Welspun Corp Ltd approved investments of up to ₹2,280 crore to expand its steel pipe manufacturing operations in the US and Jordan. Through these investments, the company aims to strengthen its global manufacturing footprint and capitalise on growing demand from oil and gas pipeline projects and large-scale infrastructure development.

Investment in US and Jordan Manufacturing Facilities

Welspun Corp will invest up to ₹1,093 crore to expand spiral pipe manufacturing capacity at its existing facility in Little Rock, Arkansas, US. Additionally, the company will invest approximately ₹1,188 crore, in partnership with Perma-Pipe, to establish pipe manufacturing and coating facilities in Jordan. The company announced these investments alongside its September-quarter financial results on Thursday. During the quarter, consolidated net profit increased 13% year-on-year to ₹499 crore, while revenue from operations grew 6% to ₹4,644 crore.

US Facility to Add 2.25 Lakh Tons of Capacity

The expansion at the Little Rock facility will add 2.25 lakh tons per annum of high-frequency submerged arc welded (HSAW) pipe manufacturing capacity. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the facility’s total annual capacity will increase from the existing 3.5 lakh tons to 5.75 lakh tonnes. Welspun Corp expects the additional capacity to become operational by March 2028. The company will finance the expansion through internal accruals.

Strong Demand Drives Expansion Plans

Welspun Corp cited its robust order book, strong market demand and favourable long-term growth prospects in the US oil and gas pipeline sector as key reasons behind the investment. Furthermore, the expansion will strengthen the company’s ability to serve growing pipeline infrastructure requirements while enhancing its manufacturing capabilities in key international markets.

JERA Co., Inc. (JERA) and AM Green Ammonia (India) Private Limited (AM Green) signed an agreement for the annual supply of approximately 70,000 tons of green ammonia over five years, with an option to extend the contract. Under the agreement, AM Green will produce green ammonia at its facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, using advanced alkaline electrolysis technology. The production process will rely on round-the-clock renewable energy, supported by pumped hydro storage. The company plans to commission the facility by 2028-29.

Green Ammonia Supply for Japan’s Maritime Sector

Furthermore, AM Green will supply the green ammonia through receiving, storage and distribution facilities being developed near JERA’s Hekinan Thermal Power Station in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The supply will primarily serve a planned joint venture between Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Limited and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha. The joint venture intends to deploy an ammonia bunkering vessel to supply fuel to ammonia-powered car carriers, supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards cleaner fuels.

ADB and Japan Support Green Ammonia Project

Earlier, in October 2026, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Japan signed financing agreements with AM Green Ammonia (India) Private Limited to support the development of a green ammonia production facility in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, with an annual capacity of 1.1 million tons. The financing package includes a $100 million loan from the Leading Asia’s Private Infrastructure Fund 2 (LEAP 2). As reported by renewablewatch.in, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) finances the fund, while ADB administers it. The project is expected to strengthen India’s green ammonia production capabilities and support the growing demand for low-carbon fuels in international markets.

Mecpower Solutions Limited and Navitas Solar Private Limited joined hands to establish a 5 GWh battery energy storage system (BESS) manufacturing facility in Karjan, Gujarat. The facility is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of the financial year 2027-28. Under the partnership, Mecpower Solutions will contribute its expertise in renewable energy project development, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC). Meanwhile, Navitas Solar will leverage its manufacturing capabilities to support the facility’s development and operations. The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s domestic battery energy storage manufacturing ecosystem and support the growing demand for energy storage solutions.

responsAbility Invests in Navitas Green Solutions

In a related development, responsAbility announced plans in October 2026 to invest up to US$20 million in growth capital in Surat-based Navitas Green Solutions Private Limited through its Asia Climate Fund. The investment will support Navitas’s expansion into solar cell manufacturing, including the development of a planned 2.2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility in India. This expansion will further strengthen the company’s presence across the solar energy value chain.

Navitas Solar Partners with Caelux for Advanced Solar Modules

Earlier, in July 2026, Navitas Solar Private Limited entered into a five-year, 5 GW commercialisation partnership with Caelux Corporation to manufacture ultra-high-efficiency hybrid tandem solar modules. The collaboration will combine Caelux’s perovskite energy-producing glass technology with Navitas Solar’s N-Type TOPCon technology. Through this integration, the partners aim to develop solar modules with conversion efficiencies of up to 28%.

Strengthening India’s Renewable Energy Manufacturing Ecosystem

These partnerships highlight Navitas’s expanding presence across solar manufacturing and clean energy technologies. By combining investments in solar cells, advanced solar modules and battery energy storage systems, the company is strengthening its capabilities in India’s renewable energy sector. As reported by renewablewatch.in, the proposed 5 GWh BESS facility in Gujarat will also contribute to the development of domestic energy storage manufacturing capacity, supporting the integration of renewable energy into the power grid.

Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd (GOLIL) is marking 125 years of the global Gulf brand with an ambitious growth and transformation strategy. Building on its legacy of trust and innovation, the company plans to strengthen its core lubricants business while expanding into future-ready mobility solutions, advanced fluid engineering and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. Backed by the Hinduja Group’s long-term commitment to India, Gulf Oil is investing ahead of market demand. The company aims to increase its manufacturing capacity by 70% to 240 million litres by March 2027. At the same time, it is strengthening its capabilities in EV charging hardware, software and connectivity to address emerging mobility requirements.

Gulf Oil Marks 125 Years with ‘Born to be Behad’ Campaign

To commemorate the milestone, Gulf Oil launched its anniversary film, Born to be Behad, featuring brand ambassador MS Dhoni. The campaign reflects the brand’s ambition to push boundaries and embrace new opportunities. The celebrations began with a special event in Mumbai, attended by the company’s key customers, distributors and business partners who have contributed to its growth in India. The occasion was marked by the presence of Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, along with brand ambassadors MS Dhoni and Smriti Mandhana.

Expanding Manufacturing Capacity and Future-Ready Businesses

Founded in 1901, Gulf is a globally recognised brand with a presence in more than 100 countries. In India, Gulf Oil Lubricants has grown at two to three times the market rate over the past 15 years, establishing itself as the country’s second-largest private-sector lubricants brand. As part of its next growth phase, the company is expanding beyond traditional lubricants into mobility and industrial solutions. Its strategic priorities include increasing manufacturing capacity, developing sustainable oils, exploring data-centre cooling solutions and investing in EV charging technologies. Furthermore, Gulf Oil’s partnerships with more than 50 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), supported by its global research and development (R&D) hub in Chennai, strengthen its ability to develop innovative solutions for India’s evolving industrial and mobility sectors.

Leadership Outlines Gulf’s Next Growth Phase

Sanjay Hinduja, Chairman, Gulf Oil International, said, “Gulf’s 125-year legacy is a story of evolution, built on the strength of its values and the trust it has earned across generations. Across the more than 100 countries we operate in, India has been one of our fastest growing and most consistent markets for over 15 years. It holds significant opportunity to accelerate growth, by strengthening our leadership in lubricants while building new avenues in value-added services, e-mobility and other allied areas on the strategic fit. We intend to lead this journey with superior and cleaner technologies, bold innovation and a workforce built for tomorrow. India’s growth story will be an important part of Gulf’s next phase.”

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said, “Our 125th anniversary is a testament to our commitment, bold decisions, relentless innovation and enduring partnerships. As we celebrate this milestone, we are also defining where we want to go next. While looking ahead to an evolving future, these partnerships will matter more than ever. ‘Born to be Behad’ reflects who we have always been, a brand that goes beyond the limits set for it. Going forward, our brand platform, ‘Kuch Behad Kar’, will carry that spirit into everything we do.”

Generation Behad: Empowering 125,000 Women in Mobility

Alongside its business expansion plans, Gulf Oil has announced Generation Behad, an initiative aimed at empowering 125,000 women in the mobility sector. The programme will focus on improving women’s access to knowledge, training and career opportunities in mobility. It will encourage greater participation in traditionally under-represented roles, including professional driving and vehicle mechanics. Brand ambassador Smriti Mandhana launched the initiative during the anniversary celebrations.

Aarthy Sridhar, Chief Marketing Officer, Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd, said, “Smriti has shown what happens when the field opens for women in cricket, the talent was always there; it just needed the space. Now it is time for mobility, where women continue to be under-represented. With Generation Behad, we want to create that space, helping women train for and step into roles from behind the wheel to under the bonnet.”

Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Future

As Gulf celebrates its 125-year legacy, the company is focusing on strengthening its core lubricants business, adapting to changing mobility requirements and deepening customer relationships. As per the press release, through investments in advanced technologies, sustainable solutions, digitalisation and inclusive development, Gulf Oil aims to create long-term value and position itself for the next 125 years.

Senvion India bagged a 54.6 MW wind power order from Prozeal Green Private Limited to develop a wind energy project in Gujarat under the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment. The project will feature thirteen wind turbine generators, each with an upgraded capacity of 4.4 MW and a hub height of 140 metres. Senvion India will supply and install the wind turbines and provide operations and maintenance (O&M) services for up to 25 years. The long-term service commitment will support the project’s operational efficiency and reliability.

Advanced Wind Turbine Technology

The project will deploy Senvion’s 4XM platform, equipped with a 160-metre rotor designed to maximise energy generation. The advanced turbine technology aims to improve power output and enhance overall project performance. Senvion has already completed the installation of the first wind turbine, while the overall project execution continues as planned. Following commissioning, the company will monitor the turbines through its FLEETPRO digital platform. The system enables remote diagnostics, real-time performance tracking and preventive maintenance. As reported by renewablewatch.in, it will help improve turbine availability, optimise operations and ensure reliable power generation throughout the project’s lifecycle.

Hikal Limited, a life sciences partner to global pharmaceutical, crop protection, animal health and speciality chemical companies, secured Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification from Swissmedic for its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has issued a Certificate of GMP Compliance of a Manufacturer to the facility. This certification confirms that the Bengaluru unit meets the GMP requirements under the Mutual Recognition Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland.

Strengthening Global Regulatory Compliance

The latest Swissmedic certification builds on successful inspections of Hikal’s Bengaluru facility by Brazil’s ANVISA and Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). Together, these regulatory recognitions strengthen the facility’s compliance credentials and enhance Hikal’s ability to serve customers across major regulated pharmaceutical markets. Furthermore, they support the company’s strategy to expand the geographical reach of its pharmaceutical business while building resilience against geopolitical and international trade uncertainties.

Expanding Opportunities in Regulated Markets

Sameer Hiremath, Chairman and Managing Director of Hikal Limited, said, “The Swissmedic certification is a strong endorsement of the quality systems at our Bengaluru facility. It is an important step in expanding the global reach of our pharmaceutical business and opens new opportunities with customers in Europe and other regulated markets. Quality, compliance and manufacturing excellence remain the foundation of our long-term customer partnerships.” As per the press release, the Swissmedic GMP certification marks another milestone in Hikal’s efforts to strengthen its global pharmaceutical presence. It also reinforces the company’s commitment to maintaining high standards of quality, regulatory compliance and manufacturing excellence.

BASF inaugurated an expansion of its Alkyl Polyglucosides (APGs) production capacity at its manufacturing site in Cincinnati, Ohio, strengthening its production network in the United States. First announced in 2023, the expansion reinforces Cincinnati’s strategic role in BASF’s regional manufacturing operations and strengthens its position as a leading APG supplier in the U.S. market. By increasing production capacity closer to North American customers, BASF aims to ensure a reliable regional supply while offering its extensive APG portfolio and formulation expertise. Additionally, the expansion will help the company respond more effectively to customer requirements and support the development of innovative and sustainable products.

Strengthening Regional Production and Customer Support

Gisela Pinheiro, Senior Vice President, Home Care and Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, BASF, said, “The Cincinnati expansion represents an important step in reinforcing BASF’s leadership in the U.S. APG market. Combining our broad APG portfolio and formulation expertise with expanded regional production allows us to work even more closely with customers. It strengthens our ability to support innovation and sustainability targets across a wide range of applications.”

Bio-Based APGs for Diverse Industrial Applications

BASF markets its Alkyl Polyglucosides under the trade names Glucopon®, Plantaren®, Agnique® PG and Disponil® APG. These products are bio-based, readily biodegradable (according to OECD 301) and mild, non-ionic surfactants manufactured using 100% natural and renewable feedstocks. Moreover, their strong performance and compatibility with other surfactants make them suitable for a wide range of applications.

Key application areas include:

Personal care products

Home care formulations

Industrial and institutional cleaning

Industrial formulations

Agricultural applications

Expanding BASF’s Global APG Manufacturing Network

Beyond Cincinnati, BASF manufactures APGs at facilities in Düsseldorf, Germany; Jinshan, China; and Bangpakong, Thailand. Together, these manufacturing locations strengthen the company’s global production network and enable it to maintain a reliable supply across key markets. As per company press release, with the latest Cincinnati expansion, BASF aims to improve regional supply capabilities, strengthen customer partnerships and support growing demand for bio-based surfactants.

Topsoe, global provider of advanced energy transition solutions for clean and conventional fuels and chemicals, has been selected by HDF Energy as the technology licensor for its BaseBlue project in Texas, the United States. The project aims to supply data centres with reliable, low-carbon electricity by combining hydrogen production with carbon capture technology. Under the agreement, Topsoe will provide the technology licence, process design and basic engineering, proprietary equipment and catalysts for the project’s hydrogen production and CO₂ capture unit. The facility will deploy Topsoe’s proprietary SynCOR™ autothermal reforming technology to produce low-carbon hydrogen.

SynCOR Technology to Enable Low-Carbon Hydrogen Production

The BaseBlue project will use natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas as feedstock to produce low-carbon hydrogen. To minimise carbon emissions, the facility plans to capture more than 95% of the CO₂ generated during hydrogen production. The project is expected to capture approximately 1.1 million metric tonnes of CO₂ annually, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of hydrogen production. Furthermore, HDF Energy plans to generate approximately 250 MW of electricity to meet the growing demand for reliable power from data centres.

Meeting Data Centre Demand with Reliable, Low-Carbon Power

As data centres expand, their electricity requirements are increasing rapidly, placing additional pressure on existing power grids. Against this backdrop, the BaseBlue project aims to provide dependable, low-carbon electricity through onsite power generation. The project will combine natural gas conversion, carbon capture and HDF Energy’s fuel-cell systems to deliver electricity directly to data centres through a behind-the-meter configuration. This approach will help data centre operators access a reliable power supply while reducing associated carbon emissions.

Industry Leaders Highlight the Importance of the Project

Henrik Rasmussen, Managing Director, Americas, Topsoe, said, “HDF Energy’s BaseBlue project represents an important first for Topsoe: Our SynCOR™ technology will be used to produce low-carbon blue hydrogen for a data centre power project. By combining natural gas conversion and carbon capture with HDF Energy’s fuel-cell systems, the project is designed to deliver reliable electricity onsite behind the meter. As demand for data-centre power grows, solutions that pair reliability with lower emissions will become increasingly important. We’re excited to be working with HDF Energy to bring this approach to Texas.”

Thibault Menage, Vice President, US & Caribbean, HDF Energy, said, “Data centres are growing faster than the grid can follow, and their operators need power that is both firm and low-carbon. Most power solutions offer one or the other, BaseBlue Power™ offers both. We chose Topsoe because SynCOR™ integrates carbon capture in a proven and bankable way, at the scale and reliability a power plant demands.”

As per the press release, the BaseBlue project highlights the growing role of low-carbon hydrogen, carbon capture and fuel-cell technologies in meeting the energy requirements of data centres. Through its SynCOR™ technology, Topsoe aims to support the development of reliable, lower-emission power solutions for energy-intensive industries.

AkzoNobel invested $60 million to strengthen its advanced powder coatings manufacturing capabilities across North America. As part of this investment, the company has upgraded production facilities, infrastructure and technologies at three key sites in Reading, Pennsylvania; Warsaw, Indiana; and Monterrey, Mexico. The upgrades aim to enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities, increase regional production capacity and strengthen supply chain resilience. Furthermore, the investment will help AkzoNobel expand local production of advanced powder coating technologies for customers across the automotive, commercial vehicle and industrial sectors. The company also expects the investment to support emerging manufacturing markets, including next-generation mobility, battery systems and energy storage technologies.

Strengthening North American Manufacturing Capabilities

AkzoNobel’s US$60 million investment focuses on improving manufacturing efficiency, expanding production capacity and strengthening its regional supply network. Jeff Jirak, Managing Director of AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings business and member of the company’s Executive Committee, said, “Manufacturing continues to evolve rapidly and our customers expect partners who are investing alongside them. “This investment strengthens our North American manufacturing network, expands our advanced production capabilities and reinforces our long-term commitment to helping customers innovate, improve supply chain resilience and bring high-performance products to market,” Jirak added.

Upgrades Across Three Manufacturing Facilities

The investment has supported significant improvements at all three facilities.

Reading, Pennsylvania: AkzoNobel has continued to transform its Reading facility, which currently manufactures approximately 45% of the company’s North American powder coating batches. The upgrades include three new production lines, advanced bonding technology and automated process controls to improve manufacturing efficiency and production capabilities.

Warsaw, Indiana: The company has increased production capacity at the Warsaw facility by 30%. Additionally, it has expanded its workforce by 10% to support growing manufacturing requirements.

Monterrey, Mexico: AkzoNobel has constructed a new acrylics facility in Monterrey, further strengthening its regional manufacturing infrastructure and production capabilities.

Investing in Workforce Development and Advanced Technologies

Alongside infrastructure and production upgrades, AkzoNobel is strengthening its workforce capabilities through advanced manufacturing training and technical upskilling programmes. These initiatives will equip employees with the skills required to operate next-generation manufacturing technologies and support increasingly sophisticated production processes. As per the press release, through these investments, AkzoNobel aims to improve manufacturing performance, strengthen regional supply chains and meet the evolving requirements of customers across North America’s industrial and mobility markets.

As artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous laboratories and digital twins reshape chemical research, AUTOMA Chem 2026 brings industry leaders together in Berlin on 26–27 October to explore practical strategies for integrating these technologies. The event will showcase real-world implementation insights and examine how digital innovation can accelerate the next era of chemical research and development (R&D).

Overcoming Challenges in Chemical R&D

The chemical industry’s R&D landscape faces a growing challenge. Demand for sustainable materials, circular formulations and faster drug development continues to rise, yet traditional research and development models struggle to keep pace.

Bringing a patented chemical or advanced material to commercial scale can take five to seven years, while R&D costs continue to rise. At the same time, evolving regulations covering emissions, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and circularity are adding new compliance requirements to early-stage development.

Furthermore, fragmented and unstructured R&D data limits the effective use of AI, predictive modelling and collaborative research. Legacy infrastructure, lengthy scale-up cycles and skills shortages add to these challenges, prompting R&D leaders to demand measurable returns on their digital investments.

AI, Autonomous Labs and Digital Twins Drive Innovation

To overcome these barriers, chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and technology providers are moving beyond incremental digitalisation towards integrated, AI-driven R&D workflows.

Autonomous laboratories, generative design and digital twins are increasingly moving from pilot projects into core research operations. These technologies can help researchers accelerate discovery, improve predictive accuracy and reduce risks during scale-up.

However, integrating these solutions across complex R&D pipelines remains challenging. Organisations must address data integrity, regulatory compliance and interoperability while ensuring that digital tools work seamlessly across systems.

Against this backdrop, AUTOMA Chem 2026 will bring together industry leaders, scientists and digital engineers to develop practical approaches to technology integration. Evonik will co-host the event, with WACKER, Covestro, LyondellBasell and Worley serving as regional partners. The programme will emphasise implementation roadmaps, data governance and cross-functional collaboration.

Expert Sessions on Digital Transformation in R&D

A key session within the business programme will examine how digital technologies can shorten discovery cycles, reduce scale-up risks and transform R&D from a cost centre into a driver of business growth.

Industry experts will share insights across several areas of digital chemical research:

Jose Seoane, Technology Advisor at Repsol: Self-driving laboratories for product discovery.

Dr. Dennis Krause, Program Manager Digital R&D at Covestro: AI and simulation for advanced materials.

Dr. Miriam Mathea, Global Scientific Discipline Lead Cheminformatics at BASF: AI-driven cheminformatics automation.

Alexis Torreele, Director, Process & Technology at Worley: Digital tools for technology scale-up.

Dr. Ewa Gajewska, Head of Product Management, SYNTHIA® at Merck: Digital solutions for synthesis and drug discovery.

These sessions will highlight practical approaches to integrating digital technologies into research workflows, improving development efficiency and accelerating the transition from laboratory discoveries to commercial applications.

Accelerating the Future of Chemical R&D

The future of chemical R&D will depend on how effectively organisations scale integrated, data-driven workflows. By combining expert discussions with structured networking and technology matchmaking, AUTOMA Chem 2026 aims to connect R&D leaders with solution providers to align digital strategies, share implementation experience and accelerate time-to-market.

As the industry advances towards more connected and intelligent research environments, the event offers a platform to explore how digital transformation can deliver measurable improvements in innovation and operational performance. Join the transformation: https://sh.bgs.group/4fi