GAIL India is in discussions with three to four US liquefaction and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects to acquire a minority stake in one of them, according to industry executives familiar with the development. The move forms part of GAIL’s efforts to diversify its LNG portfolio and strengthen long-term gas supplies for India following disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

GAIL Seeks Long-Term US LNG Supplies

According to a senior industry executive, GAIL is currently evaluating nearly four US LNG export projects to secure long-term supplies. The company is also open to investing in one of these projects as a minority partner. Such an investment could help GAIL strengthen supply security while supporting India’s growing domestic natural gas demand.

Diversifying GAIL’s Global LNG Portfolio

GAIL already maintains a diversified LNG portfolio of around 16.56 million tons per annum (MMTPA). Its supplies come from several international markets, including the United States, Qatar and Australia. By exploring additional US LNG opportunities, GAIL aims to further diversify its sourcing base and reduce exposure to disruptions in individual supply routes or markets. The company did not respond to an email seeking comment until press time.

Focus on India’s Growing Gas Demand

India’s natural gas demand is expected to remain supported by industries such as fertilisers, city gas distribution, power, refining and petrochemicals. Therefore, securing reliable long-term LNG supplies remains important for meeting domestic requirements. GAIL’s potential investment in a US LNG project could combine upstream participation with long-term offtake, strengthening the company’s position in the global LNG supply chain.

Solex Energy Limited bagged a ₹75.96 crore work order from domestic entities in the power and electricity sector for the supply of N-Type TOPCon G12R Glass-to-Glass solar photovoltaic (PV) modules. Under the order, Solex will supply 620 Wp solar PV modules for renewable energy projects in the domestic market. The total contract value includes applicable duties and taxes.

High-Efficiency TOPCon Modules for Solar Projects

The order strengthens Solex Energy’s solar module portfolio as demand grows for high-efficiency photovoltaic technologies across utility-scale and large solar installations. The 620 Wp
N-Type TOPCon G12R Glass-to-Glass modules are designed to deliver high power output, durability and long-term performance. Consequently, the technology is well suited to utility-scale projects and other applications that require high-output solar modules.

Gujarat Facility Supports Solar Module Production

Solex manufactures its solar modules at its facility near Surat, Gujarat. The company’s products comply with various international and domestic standards and certifications, including IEC, CE, UL, CEC, BIS, EPD and Kiwa PVEL 2026. In addition, Solex’s modules are listed under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM).

Industry 4.0 Manufacturing Boosts Production

As part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, the company is expanding its manufacturing capabilities, quality systems and product portfolio. Its Industry 4.0-enabled manufacturing facility at Tadkeshwar, Gujarat, has an installed photovoltaic module production capacity of 4 GW. The plant uses automated manufacturing processes, real-time quality monitoring and data-driven production systems to enhance manufacturing efficiency and quality control.

Expanding Solar EPC and Technology Capabilities

As reported by themachinemaker.com, beyond module manufacturing, Solex provides engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for utility-scale, commercial, industrial and institutional solar projects. Meanwhile, the company is investing in manufacturing and technology capabilities to address the growing demand for high-efficiency solar modules in both Indian and international markets. It is also strengthening its export capabilities and workforce development initiatives, including programmes aimed at skilling young people from tribal communities.

Hitachi High-Tech Corporation established the Advanced-Technology Innovation Center Mumbai, a demonstration laboratory for analytical systems designed to support research, testing and quality-control requirements across India’s biopharmaceutical, environmental, materials, chemical and industrial sectors. Operated by Hitachi High-Tech India Private Limited, the new facility strengthens the company’s analytical technology and customer-support capabilities in India.

Mumbai Lab Supports Analytical Testing and Evaluation

The Mumbai Lab will enable customers to evaluate analytical solutions before deploying equipment at their facilities. The center will provide equipment demonstrations, customer sample evaluation, application proposals and technical consultations. Customers can also bring their own samples to the facility and assess the performance of analytical systems under actual application conditions. In addition, Hitachi High-Tech specialists will support proof-of-concept projects and application development.

Advanced Analytical Systems Under One Roof

The laboratory houses a range of analytical instruments, including:

Spectrophotometers

Liquid chromatographs

Thermal analyzers

Amino acid analyzers

Potentiometric titrators

Through hands-on evaluation, customers can identify suitable analytical solutions for specific testing and quality-control requirements. This approach can help organisations make more informed technology decisions before implementing equipment.

Facility Strengthens Support for Chemical and Industrial Sectors

The Mumbai Lab facility has been established to meet India’s applicable safety and environmental requirements for the analytical evaluation of chemical substances. Consequently, customers can conduct sample testing and verification in a controlled environment while working directly with Hitachi High-Tech specialists. The facility complements Hitachi High-Tech’s Advanced-Technology Innovation Center India in Bengaluru, established in 2025 as a demonstration laboratory focused primarily on the semiconductor sector.

The Bengaluru center uses advanced electron microscopy technologies, including the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope SU8600, along with other equipment and digital technologies. These capabilities support sample evaluation, failure analysis and process verification. Together, the Bengaluru and Mumbai facilities create a two-site laboratory network in India. While Bengaluru focuses on semiconductor applications, the Mumbai Lab addresses analytical requirements in chemicals, materials and other industrial sectors.

Expanding Technical Collaboration and Skills

Hitachi High-Tech expects the two facilities to improve customer access to analytical and evaluation technologies as demand grows across semiconductors, electronics, chemicals and other industries. Furthermore, the facilities will collaborate on solution development and customer support. The company plans to conduct hands-on workshops, academic collaborations and student internship programmes to encourage science and technology development and strengthen technical skills in India.

Supporting AI-Enabled Industrial Solutions

Hitachi High-Tech also plans to strengthen its digital assets and analytical capabilities in support of HMAX Industry, Hitachi Group’s next-generation solutions initiative. The initiative combines domain expertise, artificial intelligence (AI) and data from installed equipment to address industrial applications. As reported by themachinemaker.com, by integrating analytical technologies with digital capabilities, Hitachi High-Tech aims to develop solutions that can support customers’ evolving research, quality-control and manufacturing requirements.

Magma, an integrated industrial solutions company, signed Letters of Intent (LOIs) worth more than ₹800 crore with enterprise manufacturers across its advanced materials, waste management, precision engineering and digital industrial solutions businesses. The company expects to execute around 70% of its current LOI pipeline during FY27, providing greater revenue visibility for the remainder of the financial year. According to Magma, the pipeline reflects growing demand from large manufacturing customers and expanding opportunities across its enterprise relationships.

Precision Engineering Drives Indigenisation Demand

India’s industrial B2B trade is estimated at around US$2 trillion. Meanwhile, imports account for an estimated 60–65% of high-value component consumption in precision engineering. This represents an annual opportunity of more than ₹20,000 crore for organised and localised suppliers. Against this backdrop, Magma Engineering is seeing growing demand for indigenised critical components and precision-engineered parts. The company is working with manufacturers that are seeking domestic alternatives for specialised components, particularly where component availability directly affects manufacturing uptime.

Advanced Materials Support Industrial Applications

Magma’s Advanced Materials business is also witnessing increased demand for performance materials, compounds and specialty products. These materials serve applications across ceramics, polymers, packaging and other industrial sectors. Moreover, manufacturers are increasingly looking for materials that can improve production quality, operational efficiency and consistency.

Recycled Feedstock Gains Momentum

Meanwhile, Magma’s Magma Green business is seeing stronger demand for clean, sorted and traceable recycled industrial feedstock. Manufacturers are increasingly exploring alternatives to virgin materials to manage costs while meeting sustainability targets and regulatory requirements. India’s recycling market is estimated at US$23.7 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach US$62.6 billion by 2035. In addition, tighter Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements are increasing the importance of traceable recycled feedstock in industrial procurement.

Digital Solutions Expand Customer Engagement

Magma is also deploying its digital industrial solutions across procurement and supply chain processes. This creates another avenue for the company to engage with manufacturing customers and expand its industrial solutions portfolio. Neal Thakker, Founder and CEO of Magma, said the company’s growth model is built around solving critical industrial problems and expanding relationships through successful execution. “What we are seeing today is the beginning of a compounding flywheel. A critical problem gets us into a factory, execution earns trust, and that trust creates the opportunity to solve more of the customer’s industrial needs,” Thakker revealed. As reported by themachinemaker.com, Thakker added that Magma intends to scale this model with discipline and remain capital efficient while building a profitable business. The company believes its platform has significant potential for further expansion as it deepens relationships with enterprise manufacturers.

Trentar, the technology and infrastructure arm of Dorf Ketal Group, plans to develop a 500 MW green integrated hyperscale data centre in Maharashtra with a proposed investment of ₹30,000 crore (US$3.3 billion). The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra for the proposed project, marking a significant step in its expansion into large-scale digital infrastructure.

Maharashtra Government to Facilitate Project Approvals

The Maharashtra Government will facilitate coordination for applicable permissions, registrations, approvals, clearances and incentives in line with prevailing policies and regulations. The project has also received a Letter of Intent from the state government, outlining the applicable support and incentives. Consequently, the proposed framework is expected to help Trentar coordinate the regulatory and administrative requirements for developing the large-scale data centre project.

Focus on Renewable Energy and Water Efficiency

Trentar is designing the proposed facility with a target of sourcing at least 51% of its energy from renewable sources. In addition, the company is evaluating sustainable solutions for water management. These include treated-water reuse and water-efficient cooling technologies. However, Trentar will finalise the technology choices after completing detailed design and feasibility studies. By incorporating renewable energy and resource-efficient technologies, the company aims to develop a data centre infrastructure aligned with the growing sustainability requirements of the digital economy.

Dorf Ketal Expands into AI Infrastructure

The proposed investment marks Dorf Ketal Group’s expansion into large-scale digital infrastructure, particularly for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) applications. As reported by pv-magazine-india.co, Trentar plans to leverage these capabilities in developing the proposed hyperscale data centre. As demand for AI and high-performance computing continues to increase, the project could strengthen Maharashtra’s position as a hub for next-generation digital infrastructure.

INOX Air Products Limited (INOXAP), manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, inaugurated a 200 tons-per-day (TPD) Liquid Air Separation Unit (ASU) at Atchutapuram, Andhra Pradesh. T. G. Bharath, Minister for Industries and Commerce, Government of Andhra Pradesh, inaugurated the facility. The event was also attended by Sundarapu Vijay Kumar, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Yelamanchili; Pragada Nageswara Rao, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APRDC); and Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, INOXAP.

New Facility to Strengthen Industrial Gas Supply

Spread across 6.77 acres, the new plant will produce Liquid Oxygen (LOX), Liquid Nitrogen (LIN) and Liquid Argon (LAR). Consequently, the facility is expected to strengthen the availability of critical industrial gases and medical oxygen for Andhra Pradesh’s growing industrial and healthcare sectors.

The plant will cater to a wide range of industries, including:

Pharmaceuticals

Petrochemicals

Steel and metals

Ferro alloys

Chemicals

Glass

Engineering

The facility will support emerging applications in solar and semiconductor manufacturing.

Ultra-High-Purity Nitrogen for Advanced Applications

The new ASU can also be optimised to produce Ultra-High-Purity Liquid Nitrogen with 5N purity. This capability will support specialised requirements in solar and semiconductor manufacturing, where high-purity gases play an important role in production processes. By strengthening the regional supply of essential gases, INOXAP aims to support industrial expansion and contribute to Andhra Pradesh’s Swarna Andhra 2047 development vision.

INOXAP Targets Future Industrial Demand

Siddharth Jain, Managing Director, INOX Air Products Limited, said the new facility reflects the company’s confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s industrial potential and its commitment to developing critical gas infrastructure ahead of future demand. He highlighted that industrial gases are essential to modern manufacturing, while medical oxygen remains critical to healthcare delivery. The Atchutapuram facility, INOXAP said, will strengthen the supply of both while supporting established industries and emerging sectors such as solar and semiconductors. As per the press release, the company also expects the facility to create employment opportunities across its operations and associated services. With continued support from the Andhra Pradesh Government, INOXAP plans to deepen its presence in the State and contribute to its industrial growth and economic development.

Fournier Polymers, a subsidiary of global polymer distributor Meraxis, appointed Barbara Gonzini as Managing Director, Italy. Gonzini will lead the company’s Italian business as Fournier Polymers seeks to strengthen and expand its position in Italy’s polymer distribution market. Italy is one of Europe’s largest polymer markets. However, the market remains highly fragmented, with large plastics processors operating alongside numerous small and medium-sized companies. Fournier Polymers serves customers across this diverse landscape. Christophe Cario, Managing Director of Fournier Polymers, said Gonzini’s extensive knowledge of the Italian market will help the company respond more effectively to the needs of both major customers and smaller plastics processors. According to Cario, her market experience will support Fournier Polymers’ growth while enabling the company to provide competitive pricing, reliable supply and customised solutions to customers.

More Than 30 Years of Plastics Industry Experience

Gonzini brings more than 30 years of experience in the plastics industry to her new position. Most recently, she served as EMEA Product Manager, Specialty Powders and Services, at Basell Advanced Polymers Solutions Sales & Marketing in Milan, part of the LyondellBasell Group. Previously, she worked as Regional Sales Manager in the Specialty Powders division, where she managed major customers across Europe. Between 2014 and 2020, Gonzini held senior sales positions at A. Schulman in Gorla Maggiore. Her responsibilities included leading sales and customer service teams in Italy as well as markets across Southern Europe, Africa and Asia. Earlier in her career, she developed further commercial expertise through roles at Ico Polymers Italy and Verplast.

Broad Polymer Portfolio for Italian Processors

Fournier Polymers supplies polymer solutions to Italian plastics processors across several industries, including packaging. Its customers manufacture products using extrusion, injection moulding and other processing technologies.

The company’s portfolio includes:

Polyolefins and styrenics

Engineering polymers

Additives

Masterbatches

Thermoplastic elastomers

This broad portfolio enables Fournier Polymers to address a wide range of application and processing requirements.

Strengthening Customer-Focused Growth

Gonzini said Italy’s demanding and diverse market presents an opportunity for Fournier Polymers to strengthen its position. She highlighted the company’s local team, short communication channels and strong supplier partnerships as key advantages. Moreover, the backing of Meraxis, with its international presence, broad product portfolio and range of services, provides additional support for Fournier Polymers’ growth strategy in Italy. As per the press release, with Gonzini at the helm, the company aims to combine local market expertise with Meraxis’ global capabilities to deliver reliable supply and tailored polymer solutions to customers across Italy.

KBC, a Yokogawa Electric Corporation company, launched Multiflash® 7.7, the latest version of its thermodynamic and PVT modeling software for complex fluids. Drawing on decades of thermodynamic expertise, the new release expands modeling capabilities for engineers working across flow assurance, carbon capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, reservoir, production, process and petrochemical applications. With Multiflash 7.7, KBC aims to provide engineers with a consistent thermodynamic foundation for analyzing complex fluids under diverse operating conditions.

Supporting the Growing CCS and Hydrogen Sector

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) capacity could reach around 430 million tons of CO₂ per year by 2030, based on the current project pipeline. As CCS and hydrogen projects progress from pilot plants to larger-scale deployment, engineers face increasingly complex modeling requirements. These challenges span the entire workflow—from fluid characterization and phase behavior to transportation, storage and process integration.

“Engineering teams are no longer modeling only conventional hydrocarbon systems,” said Behnam Salimi, Senior Product Manager for Multiflash at KBC. “They are evaluating CO₂-rich fluids, hydrogen systems, saline produced waters, reactive mixtures and petrochemical separations, often within the same workflow. Multiflash 7.7 helps bring greater consistency and confidence to those calculations.”

Expanded Modeling for Complex Fluids

Multiflash 7.7 introduces several capabilities designed to address emerging energy and process-engineering requirements:

Chemical reaction flash: Supports systems in which chemical reactions influence fluid behavior and phase equilibrium.

Enhanced electrolyte modeling: Expands support for brines, salts and ions, helping engineers improve workflows related to scaling, corrosion and produced-water systems.

Improved CCS and hydrogen modeling: Enhances the handling of CO₂-rich and H₂-rich systems for carbon capture, transportation and hydrogen applications.

Consistent thermodynamic modeling: Enables engineers to apply thermodynamic models across conventional and emerging energy systems involving complex fluids.

Stronger Process Simulation Integration

As per the press release, in addition, Version 7.7 expands integration with Petro-SIM® process simulation software, broadens API support and enhances ThermoBuilder. These improvements can simplify software deployment while streamlining engineering analysis. As a result, engineers can apply consistent thermodynamic models across reservoir, pipeline and process environments. This approach can help reduce modeling uncertainty and support more informed engineering decisions.

Building a Foundation for Energy Transition

“Trusted thermodynamics are the foundation of engineering,” said Simon Rogers, Chief Technology Officer at KBC. “As industry addresses increasingly complex challenges across conventional and emerging energy systems, the need for accurate thermodynamic prediction continues to grow. Our goal is to provide the scientific foundation engineers need to make informed decisions across a wide range of applications,” Rogers added. Overall, Multiflash 7.7 strengthens KBC’s thermodynamic modeling capabilities for complex fluids while supporting the evolving requirements of CCS, hydrogen and other energy-transition applications. The release represents another step in KBC’s mission of “Bringing Decarbonization to Life®.”

Saint-Gobain plans to invest around ₹11,000 crore in India over the next five years as the French building materials major accelerates its expansion in the country. The company is also shifting its strategy from selling individual construction products to providing integrated building solutions designed to improve energy efficiency, thermal comfort and noise reduction.

Focus Shifts to Integrated Building Solutions

Sreedhar N., Senior Vice-President and CEO for Asia-Pacific and India, Saint-Gobain, is leading the company’s India growth strategy. He aims to combine Saint-Gobain’s portfolio across glass, insulation, construction chemicals and other building materials to offer customers complete solutions. Rather than selling individual products, the company plans to demonstrate how its combined technologies can help customers reduce energy consumption and improve acoustic performance. “I don’t come here to sell you a product. I will reduce the energy bill and will reduce the noise,” Sreedhar said, highlighting the company’s integrated solutions approach.

India Investment to More Than Double

The planned investment represents a significant increase in Saint-Gobain’s capital deployment in India. The company invested approximately ₹9,900 crore in India during the previous decade. With the new commitment, Saint-Gobain’s average annual investment in the country will increase from around ₹990 crore to ₹2,200 crore, representing an increase of approximately 122%. India has become one of Saint-Gobain’s five most profitable markets and remains its fastest-growing country, according to Sreedhar. The company reported €1.7 billion in India sales in 2025, with an EBITDA margin exceeding 20%. Meanwhile, Saint-Gobain Chairman and CEO Benoît Bazin has set an ambition to triple the size of the company’s Indian business over the next decade.

Construction Chemicals and Acquisitions Drive Growth

Saint-Gobain has strengthened its construction chemicals portfolio through businesses including Chryso, GCP and Ovniver. These operations have helped the company build a global construction chemicals platform valued at approximately €6.5 billion. Going forward, Sreedhar remains open to further acquisitions, particularly those that can strengthen Saint-Gobain’s strategic position in India. “I am willing to acquire anything meaningful for our organisation,” he said.

Insulation, Gypsum and Chemicals Offer Growth Opportunities

Saint-Gobain sees significant growth potential in insulation and construction chemicals. The company also expects opportunities in gypsum board, particularly as its use expands beyond commercial buildings into residential construction. The company currently operates 82 plants in India. In addition, its Chennai innovation hub employs around 300 scientists, who develop products suited to Indian market requirements and have generated approximately 275 patents.

Tamil Nadu Emerges as a Key Investment Hub

Tamil Nadu remains an important manufacturing and investment base for Saint-Gobain. The company has committed approximately ₹5,400 crore across projects in the state. At the same time, India is emerging as a regional manufacturing and export hub for Saint-Gobain. Locally manufactured stone wool has been qualified for the Australian market, while higher-value glass products are exported to Australia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Construction

As reported by siliconindia.com, beyond capacity expansion and acquisitions, Sreedhar has set a broader ambition for Saint-Gobain’s India operations. He wants to promote lighter building materials that can reduce dependence on traditional construction materials such as bricks, cement and sand. “I would like to see if I can completely replace sand, cement, and brick. That would be my dream,” Sreedhar said, adding that he believes such a transformation could eventually be feasible.