The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has licensed three indigenously developed biomedical technologies to leading Indian pharmaceutical and vaccine manufacturers for development, manufacturing and commercialisation. The move marks a significant step in translating publicly funded research into affordable healthcare solutions while strengthening India’s biomedical innovation ecosystem. Under the licensing agreements, Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Biological E Ltd. will develop and commercialise these next-generation cancer therapeutics and vaccine technologies, reinforcing the country’s commitment to indigenous healthcare innovation.

ICMR Transfers Indigenous Biomedical Technologies

The technology transfer aims to accelerate the journey of laboratory research into commercially available healthcare products. By partnering with domestic pharmaceutical companies, ICMR seeks to make advanced therapies and vaccines more accessible while promoting self-reliance in biomedical research and manufacturing. The licensed technologies include SHetA2, a novel
anti-human papillomavirus (HPV) therapeutic candidate for treating Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN), licensed to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd., two next-generation vaccine technologies targeting enteric bacterial infections, developed by ICMR–National Institute of Research in Bacterial Infections (ICMR-NIRBI), Kolkata, and licensed to Biological E Ltd.

SHetA2 Offers a New Hope for Cervical Cancer Prevention

Among the licensed technologies, SHetA2 stands out as a first-in-class targeted therapeutic candidate designed to treat HPV-induced precancerous cervical lesions. The technology was jointly developed by Dr. Showket Hussain of ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA. Unlike conventional therapies, SHetA2 selectively destroys HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while preserving healthy tissues. Consequently, it has the potential to become a safe, affordable and minimally invasive treatment option for women at risk of developing cervical cancer.

Next-Generation Vaccines Target Major Enteric Infections

In addition to the cancer therapeutic, ICMR licensed two innovative vaccine technologies developed by researchers at ICMR-NIRBI, Kolkata. One technology features a fusion construct containing the Salmonella typhi outer membrane protein, making it a promising candidate for a next-generation typhoid vaccine. The second technology is a recombinant vaccine composition designed to provide broad protection against Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella infections. By targeting multiple enteric bacterial pathogens, the vaccine could significantly improve protection against common gastrointestinal infections.

Strengthening India’s Indigenous Healthcare Innovation

These technology transfers highlight ICMR’s continued focus on fostering industry-academia collaboration and accelerating the commercialisation of indigenous biomedical innovations. Moreover, the partnerships with Emcure Pharmaceuticals and Biological E are expected to speed up product development, regulatory approvals and large-scale manufacturing, enabling faster access to innovative therapies and vaccines.

Boosting India’s Biomedical Ecosystem

The licensing of these three indigenous technologies represents another milestone in India’s efforts to build a robust biomedical innovation ecosystem. By combining scientific research with industry expertise, the initiative supports the development of affordable next-generation cancer therapeutics and vaccines while reducing dependence on imported technologies. As reported by sambadenglish.com, as India continues to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure, such collaborations are expected to play a crucial role in advancing cancer prevention, infectious disease control and the country’s vision of becoming a global hub for biomedical innovation.

India emerged as the world’s most active buyer of long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts in 2025, signing agreements for 8.4 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG import capacity. According to the International Group of Liquefied Natural Gas Importers (GIIGNL), the country’s aggressive procurement strategy reflects its growing natural gas demand and long-term energy security ambitions.

Global LNG Contracting Reaches Record Levels

GIIGNL’s 2026 Annual Report highlighted that 2025 was an exceptionally strong year for LNG contracting. During the year, buyers and suppliers signed 83 long-term Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPAs), nearly double the 47 agreements recorded in 2024. Moreover, disclosed contract volumes reached 71.6 MTPA across 76 agreements, representing an increase of around 30% compared with the previous year. According to the report, three key factors drove this surge rising global LNG demand, strategic portfolio management by buyers and long-term procurement to secure future energy supplies.

India Tops Global LNG Buyers

Among all importing nations, India secured the highest volume of long-term LNG contracts in 2025. GIIGNL stated that six Indian companies collectively contracted 8.4 MTPA, underlining a coordinated effort to expand the country’s long-term LNG import capacity.

The contracted volumes include:

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC): 4.7 MTPA

GAIL (India): 1.0 MTPA

Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC): 1.0 MTPA

Torrent Power: 0.69 MTPA

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL): 0.5 MTPA

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL): Undisclosed volume

GIIGNL noted that these agreements reflect India’s strategy to secure reliable LNG supplies as domestic natural gas consumption continues to grow.

Short-Term LNG Deals Also Increase

Besides long-term contracts, short-term LNG procurement also gained momentum during 2025. The number of short-term SPAs increased from seven in 2024 to thirteen in 2025. However, Heads of Agreement (HOAs) declined from 21 to 12, indicating that many preliminary negotiations progressed into binding long-term contracts. According to GIIGNL, this trend demonstrates growing confidence among buyers and sellers as new liquefaction projects move closer to final investment decisions (FID).

Middle East Tensions Pose Supply Risks

Despite strong contracting activity, GIIGNL warned that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to threaten global LNG supplies. The report pointed to attacks affecting Qatar’s Ras Laffan liquefaction terminal and one train of the Pearl Gas-to-Liquids (GTL) plant, warning that disruptions at these facilities could have significant implications for international LNG markets. Ras Laffan forms the backbone of Qatar’s LNG export infrastructure. Since the Pearl GTL complex is integrated with the same gas production network, any operational disruption could reduce LNG availability beyond the immediate production loss.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Critical Chokepoint

GIIGNL also identified the Strait of Hormuz as a major strategic risk. Approximately 20% of global LNG shipments from Qatar and the UAE pass through this narrow shipping route. Consequently, any disruption could significantly affect Asian LNG importers.

Asia to Drive Future LNG Demand

As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, looking ahead, GIIGNL expects Asia to remain the primary driver of global LNG demand. Between 2025 and 2030, contracted LNG volumes across Asia are projected to increase by approximately 50 MTPA. China alone will account for nearly 40 MTPA of this growth, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest LNG growth market.

Koch Ag & Energy Solutions (Koch) and OCP Nutricrops S.A. (OCP) signed an agreement to establish a new 50:50 joint venture aimed at expanding phosphate fertilizer production and strengthening global supply chains. Under the agreement, Koch will acquire a 50% stake in Jorf Fertilizers Company I (JFC I) from OCP. Upon completion of the transaction, the two companies will jointly own and operate the fertilizer production facility located in Jorf Lasfar, Morocco, one of the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer hubs. The partnership marks another milestone in the companies’ long-standing collaboration and reinforces their commitment to supporting global agriculture with reliable phosphate-based plant nutrition solutions.

Building on a Successful Partnership

The new agreement builds on the strategic relationship established in 2022, when Koch acquired a 50% interest in Jorf Fertilizers Company III, later renamed Kofert. With the addition of JFC I, Koch and OCP will significantly expand their joint manufacturing footprint within the Jorf Fertilizer Complex, the world’s largest phosphate fertilizer production platform.

Production Capacity to Reach 2.5 Million Metric Tons

JFC I operates a state-of-the-art phosphate fertilizer production facility with an annual capacity of 1.2 million metric tons of phosphate-based fertilizers. Following the completion of the transaction, the two joint ventures—JFC I and Kofert—will have a combined annual production capacity of approximately 2.5 million metric tonnes. This expanded capacity will enable the partners to serve customers across global markets, including North America, while ensuring a stable and diversified supply of phosphate fertilizers.

Strengthening Fertilizer Supply for Global Agriculture

The joint venture comes at a critical time as farmers worldwide seek greater supply reliability and diversified sources of phosphate fertilizers. In particular, the collaboration is expected to benefit the North American agricultural sector by improving access to high-quality phosphate-based plant nutrition products that are essential for enhancing soil health, improving crop productivity, supporting sustainable farming practices and strengthening agricultural supply chains. By expanding production capacity and supply capabilities, Koch and OCP aim to help build more resilient agricultural value chains and support long-term global food security.

U.S. Policy Creates New Market Opportunities

The companies also noted that the U.S. administration’s recent decision to temporarily suspend countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer imports creates new opportunities for the joint venture. The policy change is expected to facilitate greater access to Moroccan phosphate fertilizers for U.S. farmers, enabling the venture to provide reliable and competitive plant nutrition solutions to the North American market.

Leadership Reaffirms Long-Term Commitment

Scott McGinn, President of Koch Fertilizer, said the investment builds upon the success of the Kofert joint venture and further strengthens Koch’s long-standing relationship with OCP. He added that the expanded partnership will enhance Koch Fertilizer’s phosphate product portfolio while creating greater value for customers worldwide. Faris Derrij, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of OCP Nutricrops, described the agreement as an important milestone in the companies’ strategic partnership. He noted that the new joint venture will strengthen the partners’ ability to deliver reliable, high-quality soil nutrition solutions to farmers and agricultural customers, particularly across North America, while contributing to more resilient agricultural value chains and long-term food security.

Expanding Global Leadership in Phosphate Fertilizers

The new joint venture underscores Koch Ag & Energy Solutions and OCP Nutricrops’ shared commitment to expanding global phosphate fertilizer production and improving supply chain resilience. As per the press release, by combining world-class manufacturing capabilities with strong market expertise, the partnership is well positioned to meet the growing demand for phosphate-based fertilizers while supporting sustainable agriculture, enhanced crop yields and global food security.

Linde plc, a global leader in industrial gases and engineering, has secured a place in the FTSE4Good Index Series for the 11^th consecutive year, reaffirming its strong commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) excellence and sustainable business practices. The continued recognition highlights Linde’s consistent progress in sustainability, climate action and responsible corporate governance while supporting customers in achieving their decarbonisation goals.

Recognition Reflects Strong ESG Performance

The FTSE4Good Index Series, developed by global index provider FTSE Russell, evaluates companies based on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Linde’s inclusion for the eleventh consecutive year reflects its sustained performance across key areas, including corporate governance, climate change management, health and safety, anti-corruption practices and social responsibility and community engagement. The index is widely used by investors to identify companies that demonstrate robust ESG performance and responsible business practices.

Sustainability Remains Central to Linde’s Strategy

Erin Catapano, Vice President – Sustainability at Linde, said sustainability is integrated into every aspect of the company’s operations. She noted that Linde continues to improve operational efficiency while helping customers reduce carbon emissions through innovative industrial gas solutions. She also emphasised that the company’s consistent inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series reflects the dedication of its global workforce in achieving long-term sustainability targets.

Linde Advances Industrial Decarbonisation

Linde continues to play a significant role in supporting industrial decarbonisation through advanced technologies and low-carbon solutions. The company’s climate commitments include achieving a science-based absolute greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target by 2035 and reaching climate neutrality by 2050. These long-term goals align with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Customer Solutions Deliver Significant Carbon Reductions

In 2025, Linde enabled its customers to avoid approximately 98 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) through its products, technologies and services. Notably, the emissions avoided by customers were more than twice the greenhouse gas emissions generated by Linde’s global operations, underscoring the company’s significant contribution to large-scale industrial decarbonisation. By helping customers lower their carbon footprint, Linde continues to strengthen its position as a key technology partner in the global energy transition.

FTSE4Good Index Recognises Responsible Businesses

The FTSE4Good Index Series measures the performance of companies that demonstrate strong ESG credentials and sustainable business practices. FTSE Russell assesses participating companies using rigorous criteria covering environmental stewardship, governance standards and social responsibility. The indexes are widely used by investors, asset managers and financial institutions to develop and evaluate responsible investment portfolios. Companies included in the FTSE4Good Index Series meet stringent ESG standards, making the recognition an important benchmark for corporate sustainability performance.

Driving Sustainable Growth

Linde’s 11th consecutive inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series reinforces its leadership in sustainable industrial operations and responsible business management. As reported by markets.ft.com, by combining ambitious climate targets, strong governance practices and innovative decarbonisation solutions, the company continues to create long-term value for customers, investors and communities while contributing to global climate action and sustainable industrial development.

Advait Battery Ecosystems, a subsidiary of Advait Energy Transitions, entered into a strategic partnership with Adaptive Engineering to establish, develop, and commercialise an integrated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) manufacturing and solutions platform in India. The collaboration aims to combine advanced manufacturing, engineering, system integration, and lifecycle optimisation capabilities to address the rapidly growing demand for utility-scale and commercial & industrial (C&I) energy storage solutions across the country.

Building an End-to-End BESS Ecosystem

Unlike conventional manufacturing partnerships, the collaboration seeks to create a comprehensive end-to-end BESS platform covering the entire energy storage value chain. The integrated platform will include battery cell integration, cell-to-rack assembly, system engineering, Energy Management Systems (EMS), system integration, power conversion infrastructure and long-term lifecycle optimisation. By integrating these capabilities under a single platform, the companies aim to deliver reliable, scalable, and high-performance energy storage solutions for India’s expanding renewable energy sector.

Advait to Lead Manufacturing and Infrastructure Development

Advait Battery Ecosystems will take responsibility for manufacturing infrastructure, capital investment, commercial operations, and business development. The manufacturing facility is scheduled to be commissioned by November 2026. While Advait focuses on manufacturing and commercial development, Adaptive Engineering will lead the technology and engineering aspects of the partnership.

Supporting India’s Energy Storage Growth

As India accelerates the deployment of renewable energy and grid-scale storage, demand for integrated Battery Energy Storage Systems continues to grow rapidly. As reported by pv-magazine-india.com, through this strategic partnership, Advait Battery Ecosystems and Adaptive Engineering are building a comprehensive cell-to-system BESS manufacturing platform capable of supporting utility-scale and commercial energy storage projects while contributing to India’s clean energy transition and energy security.

India has taken another significant step towards strengthening its advanced biofuel ecosystem with the launch of the Grand Butanol Challenge. The nationwide initiative aims to accelerate indigenous bio-butanol production, promote deep-tech innovation, and support startups developing next-generation biofuel technologies. Launched by the MC² Foundation under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), the programme is backed by seven leading public sector energy companies and offers financial support of up to ₹12.5 crore to accelerate technology development and commercialisation.

Initiative to Strengthen India’s Biofuel Ecosystem

The Grand Butanol Challenge is designed to encourage innovation in sustainable butanol production while reducing India’s dependence on conventional fossil fuels. Through financial assistance, mentorship, pilot deployment opportunities, and commercialisation support, the initiative seeks to develop home-grown technologies that contribute to the country’s energy security, decarbonisation, and net-zero ambitions.

Seven Energy PSUs Back the Initiative

The challenge is supported by seven major public sector enterprises (PSUs) from India’s energy sector:

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)

GAIL (India) Limited

Oil India Limited

Petronet LNG Limited

Their collective support highlights the industry’s commitment to accelerating the development of advanced biofuels and fostering innovation across India’s clean energy landscape.

₹12.5 Crore Funding to Accelerate Innovation

The Grand Butanol Challenge offers a total financial package of up to ₹12.5 crore to support promising technologies. The programme is open to startups, researchers, academic institutions, innovators, and technology developers working on advanced butanol production technologies. Applications for the challenge will remain open until August 15, 2026.

Focus on Three Advanced Butanol Production Technologies

The initiative has identified three key technology areas for innovation:

Fermentation-based production of n-Butanol and Iso-Butanol

Catalytic production technologies for butanol

Other innovative and sustainable production pathways for bio-butanol

By supporting multiple technology routes, the programme aims to accelerate the development of commercially viable and environmentally sustainable biofuel solutions.

Supporting Technologies Ready for Commercial Scale-Up

The challenge targets innovations at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to TRL 7, focusing on technologies that have moved beyond laboratory research and are ready for pilot-scale validation and commercial deployment.

Priority technology areas include:

Microbial production of butanol using non-food biomass feedstocks

Low-energy butanol separation technologies

Bio-derived cetane improvers

Field-deployable fuel quality control systems

Advanced fermentation technologies

These innovations are expected to improve production efficiency, reduce manufacturing costs, and support the large-scale adoption of advanced biofuels across India.

C-CAMP to Provide Technical Mentorship

To strengthen the innovation ecosystem, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has joined the initiative as its implementation and mentorship partner. C-CAMP will provide technical guidance, connect innovators with India’s biotechnology ecosystem, and help accelerate the commercialisation of promising technologies through industry collaboration and expert mentoring.

The Grand Butanol Challenge represents a major milestone in India’s efforts to develop indigenous advanced biofuel technologies. By bringing together government support, leading energy PSUs, research institutions, and startups, the initiative aims to accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, and reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, as India continues its transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources, the programme is expected to play a vital role in expanding the country’s biofuel ecosystem while supporting its long-term energy security, carbon reduction, and net-zero objectives.

VA Tech Wabag bagged a contract from the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to develop advanced wastewater treatment facilities that will significantly strengthen Bengaluru’s water management infrastructure. The project underscores Wabag’s continued work in sustainable water and wastewater treatment while supporting the city’s growing demand for efficient sewage treatment and water reuse.

Major Wastewater Treatment Facilities Planned

Under the contract, VA Tech Wabag will undertake the design, build, and operate (DBO) of multiple wastewater treatment facilities, including:

A 100 MLD (Million Litres per Day) Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Byramangala

A 25 MLD Tertiary Treatment Plant (TTP) at Byramangala

A 60 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at Bellandur

These projects will enhance Bengaluru’s wastewater treatment capacity while improving environmental sustainability and water resource management.

Second Phase of Bellandur Project

The latest order also marks VA Tech Wabag’s participation in the second phase of the Bellandur wastewater treatment project, following the successful execution of the first phase. The continued partnership reflects BWSSB’s confidence in the company’s engineering expertise and its proven track record in delivering large-scale water infrastructure projects.

Advanced Treatment Technologies to Improve Water Quality

The project scope includes comprehensive design, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of state-of-the-art treatment facilities. The sewage treatment plants will utilise the Activated Sludge Process (ASP) integrated with a Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) system to achieve efficient wastewater treatment and improved effluent quality. Meanwhile, the tertiary treatment plant will employ ultrafiltration (UF) technology to produce high-quality treated water suitable for safe discharge into nearby water bodies, supporting environmental protection and sustainable water reuse.

Biogas-Based Power Generation to Enhance Sustainability

In addition to wastewater treatment, the project incorporates biogas-based captive power generation, enabling the treatment plants to improve energy efficiency while reducing operational costs and carbon emissions. The integrated approach supports BWSSB’s objective of developing environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater infrastructure. VA Tech Wabag is expected to complete the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) phase of the project within 36 months. As reported by projectstoday.ai, following project completion, the company will operate and maintain the facilities for seven years, ensuring reliable plant performance and long-term operational efficiency.

India’s chemical industry is entering a transformative phase, driven by rising domestic demand, strategic investments, and supportive government policies. After facing several years of weak global demand, pricing pressure, and intense competition from Chinese manufacturers, the sector is now witnessing renewed momentum.

Valued at $220–250 billion, India’s chemical industry is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, positioning the country among the world’s leading chemical manufacturing hubs. Moreover, the industry continues to play a vital role in supporting key sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, automotive, electronics, and renewable energy, while strengthening India’s position as a preferred global supply chain alternative to China.

Industry Rebounds on Strong Domestic Demand

The Indian chemical sector has begun FY2025-26 on a positive note, supported by growing domestic consumption, expanding manufacturing capacity, and increasing investments in specialty chemicals, advanced materials, and performance chemicals. At the same time, government initiatives aimed at promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing import dependence have further accelerated industry growth. As a result, companies are increasingly investing in value-added products and expanding their production capabilities to meet both domestic and international demand.

Specialty Chemicals Lead the Next Growth Phase

While global commodity chemicals continue to face oversupply and pricing challenges, India’s specialty chemicals segment is emerging as one of the industry’s strongest growth drivers. Manufacturers are shifting their focus toward high-value specialty chemicals, performance materials, downstream integration, selective capacity expansion and advanced chemical technologies. This strategic shift is enabling companies to improve profitability, reduce exposure to commodity price cycles, and serve rapidly growing end-user industries.

Government Policies Strengthen Industry Competitiveness

Government support continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of India’s chemical sector. Several initiatives are helping improve the industry’s long-term competitiveness, including development of dedicated chemical parks, stronger quality control standards, support for rare earth materials, promotion of green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing and incentives for advanced materials and specialty chemicals. Collectively, these measures are aligning India’s chemical industry with evolving global environmental, safety, and quality standards while encouraging greater investment and innovation.

Industry Faces Key Challenges

Despite the positive outlook, several structural challenges continue to affect the sector. One of the biggest concerns remains the persistent oversupply of chemicals from China, which continues to put pressure on global prices and profit margins. Additionally, Indian manufacturers remain dependent on imported feedstocks. Furthermore, increasingly stringent environmental regulations in both domestic and export markets are raising compliance costs. Although infrastructure has improved significantly, logistics efficiency and manufacturing costs still lag behind several global competitors.

Digital Transformation and Sustainability Become Strategic Priorities

As the global chemical industry evolves, digitalisation and sustainability have become essential growth drivers rather than optional investments. Companies are increasingly adopting digital manufacturing technologies, automation and smart production systems, sustainable manufacturing processes, energy-efficient operations and circular economy practices. These initiatives not only improve operational efficiency but also strengthen competitiveness in global markets where customers increasingly prioritise environmental performance and regulatory compliance.

Opportunity in the Global Supply Chain

The ongoing diversification of global supply chains presents a significant opportunity for India’s chemical industry. As multinational companies seek alternatives to China, India is well positioned to emerge as a reliable manufacturing and sourcing destination. However, capitalising on this opportunity will require continued investments in quality, innovation, production capacity, and technological advancement. As reported by breakthroughgroup.com, manufacturers that successfully combine cost competitiveness with high-quality products and reliable supply capabilities are expected to capture a larger share of global chemical exports.

Indovinya, the specialty chemicals and surfactants business of Indorama Ventures, signed a strategic agreement with Air Liquide, a global leader in industrial and healthcare gases, technologies, and services, to source renewable oxygen for its manufacturing operations. The partnership marks a significant step in Indovinya’s sustainability journey by increasing the use of renewable raw materials in the production of ethylene oxide, one of the company’s key chemical products. As a result, the initiative supports the company’s decarbonisation strategy while expanding its portfolio of lower-carbon chemical solutions.

Renewable Oxygen to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Under the agreement, Indovinya will integrate renewable oxygen into its ethylene oxide production process. This transition is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of selected products by up to 15%, creating measurable environmental benefits across the company’s value chain. The initiative strengthens Indovinya’s position as a leading provider of sustainable specialty chemicals while helping customers meet their own environmental and climate goals.

Strengthening Sustainable Chemical Manufacturing

The renewable oxygen agreement forms an integral part of Indovinya’s global sustainability strategy, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the production of environmentally responsible chemical solutions. By lowering emissions from one of its core manufacturing processes, the company aims to deliver products with a reduced environmental impact without compromising quality or performance. In addition, the collaboration enables customers to adopt more sustainable raw materials as industries increasingly seek lower-carbon alternatives.

Supporting Long-Term Sustainability Goals

The partnership also advances Indovinya’s broader commitment to developing low-carbon technologies and sustainable products. In 2025, the company exceeded its sustainability target by generating 20.5% of its total revenue from sustainable products, surpassing its original goal of 15%. Building on this momentum, Indovinya expects the agreement with Air Liquide to support future sustainability objectives, including its goal of ensuring that 50% of all new products are assessed as sustainable in the coming years.

Executive Perspective

John Smith, Chief Delivery Officer (CDO) at Indovinya, said, “This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Indovinya as we continue to embed sustainability into our value chain. The use of renewable oxygen in production allows us to meaningfully lower emissions from essential raw materials and supports our broader strategy to offer lower-carbon solutions to our customers.”

Sustainability Roadmap Towards 2030 and 2050

Indovinya has established ambitious sustainability targets for 2030 and 2050, built around four strategic pillars:

Respect for the Planet

Care for People

Integrity and Governance

Sustainable Solutions

As part of this roadmap, the company plans to:

Reduce the intensity of Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30%

Cut absolute Scope 3.1 emissions by 15%

Lower water withdrawal intensity over the next five years

Expand its portfolio of sustainable and low-carbon chemical products

Advancing Low-Carbon Innovation

The renewable oxygen supply agreement reinforces Indovinya’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and innovation. As per the press release, by collaborating with Air Liquide, the company is accelerating its transition towards low-carbon chemical production while supporting customers with environmentally responsible solutions that align with global sustainability expectations.

Pace Digitek Limited strengthened its commitment to India’s clean energy ecosystem by establishing a dedicated Pace-Lineage Research Center in Pune, Maharashtra, through its material subsidiary Lineage Power Private Limited (LPPL). The new research and development (R&D) facility will focus on advancing Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) technologies and next-generation battery energy storage solutions (BESS). The initiative reinforces the company’s long-term strategy of expanding its research, engineering, and product development capabilities while supporting India’s growing energy storage industry.

New R&D Centre to Drive Battery Innovation

The newly established Pace-Lineage Research Center has been designed to accelerate innovation in advanced battery technologies. It will serve as a dedicated hub for research, engineering, product development, testing, and validation of energy storage solutions. By bringing together scientific research and industrial expertise, the centre aims to develop high-performance battery technologies that improve efficiency, reliability, and sustainability.

Strategic Collaboration with IISER Pune

As part of the initiative, Lineage Power has signed a research collaboration agreement with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. The partnership will focus on developing advanced battery materials for both lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) batteries. Moreover, the research programme seeks to improve battery capacity, enhance cycling stability, and develop more efficient battery chemistries suitable for future energy storage applications. The collaboration also aligns with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by promoting indigenous technology development and reducing dependence on imported battery technologies.

Research Areas to Strengthen Battery Performance

The Pace-Lineage Research Center will undertake extensive research across several critical areas of battery technology. Its key focus areas include optimisation of battery material coatings, improvement of material microstructure and porosity, development of advanced electrolyte formulations, detailed material characterisation and electrochemical performance evaluation. In addition, the centre will evaluate and validate raw materials sourced from domestic suppliers. This approach is expected to strengthen India’s local battery supply chain while encouraging the adoption of indigenous technologies.

Supporting Indigenous Technology Development

The launch of the research centre comes at a time when India’s battery energy storage sector is expanding at an unprecedented pace. According to the company, the new R&D facility reflects its long-term vision of building strong in-house research capabilities in Advanced Chemistry Cell technologies and advanced battery systems. The company believes the centre will accelerate technology development, strengthen engineering expertise, and drive innovation across the entire energy storage value chain. Additionally, it will complement Lineage Power’s existing manufacturing, engineering, EPC, and project execution capabilities.

Management Commentary

Venugopal Rao Maddisetty, Chairman and Managing Director, Pace Digitek Limited, said, “Technology and innovation will play a defining role in the future of energy storage. The establishment of our dedicated R&D Center marks an important step in strengthening our research and engineering capabilities. Our collaboration with IISER Pune brings together scientific research and industry expertise to advance battery materials and support indigenous technology development.”

Strengthening India’s Energy Future

Pace Digitek operates across two major business segments—Energy and Telecom & ICT—covering manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC), and Operations & Maintenance (O&M). Through Lineage Power, the company manufactures and supplies Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), telecom power systems, and a wide range of energy infrastructure products. As reported by businessoutreach.in, the new research centre is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating innovation and supporting India’s transition towards a self-reliant and sustainable energy storage ecosystem.