Subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation have entered into a definitive agreement with Green E Origin SARL (GEO) to transfer lithium-ion battery electrolyte manufacturing assets in the United States and the United Kingdom. Specifically, the transaction covers facilities operated by Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. and Mitsubishi Chemical UK Ltd.

Strategic Rationale and Background

Mitsubishi Chemical’s lithium-ion battery electrolytes incorporate proprietary additive technologies that suppress electrode side reactions, enabling high power output. As a result, the electrolytes deliver exceptional durability and safety, leading to widespread adoption in automotive applications. In addition, the Group has licensed these technologies to multiple battery manufacturers.

Over the years, Mitsubishi Chemical has built a robust manufacturing footprint across Japan, China, the United States, and Europe to support its growing xEV customer base. However, to transition toward a more advanced business model in the European and American markets—and to better respond to mid- to long-term market growth—the Group has decided to transfer its U.S. and U.K. manufacturing bases to GEO. Going forward, Mitsubishi Chemical will focus on business development through strategic collaborations while strengthening its global manufacturing and sales network.

Business Scope of the Transfer

As per the press release, the transaction includes the lithium-ion battery electrolyte manufacturing businesses operated by the following subsidiaries:

Mitsubishi Chemical America, Inc. Location: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Mitsubishi Chemical UK Ltd. Location: Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom

Buyer Profile: Green E Origin SARL

Company Name: Green E Origin SARL

Head Office: Luxembourg

CEO: Tony Ma

Established: June 2023

Business Focus: Manufacturing and sales of lithium-ion battery materials, including electrolytes

Transaction Timeline: Subject to approvals from relevant regulatory authorities, the transfer of assets is scheduled for completion on March 31, 2026.

Continental’s group sector ContiTech has appointed Rohit Markan as Executive Vice President, Industrial Solutions, Asia Pacific (APAC), effective November 17, 2025. He reports directly to Philip Nelles, Executive Board member of ContiTech. Markan brings extensive leadership experience from various senior positions across the APAC region, most recently serving as CEO of Roquette Asia Pacific.

Strategic Leadership for APAC Operations

Rohit Markan is based at ContiTech’s Singapore office. He will oversee industrial operations across key markets, including India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. He will focus on optimizing organizational structures and processes across product groups and customer industries.

Markan is a member of ContiTech’s newly established Executive Management Committee. He will play a crucial role in shaping the group sector’s strategy as it transitions to an independent entity in 2026. He succeeds Hannes Friederichsen, who retired after many years of service.

The APAC business area covers ContiTech’s industrial operations in Asia and the Pacific. It produces rubber and plastic products, including hoses, conveyor belts, drive belts, and air springs, serving a wide range of industries.

Extensive Experience and Proven Track Record

Rohit Markan brings over 28 years of leadership experience across multiple industries, countries, and functions. He has demonstrated expertise in sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing, project leadership, innovation management, profit and loss management, and board leadership. Throughout his career, he has led transformation initiatives and consistently delivered revenue and profitability growth.

His previous roles include:

• Managing Director, Roquette India Private Limited
• Senior Vice President, Sales for Roquette Asia Pacific
• Global Marketing Manager, Solar Solutions at Dow Chemicals
• Global Head of Sales, Pharma Business at Roquette Asia Pacific

As per Press Release, Philip Nelles highlighted, “Rohit Markan brings a broad portfolio of experience and perspectives from different regions, multiple industries, and diverse functions… He is the right person to further develop our industrial business activities in this important region.”

Markan’s Vision for ContiTech

Expressing his excitement, Rohit Markan said, “I am delighted to become part of ContiTech, a company with such a long tradition and immense potential. I am eager to bring my expertise and leadership from past experiences in Asia Pacific to harness the company’s potential in one of the most important growth regions for Continental.”

About Continental and ContiTech

Continental, founded in 1871, is a leading tire manufacturer and industrial specialist. In 2024, it generated sales of €39.7 billion and employed around 95,000 people across 54 countries.

ContiTech is one of the world’s leading industry specialists. It provides connected, environmentally friendly, safe, and cross-material industrial solutions. These solutions serve agriculture, rail, road, aviation, industrial environments, and the food and furniture sectors. The group employs nearly 42,000 people in over 40 countries and recorded sales of €6.4 billion in 2024, with operations spanning Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Scientists have discovered that Earth’s crust contains vast reserves of natural hydrogen, a breakthrough that could supply clean energy for centuries. This finding reshapes global energy discussions and introduces a powerful alternative to fossil fuels.

A Discovery That Challenges Old Assumptions

For decades, scientists believed hydrogen could not accumulate in large quantities underground. However, this assumption changed dramatically after a 1987 incident in Mali. During routine work on a water well, a worker accidentally triggered an explosion caused by flammable hydrogen gas.

As a result, researchers identified what is now the world’s only known productive hydrogen well. This unexpected event forced scientists to rethink how hydrogen behaves beneath Earth’s surface and opened the door to further exploration.

Growing Evidence of “Gold” Hydrogen

Since then, researchers have gathered increasing evidence that hydrogen can naturally form and remain trapped in specific geological settings. Scientists now refer to this naturally occurring resource as “gold” hydrogen.

Geoffrey Ellis, a petroleum geochemist with the U.S. Geological Survey, emphasized the scale of the discovery, stating that scientists continue to find more hydrogen the deeper they investigate. As per IDR, this growing body of research has elevated natural hydrogen from a curiosity to a serious global energy prospect.

Why Natural Hydrogen Matters for Clean Energy

Importantly, natural hydrogen could play a critical role in global decarbonization efforts. As industries seek to reduce fossil fuel dependence, this resource offers a cleaner and more sustainable solution.

Unlike “gray” hydrogen, which releases significant carbon dioxide during production, natural hydrogen already exists underground. Therefore, emissions mainly come from extraction, making its overall carbon footprint far lower.

How Much Hydrogen Lies Beneath the Surface?

Researchers now estimate that Earth’s continental crust could contain enough hydrogen to meet current global energy needs for more than 170,000 years. A recent study led by Chris Ballentine, a geochemistry professor at the University of Oxford, reinforced the immense scale of this resource.

Although some hydrogen has escaped into the atmosphere over time, scientists are developing advanced techniques to locate and extract what remains in economically viable quantities.

Built-In Storage Gives Natural Hydrogen an Advantage

In addition to being clean, natural hydrogen offers a major logistical benefit: built-in storage. Since the gas already exists trapped within rock formations, it eliminates the need for large, costly storage facilities required for industrially produced hydrogen.

Consequently, this advantage makes natural hydrogen both more efficient and more environmentally friendly.

How Scientists Are Mapping Hydrogen Reservoirs

Next, scientists are focusing on identifying where these hydrogen reserves are located. Using gravity and magnetic data, researchers have begun mapping regions—particularly across the lower 48 U.S. states—where hydrogen is most likely to accumulate.

Geology plays a key role in this process. Areas rich in iron or uranium can generate hydrogen through chemical reactions with groundwater. Moreover, porous rocks such as sandstone allow hydrogen to collect, while impermeable layers like shale or salt trap the gas and prevent it from escaping.

A New Chapter in Global Energy

Ultimately, this discovery marks a turning point in the search for sustainable energy. With continued research and improved extraction methods, natural hydrogen could transform energy production, reduce emissions, and support global energy needs for generations to come.

India’s first Indian Institute of Technology began its journey in an unlikely place—a former jail. Today, IIT Kharagpur stands among the country’s top institutions. However, its true importance lies in the fact that it marked the beginning of India’s mission to build world-class technical education.

Foundation of a National Vision

IIT Kharagpur occupies a unique place in India’s educational history. As the first IIT, it laid the groundwork for a system that would later drive the nation’s scientific, technological, and industrial growth. Established in 1951, the institute emerged at a time when India was preparing to rebuild itself after independence.

From Freedom Struggle to Knowledge Hub

Notably, the institute began its operations at the Hijli Detention Camp, a site deeply connected to India’s freedom struggle. Once used by the British to imprison freedom fighters, the camp transformed into the foundation of India’s technological future. This dramatic shift gave IIT Kharagpur an identity that no other IIT shares.

Why India Needed the IITs

Meanwhile, the newly independent nation faced an urgent need for skilled engineers, researchers, and innovators. To meet these demands, the government sought institutions capable of supporting industrial development and scientific research. The Sarkar Committee strongly recommended establishing a chain of technical institutes on global standards, particularly those followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The First Step Toward a Bigger Plan

As per India Today, IIT Kharagpur became the first institute to turn this vision into reality. The West Bengal government offered the unused Hijli Detention Camp for the new institute, marking a powerful statement about India’s priorities in the post-independence era.

How the Institute Took Shape

By converting a site of struggle into a centre of learning, independent India demonstrated its intent to create opportunities from history’s scars. After 1947, the camp’s empty halls stood as silent reminders of the past, making their transformation even more meaningful.

IIT Kharagpur officially began functioning in 1951, with Dr. J. C. Ghosh taking charge as the institute’s first Director. Under his leadership, the foundation of India’s premier technical education system was firmly laid.

Engineering and construction giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is accelerating its push into the global nuclear energy market to meet rising demand for clean power, a senior company executive said. The company wants to expand its international footprint even as it continues strengthening operations at home.

Growing International Opportunities

Currently, about 80% of L&T’s nuclear business serves domestic clients, but the firm expects significant global growth in the coming years. As countries revive delayed nuclear power projects and invest in next-generation technology such as small modular reactors (SMRs), L&T is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the international supply chain.

Moreover, L&T is already engaged in major overseas projects. For example, the company has been involved in the fusion reactor project in France and is holding advanced discussions to serve as a global supply partner for nuclear island components and plant services.

Domestic Policy Reforms Can Boost Growth

To further support its ambitions, L&T is urging policymakers to update key nuclear energy laws in India. It argues that legal reforms could help attract private investment and foreign capital, which are crucial for expanding manufacturing capacity and competing on a global stage.

As per Business Standard, L&T’s leadership believes that removing regulatory bottlenecks at home will allow the company to scale up exports and participate more fully in international energy projects. Business Standard

Market Trends Favor Nuclear Energy Expansion

Industry analysts forecast that global nuclear power capacity will grow from roughly 378 gigawatts (GW) today to nearly 575 GW by 2040. This growth would increase nuclear energy’s share of the world’s electricity mix from about 9% to 12%, creating more opportunities for suppliers such as L&T.

L&T also expects significant demand in North America, Europe, the UK, and Asia, where governments are planning or restarting nuclear projects to meet clean energy targets and reduce carbon emissions.

Strengthening Its Position in Clean Energy

In addition to expanding its nuclear supply business, L&T has been forging strategic partnerships that support its global energy goals. For instance, it has collaborated with foreign firms to enhance design and manufacturing capabilities for advanced reactors and nuclear components.

These alliances, supported by regulatory approvals such as technology transfer clearances from the U.S. Department of Energy, help L&T advance in SMR technology and position itself as a key player in the global clean energy transition.

Pune has emerged as a key driver of India’s clean-energy ambitions. Researchers at MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) have achieved a world-leading hydrogen breakthrough by reducing hydrogen storage time to just two hours, compared to the global average of 18 hours. This advancement positions India among the top innovators shaping the future of clean energy.

Solving Hydrogen’s Biggest Challenge

For years, experts have identified hydrogen storage and transportation as the biggest bottlenecks to large-scale adoption. Now, MIT-WPU researchers have directly addressed this challenge. They have developed a safer and more cost-effective method to transport hydrogen, removing a major barrier to India’s hydrogen economy.

Innovative LOHC System Changes the Game

At the heart of this breakthrough lies a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) system. This technology allows hydrogen to be stored and transported in a non-flammable, non-explosive liquid form under normal temperature and pressure. As a result, the system eliminates the need for extreme measures such as 253°C cryogenic cooling or ultra-high-pressure cylinders.

Safer, Cheaper, and Easier Transportation

Moreover, the LOHC-based solution significantly cuts logistical costs. Instead of relying on complex and expensive infrastructure, hydrogen can now move as a stable liquid that behaves like any conventional industrial fuel. As per India Today, this approach could dramatically accelerate hydrogen adoption across multiple sectors.

A Big Step for India’s Clean Energy Future

Consequently, this breakthrough strengthens India’s position in the global clean-energy race. By making hydrogen storage safer, cheaper, and easier, MIT-WPU researchers have opened new pathways for sustainable energy deployment and reinforced India’s role as a global innovation leader.

Waaree Energies Ltd has become the first solar panel manufacturer in India to produce over 1 GW of solar modules in a single month, achieving this record-setting milestone in November 2025. This achievement marks a significant leap for India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem.

Expanding Global Manufacturing Capacity

The company currently operates with a cumulative solar module manufacturing capacity of 22.3 GW worldwide, including 19.7 GW in India and 2.6 GW in the USA. Additionally, Waaree’s solar cell manufacturing capacity has reached 5.4 GW, reinforcing its position among the world’s leading renewable technology manufacturers.

Advanced Infrastructure Enables Scale and Speed

According to Waaree, the 1 GW monthly production feat was made possible through:

• Fully automated, vertically integrated mega-factories,
• a resilient India-centric supply chain,
• next-generation high-throughput manufacturing lines, and
• Stringent operational discipline that ensures seamless, round-the-clock manufacturing.

Together, these elements enabled Waaree to deliver unprecedented speed, precision, and consistency in production.

Strengthening Project-Scale Readiness Worldwide

The milestone underscores the company’s ability to meet large-scale project requirements—across both domestic and international markets—with unmatched reliability and scale. Waaree continues to position itself as a preferred partner for utility-scale solar and global renewable energy developers.

Leadership Perspective

“This is a historic moment for Waaree Energies and for India’s solar manufacturing ecosystem. Producing 1 GW of solar modules in a single month is a nation first, and it reflects our team’s dedication, technological expertise, and the trust our customers place in us. As India accelerates towards its 500 GW renewable energy target, Waaree will continue to lead the charge, driving innovation and scale to power a sustainable future,” said Sunil Rathi, Executive Director, Waaree Energies Ltd.

Diverse Portfolio Across the Clean Energy Value Chain

With a strong presence in India and over 25 international markets, Waaree offers a wide portfolio that includes:

• Solar panels and inverter manufacturing,
• EPC services,
• Green hydrogen solutions,
• Battery energy storage systems,
• Green energy infrastructure development, and
• Data centre solutions.

As reported by pv-magazine-india.com, the company’s sustained innovation and expanding global footprint continue to strengthen India’s leadership in the global renewable energy landscape.

Naxion Energy, a Hyderabad-based sodium-ion battery manufacturer, unveiled plans to invest ₹200 crore by December 2026 to scale up its production capacity and establish a new manufacturing facility. The company, which currently operates a plant in Coimbatore, aims to strengthen its footprint in the fast-growing clean energy sector.

Strengthening Workforce and Manufacturing Capabilities

As part of the expansion, Naxion will increase its workforce by 50 percent to support rising demand and future growth. According to CEO Abishek Reddy, the upcoming plant—scheduled to begin operations next year—will house both an assembly unit and a cell manufacturing facility, becoming the company’s second major production site.

Launch of India’s First Sodium-Ion Energy Storage Systems

Naxion also introduced India’s first sodium-ion-based energy storage systems, developed at its Coimbatore plant. This launch marks a significant milestone for India’s battery and energy storage ecosystem. It offers innovative, next-generation alternative to conventional storage technologies.

Integrated System Designed for Versatility and Efficiency

The newly launched platform integrates a battery, inverter, and solar maximum power point tracking (MPPT) unit into a single system. The solution offers a safer, lighter, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional lead-acid batteries, serving residential, commercial, industrial, and defence applications.

Supporting India’s Shift Toward Cleaner Energy

By expanding its production capabilities and advancing sodium-ion technology, Naxion Energy aims to scale operations. It contributes to India’s transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. As reported by projectstoday.com, the facility and product innovations reinforce the company’s commitment to delivering reliable, future-ready energy solutions.

Hindustan Zinc is set to launch North India’s and Rajasthan’s first phosphate fertiliser manufacturing facility, backed by an investment of around ₹5,000 crore. Located in Chittorgarh, the plant aims to bridge the region’s fertiliser supply-demand gap while reducing reliance on imports and long-distance transportation.

Nearing Completion and Ready for Operation

Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal announced that the project is progressing rapidly. “We have completed 80% of the plant, and it is expected to be operational within the next three months,” he said. Agarwal highlighted that the new facility will directly benefit farmers by improving crop yields, strengthening soil nutrition, and enhancing overall agricultural productivity.

Two-Phase Development

*Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)

*Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK)

*Ammonium phosphate sulphate

These products play a critical role in supporting diverse cropping systems across India, particularly in regions facing nutrient deficiencies.

Supporting MSMEs Through the Zinc International Industrial Park

Alongside this investment, Hindustan Zinc is also advancing efforts to bolster small and medium zinc enterprises. The company is developing the Zinc International Industrial Park, which will host 200 new industries and create a robust ecosystem for value-added zinc applications.

Advancing Atma Nirbhar Bharat with New Employment Opportunities

Agarwal underscored that both the fertiliser plant and industrial park align with the Atma Nirbhar Bharat vision by strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing import dependency, and generating large-scale employment opportunities. As reported by projectstoday.com, the initiatives collectively position Rajasthan as a growing hub for fertiliser production and allied industries.