Navitas Solar is planning to invest ₹10,000 crore over the next five years to develop an integrated renewable energy ecosystem across Gujarat and Maharashtra. The company plans to expand across the solar value chain, covering manufacturing, power generation and energy storage. The proposed investment will include facilities for ingots, wafers, high-efficiency solar cells and battery energy storage systems (BESS). In addition, Navitas Solar plans to develop two solar parks as it strengthens its presence in India’s growing clean energy sector.

Expanding Solar Manufacturing

Navitas Solar has already established a significant manufacturing presence in Gujarat. At its facility in Sisodara, Surat district, the company has commissioned a 2.5 GW solar module manufacturing facility, taking its overall module production capacity to 3 GW. The company is also setting up a 2.4 GW solar cell manufacturing line on an adjoining plot. Alongside this facility, Navitas Solar is developing 100 MW pilot lines for ingot and wafer production to build technical expertise and prepare for larger-scale manufacturing. The first phase of the 2.4 GW solar cell plant involves an investment of approximately ₹1,200 crore. The company expects the facility to become operational by July 2027.

Building Upstream Solar Capabilities

Navitas Solar is also focusing on backward integration across the solar manufacturing chain. The company plans to use its pilot ingot and wafer facilities to develop the required technical capabilities before scaling up production. According to Ankit Singhania, Director, Navitas Solar, the company plans to expand rapidly across the value chain as India strengthens its domestic renewable energy manufacturing ecosystem.

5 GWh Battery Storage Facility

Navitas Solar is also entering the energy storage segment with a planned 5 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) facility in Vadodara. The project involves an estimated investment of around ₹100 crore. The addition of battery storage will complement the company’s solar manufacturing and power generation activities while expanding its renewable energy portfolio.

Integrated Renewable Energy Value Chain

With its proposed investments, Navitas Solar aims to build an integrated renewable energy business spanning ingot and wafer manufacturing, solar cells, modules, solar power generation and battery energy storage. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the strategy would enable the company to strengthen its upstream manufacturing capabilities while simultaneously expanding into downstream clean energy infrastructure across Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI), which represents pesticide manufacturers, urged the government to introduce a targeted, time-bound policy framework for the agrochemical industry. As part of the proposal, ACFI has called for a ₹5,000–7,500 crore support programme to strengthen upstream agrochemical manufacturing. According to ACFI, the proposed programme could help India increase domestic production of agrochemical technicals and intermediates, reduce cost disadvantages compared with China and encourage greater backward integration.

Focus on Domestic Agrochemical Manufacturing

ACFI made the recommendations while releasing a KPMG-prepared knowledge paper titled “Redefining Indian Crop Protection through Innovation: From Scale to Science.” The report argues that India’s industrial policy should focus on addressing specific ecosystem disadvantages that affect manufacturing competitiveness. Rather than creating long-term dependence on subsidies or protection, the proposed measures aim to support investment, production and innovation. The report recommends a 7–8-year support period, including two to three years for plant commissioning followed by sustained production support. It also proposes graded investment thresholds covering both large companies and MSMEs, as well as greenfield and brownfield projects.

Proposed Incentives for Agrochemical Producers

The KPMG report recommends several financial and infrastructure measures to improve the competitiveness of domestic agrochemical manufacturing. These include:

5–8% incentives on incremental sales

30–40% subsidies on industrial electricity costs

Subsidised access to shared Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)

Capital grants for specialised research and development

PLI-style incentives linked to incremental sales

Long-term financing for manufacturing investments

According to the report, these measures could help address the operating-cost advantage enjoyed by competing manufacturing hubs.

Agrochemical Manufacturing Parks and Infrastructure

ACFI has called for the development of specialised agrochemical manufacturing parks with shared utilities and cluster-based environmental infrastructure. The report also recommends selective backward integration into strategically important intermediates. This approach could strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on imported raw materials. In addition, ACFI has proposed a single-window regulatory framework supported by a unified digital platform for central and state-level approvals. It has also called for transparent, time-bound processes and clearer regulatory pathways for biological crop-protection products.

Innovation Across Agriculture

Kalyan Goswami, Director General, ACFI, said agricultural innovation needs to bring together multiple technologies rather than develop in isolation. These include biotechnology, crop protection, biologicals, nanotechnology, digital technologies, improved seeds and crop nutrition. He also highlighted the importance of building farmer confidence and strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, government and the scientific community so that innovations can move from research to practical field applications.

Industry Calls for Research and Technology Development

ACFI Chairman Rahul Dhanuka said the industry should focus on farmer requirements by supporting innovation through an enabling regulatory framework, strengthening domestic capabilities and supply chains, promoting digitalisation and advancing sustainable agriculture. During ACFI’s recent AGM panel discussion, government and industry experts also highlighted the need to strengthen research and technology development. Vishal Chaudhary, Scientific Adviser to the government, said India has established a strong position in agrochemical manufacturing and now needs to complement this capability with greater emphasis on research, innovation and technology development. He also highlighted the role of public-private partnerships and stronger industry-academia collaboration. Sweety Behera, Director, FSSAI, emphasised that agricultural innovation must increasingly address sustainability and consumer safety, alongside productivity.

Biotechnology and Digitalisation to Support Agriculture

Pushplata Singh, Director, TERI, highlighted the potential of biotechnology and nanotechnology to support more sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. Rajvir Rathi, Director-Agricultural Affairs, Bayer CropScience, pointed to technology licensing and access frameworks as potential mechanisms for connecting agricultural innovation with wider farmer adoption. Gopinath Koneti, Partner and Senior Advisor, KPMG India, emphasised that agricultural innovations ultimately need to demonstrate economic viability, particularly through solutions that deliver measurable and practical value to farmers.

Building a Competitive Crop Protection Industry

Overall, the KPMG report recommends focusing India’s next phase of crop-protection growth on manufacturing competitiveness, innovation commercialisation, supply-chain resilience and lower structural costs. ACFI’s proposed policy framework combines financial incentives, manufacturing infrastructure, regulatory reforms, research support and technology development. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the association said these measures could help strengthen India’s domestic agrochemical ecosystem while supporting the development of more sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions.

Maruti Suzuki India commissioned a 300 kW green hydrogen electrolyser plant at its Manesar manufacturing facility in Haryana. The project marks the automaker’s first green hydrogen plant and forms part of its efforts to reduce fossil-fuel consumption and lower the carbon footprint of manufacturing operations.

Green Hydrogen from Surplus Solar Power

The pilot plant will use surplus solar power generated at the Manesar facility during holidays to produce green hydrogen. Maruti Suzuki will store the hydrogen and subsequently blend it with natural gas for use as process fuel in manufacturing operations. This approach will also improve the utilisation of renewable electricity that might otherwise remain unused, while supporting the company’s transition towards cleaner industrial energy sources.

Plans to Expand Green Hydrogen Use

Based on the results and operational learnings from the pilot project, Maruti Suzuki plans to expand green hydrogen adoption across its manufacturing facilities in Haryana and Gujarat. The green hydrogen initiative forms part of a broader strategy to diversify the company’s renewable energy mix.

Expanding Biogas and Energy Storage

Maruti Suzuki is also in the advanced stages of establishing a 10-tonne-per-day biogas plant at its Kharkhoda facility. In addition, the company has commissioned a 1 MWh battery energy storage system at the site. The company’s board has also approved four compressed biogas projects with an investment of ₹561 crore. Together, these initiatives are designed to increase the use of renewable and lower-carbon energy sources across its manufacturing network.

Targeting Lower Manufacturing Emissions

Maruti Suzuki Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the competitiveness of manufacturing operations will increasingly depend not only on cost and quality but also on the carbon intensity of production. The company aims to reduce its manufacturing carbon footprint from approximately 6,15,000 tons to 2,66,000 tons by FY2030-31. The new green hydrogen plant, along with investments in solar power, biogas and battery storage, is expected to contribute to this emissions-reduction target.

Fineotex Chemical incorporated a wholly owned step-down subsidiary, Fineotex America Inc., in the United States. The new entity will focus on providing advanced water treatment chemicals for data centres and other technology-driven industries. The move marks Fineotex Chemical’s direct entry into the US market and supports its strategy to expand into high-growth applications requiring specialised chemical solutions.

US Subsidiary Targets Data Centres

Fineotex Biotex HealthGuard FZE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fineotex Chemical, incorporated Fineotex America Inc. in Delaware. Through the US subsidiary, Fineotex plans to address the growing demand for water treatment solutions from data centres and semiconductor manufacturing facilities. These industries require reliable water management systems because of their significant cooling and process-water requirements.

Focus on Water Treatment for Digital Infrastructure

Data centres consume substantial volumes of water for cooling and related operations. Similarly, semiconductor manufacturing facilities require carefully controlled water quality for various production processes. Therefore, Fineotex America will focus on supplying specialised water treatment chemicals designed to support these critical infrastructure requirements. The company aims to build a dedicated presence in the US as demand for data centres, semiconductor facilities and other digital infrastructure continues to expand.

Expanding Fineotex’s Specialty Chemical Portfolio

The establishment of Fineotex America Inc. broadens the company’s geographic reach while creating opportunities in specialised water treatment applications. As reported by scanX, by targeting data centres and semiconductor manufacturing, Fineotex aims to participate in the growing ecosystem surrounding advanced technology infrastructure and strengthen its presence in high-value specialty chemical markets.

Balaji Amines Limited commenced commercial production at its acetonitrile plant in Solapur, Maharashtra, following the completion of an expansion and modernisation programme. The company started commercial operations at the upgraded facility on September 24, 2026. The enhanced plant now has an installed production capacity of 1,440 tons per month (TPM), enabling Balaji Amines to increase the availability of acetonitrile for domestic and international markets.

Acetonitrile Plant Expansion Completed

The upgraded facility is located at Chincholi MIDC, Solapur, and forms part of the company’s Unit III operations. Balaji Amines has used advanced technology to modernise the plant and expand its production capabilities. As a result, the company can strengthen its manufacturing infrastructure and respond more effectively to demand for acetonitrile across various industrial applications.

Strengthening Specialty Chemicals Supply

Acetonitrile is an important chemical used across several industrial and specialty chemical applications. With the expanded capacity now operational, Balaji Amines aims to improve supply availability for both domestic and overseas customers. As reported scanX, the successful commissioning strengthens the company’s manufacturing capabilities and supports its position in the specialty chemicals sector.

Balrampur Chini Mills (BCML) received ₹75 crore in grant assistance from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), government of India. The grant will support the establishment of a 100-ton-per-annum (TPA) PLA Co-Polymer R&D facility under the government’s flagship BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) initiative. The project will accelerate the development of advanced bio-based materials while strengthening India’s domestic biomanufacturing capabilities. In addition, it supports the country’s efforts to expand its bioeconomy and develop innovative alternatives to conventional materials.

R&D Facility to Support PLA Innovation

BCML will establish the pilot-scale R&D facility at its integrated manufacturing complex in Kumbhi, Uttar Pradesh. The company is also setting up India’s first integrated commercial-scale PLA manufacturing facility at the same complex. The R&D centre will focus on developing
next-generation polylactic acid (PLA) grades and co-polymers. As a result, the facility is expected to accelerate research, product development and technology validation.

From Research to Commercial Production

Furthermore, the facility will serve as an innovation platform for advancing PLA technology from laboratory and pilot-scale development to commercial production. It will enable BCML to:

Develop new PLA grades and co-polymers

Accelerate product development and testing

Support technology indigenisation

Conduct customer validation

Facilitate seamless scale-up to commercial production

By integrating R&D with its planned commercial manufacturing operations, BCML aims to shorten development timelines and strengthen its ability to respond to emerging demand for bio-based materials.

Strengthening India’s Bio-Based Materials Ecosystem

The ₹75 crore grant will support BCML’s efforts to develop indigenous PLA technologies and expand domestic manufacturing capabilities. Moreover, the integration of R&D and commercial-scale production could help create a stronger value chain for advanced bio-based materials in India. As reported by business-standard.com, the initiative therefore represents a step towards developing innovative PLA products, promoting biomanufacturing and supporting the broader growth of India’s bioeconomy.

Waaree Clean Energy Solutions (WCES), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mumbai-based Waaree Energies, is entering the specialty gases market with plans to establish a manufacturing facility at GIDC Saykha in Dahej, Gujarat. The company will supply ultra-high-purity (UHP) gases and chemicals to semiconductor and solar cell manufacturers. The new pan-India business will cater to semiconductor fabs, OSAT and ATMP facilities, advanced electronics manufacturers and solar cell production lines. The move comes as India expands domestic capabilities across the semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

Phased Expansion of Specialty Gas Facilities

WCES plans to develop its specialty gases business in multiple phases. Initially, the company will establish multi-purpose warehousing and storage infrastructure, along with a dedicated unit for UHP ammonia purification. In addition, WCES plans to set up a phosphine-hydrogen (PH₃/H₂) mixing plant. The company also intends to add UHP oxygen to its portfolio, while UHP hydrogen is already commercially available.

Expanding UHP Gas and Chemical Portfolio

WCES plans to offer a broad range of high-purity gases and chemicals for semiconductor, electronics and solar manufacturing applications. The proposed portfolio includes:

Silane

Ammonia

Nitrous oxide

Phosphine mixtures

Boron trichloride (BCl₃)

Trimethyl aluminium

Diborane

Germane/hydrogen mixtures

Hydrogen bromide (HBr)

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆)

Nitric oxide

Fluorinated gases

Calibration gases

This portfolio will enable WCES to address the specialised gas requirements of advanced manufacturing facilities across India.

Integrated Gas and Chemical Management

Beyond supplying specialty gases, WCES will provide customised gas and chemical supply systems for industrial customers. The company also plans to establish nitrogen plants to support manufacturing operations. Additionally, its proposed Total Gas and Chemical Management System will integrate storage, delivery, safety monitoring and inventory management. This approach is designed to provide customers with a more comprehensive solution for handling high-purity gases and chemicals.

Supporting India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

As India continues to strengthen its semiconductor and electronics manufacturing capabilities, demand for reliable supplies of UHP gases and chemicals is expected to grow. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, through its phased expansion, WCES aims to support semiconductor fabs, OSAT and ATMP facilities, electronics manufacturers and solar cell production lines with specialised gas and chemical solutions.

Rain Industries announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Rain Carbon Inc., entered into a strategic collaboration with BioBTX BV to supply renewable aromatic products to the chemical industry. Through this partnership, the companies aim to support more circular and sustainable value chains by converting plastic waste into high-quality aromatic derivatives.

Plastic Waste to Renewable Aromatics

BioBTX, based in Groningen, the Netherlands, developed the proprietary Integrated Catalytic Cracking Process (ICCP) technology. The process enables the conversion of plastic waste into valuable aromatic hydrocarbons. In July 2026, BioBTX announced a positive Final Investment Decision for its first commercial-scale plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The facility is expected to become operational in early 2028 and is designed to process plastic waste into approximately 10,000 tons per year of renewable aromatic oil. The oil will contain key aromatic compounds, including benzene, toluene and xylenes. Consequently, it can serve as a renewable feedstock for producing a range of chemical derivatives.

Rain Carbon to Process Circular Feedstock

Rain Carbon will process the circular aromatic oil into benzene, phthalic anhydride and other derivatives. These products are intended to deliver quality and performance comparable to conventional fossil-based alternatives. As a result, chemical manufacturers can potentially incorporate these renewable products into existing value chains while reducing their reliance on fossil-based raw materials. This drop-in approach could also help customers lower their carbon footprint without compromising product performance.

Partnership Supports Circular Chemical Value Chains

The collaboration combines BioBTX’s plastic-waste conversion technology with Rain Carbon’s expertise in carbon processing and distillation. Rain Carbon brings more than 150 years of experience in converting industrial by-products into essential carbon materials. Kris Vanherbergen, EVP Carbon Distillation and Advanced Materials at Rain Carbon, said the collaboration supports the company’s objective of creating value from alternative carbon sources. By combining the two companies’ technologies and processing capabilities, the partnership aims to develop renewable and circular solutions for the chemical industry.

Growing Demand for Circular Raw Materials

BioBTX CEO Ton Vries highlighted market interest in renewable aromatic products across industries such as pharmaceuticals, coatings, toys and automotive applications. As companies increasingly seek materials with higher recycled content and lower carbon footprints, demand for circular raw materials is also growing. Therefore, the collaboration between BioBTX and Rain Carbon could help expand the availability of renewable aromatic feedstocks for industrial applications. As reported by scan X, the partnership marks a step towards integrating plastic waste into chemical value chains and developing alternatives to fossil-based aromatic raw materials.

Praj Industries is expanding beyond its core ethanol and biofuel engineering business as it looks for new growth opportunities. The company is increasing its focus on emerging sectors, including hyperscale data centres, semiconductor water treatment and advanced biofuels. This diversification strategy aims to create new business opportunities while reducing the company’s dependence on traditional ethanol projects.

Praj Enters Hyperscale Data Centre Market

As part of its expansion, Praj Industries secured a global supply agreement for modular infrastructure for hyperscale data centres. The agreement marks an early step in the company’s move into the rapidly developing data centre infrastructure market. Furthermore, the new business could allow Praj to leverage its engineering capabilities and develop a broader technology base for industrial applications.

Focus on Emerging Industrial Technologies

Alongside data centres and semiconductor applications, Praj continues to explore opportunities in advanced biofuels. By combining its existing engineering expertise with new technologies and applications, the company aims to build a more diversified business portfolio. As reported by projectstoday.ai, the expansion into data centres, semiconductor water treatment and advanced biofuels could therefore provide Praj with additional avenues for growth as demand evolves across industrial and technology sectors.