Padmanabh Sinha

Pune-headquartered tier 1 supplier Varroc has appointed Padmanabh Sinha as an Independent Director on its Board of Directors, effective 18 July.

He brings over two decades of experience in the Indian investment ecosystem across private equity and technology entrepreneurship space. Sinha has held various positions in domestic and global investment institutions such as National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), Temasek and Tata Opportunities Fund, among others, with deep expertise in capital allocation, investment stewardship and value creation across cycles.

Sinha holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science (Hons) from BITS Pilani, an MBA from IIM Calcutta, and has completed the Executive Development Program in Private Equity at Harvard Business School.

Tarang Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Varroc, said, “We are delighted to welcome Padmanabh Sinha back to our Board. His broad-based experience and strategic perspective will be a valuable addition to Varroc as we accelerate our transformation and growth journey.”

Padmanabh Sinha said, “It is an honour to join the Board of Varroc. I look forward to contributing to Varroc’s journey of innovation, sustainable growth, and global competitiveness.”

At present, Sinha serves as the Managing Partner and Co-founder of LaunchBay Capital, a recently established growth-stage private equity platform focused on mid-market, India-headquartered businesses across the Consumer, Healthcare, Industrials, Financial Services and Technology sectors.

Sona Comstar Reports 39% Revenue Growth In Q3 FY2026

Sona Comstar

Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has announced its financial results for Q3 FY2026, reported revenue of INR 12.09 billion, a 39 percent increase YoY.

The company’s EBITDA grew by 25 percent to INR 3.2 billion with a margin of 25.2 percent, while net profit rose by 20 percent to INR 1.8 billion. Revenue from Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) represented 38 percent of total turnover.

In the first 9-months of FY2026, the company secured six new programmes, bringing the total to 65 across 33 different customers. Additionally, Sona Comstar was awarded a programme from a new customer to supply hydraulic motor controller.

Vivek Vikram Singh, MD & Group CEO, Sona Comstar, said, “We achieved our highest-ever quarterly revenue, EBITDA, and adjusted net profit in Q3 FY2026. Our revenue grew strongly by 39 percent YoY, primarily driven by the expansion of our electric vehicle traction motor and railway business in India. BEV revenue share improved meaningfully to 38 percent in Q3 from 32 percent in Q2FY2026 and represents our second-best quarter till date in terms of absolute BEV revenue and share. We have commercialised a new product in this quarter, the hydraulic motor controller, leveraging our strengths in motors and controllers to develop the solution for a new application outside the current product portfolio. We continue to add new EV customers and win new EV programs from our existing EV customers. Moreover, we commenced sample production of in-cabin radar sensors in our new SMT line at Chennai facility in this quarter, making us one of the few automotive radar manufacturers in India with local SMT manufacturing capability.”

Valeo Secures Major Interior Lighting Contract Using IMSE Technology

Valeo - TactoTek

Valeo has received a contract from a global automaker to produce interior lighting systems using In-Mold Structural Electronics (IMSE) technology. The programme utilises solutions from TactoTek to integrate lighting and electronics into a single structure. This award brings Valeo’s total order intake for interior lighting to nearly EUR 1 billion since 2024, a figure that includes light lines, pixelated solutions and smart surfaces.

The project focuses on interior structures where electronics are embedded directly into finished parts. This method produces a flush surface and creates a structure that is thinner and lighter than traditional assemblies. The design reduces material usage and energy consumption while increasing the durability of the components. To support the contract, Valeo has commissioned an automated production line designed for the high-volume manufacturing of these integrated systems.

The collaboration with TactoTek provides the foundation for scaling smart surfaces into large-scale production. By replacing multi-part assemblies with unified structures, Valeo aims to meet industry demand for interiors that combine design and functionality. The new production line is intended to optimise processes for the industrialisation of IMSE-based solutions, which the companies claim offers cost competitiveness and flexibility for future design changes.

Maurizio Martinelli, CEO - Light Division, Valeo, said, “This award sets a new benchmark for next generation interior solutions. Valeo’s lighting expertise and industrial capabilities, combined with IMSE technology, are enabling us to bring highly advanced, smart interior systems into large-scale production. It also reflects our commitment to shaping the future of mobility in a way that brings lasting value to customers globally.”

Jussi Harvela, CEO, TactoTek, added, “Our cooperation with Valeo and the commissioning of a dedicated new production line mark an important milestone in the large-scale industrial adoption of IMSE technology, whose cost competitiveness and ability to support future design evolution were decisive factors in securing the award. This collaboration demonstrates how our vision for smart surfaces transforms into a scalable solution that serves leading automotive manufacturers.”

The integration of electronics into structural parts is a direction for the automotive sector as manufacturers seek to reduce vehicle weight and simplify interior architectures.

Tenneco Clean Air India Launches ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ In Pune

Tenneco Clean Air India Launches ‘Vriksharopan Abhiyan’ In Pune

A large-scale tree planting effort, Vriksharopan Abhiyan, has been inaugurated at the Jat Regiment premises in Pune’s Lullanagar. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Tenneco Clean Air India, the 15th Battalion of the Jat Regiment and the Vaghmi Foundation. The project involves planting 5,000 saplings with a dedicated 18-month maintenance plan to promote their long-term survival and growth.

Demonstrating a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, the launch saw participation from leadership and personnel across all three partner organisations. To ensure accountability, every sapling will be individually tagged and documented, allowing the Vaghmi Foundation to conduct systematic monitoring and quarterly survival reports. Tenneco and Foundation employees will further support the project through periodic site visits, fostering ongoing environmental responsibility.

As an integral part of the global Tenneco Group, Tenneco Clean Air India combines advanced engineering and manufacturing expertise to supply critical automotive systems within India. The company remains dedicated to responsible operations, with this plantation drive reflecting its broader focus on sustainability and community partnership.

Rishi Verma, President, Tenneco India, said, “The Vriksharopan Abhiyan is a meaningful step in Tenneco’s larger ambition to contribute to India’s environmental priorities. Our focus is on nurturing long-term green cover through structured care, protection and scientific monitoring. Through this collaborative effort, we aim to create healthier, more resilient ecosystems that benefit the community for years to come.”

Mativ Holdings Announces Equity Investment In Miru Smart Technologies

Mativ - Miru Smart Technologies

Mativ Holdings, Inc. has announced an equity investment in Miru Smart Technologies to advance the commercial production of electrochromic window technology. The investment strengthens a partnership established in 2024, focusing on technical validation and readiness for vehicle platforms.

Based in Georgia, Mativ operates across two segments: Filtration & Advanced Materials and Sustainable & Adhesive Solutions, with manufacturing facilities on three continents.

The collaboration utilises Mativ’s Argotec polymer films within Miru’s manufacturing process. Since the start of their joint development, the companies have produced a compound-curved electrochromic sunroof measuring 1.5 m by 1.6 m and fulfilled purchase orders from glass manufacturers in 2025. The current agreement aligns Miru’s 2028 objective of deploying 10 million square feet of windows with Mativ’s extrusion capacity.

The partnership integrates TPU-based films into a patented process to meet automotive performance standards and solar heat control requirements. According to the companies, the technology provides a neutral tint and clarity that can increase the range of electric vehicles by up to 10 percent.

The infrastructure is being optimised to support volume manufacturing for the automotive and architectural sectors. The solutions have previously been presented at industry events including Glasstec 2024 and Glass Performance Days 2025.

Shruti Singhal, President and CEO, Mativ, said, “Mativ pioneers engineered materials designed to tackle the world’s most complex challenges through innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability. Building on our strong 2025 performance, this investment underscores our confidence in Miru’s technology and our shared goal to establish eWindows, integrated with Argotec technology, as the global standard for energy-efficient glazing.”

Curtis Berlinguette, Founder and CEO, Miru, said, “Miru’s growth reflects the work of translating breakthrough technology into a production-ready vehicle platform. This progress has been shaped by close collaboration with our partners, and Mativ has played an important role in that journey. With this investment, we strengthen our manufacturing capabilities and supply chain to bring the next generation of smart windows to market.”