German tier 1 supplier ZF Group has secured a significant contract to supply its 430mm heavy-duty clutch systems to one of India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

The clutch systems, the company shared, is custom-engineered and manufactured locally, specifically adapted to meet the rigorous demands of Indian operating conditions and will power the OEM's higher horsepower engine platforms for both domestic and select export models.

The agreement, signed in May 2025, involves the supply of several thousand units, with the Start of Production (SOP) scheduled for mid-2026. The clutches will be produced at ZF's Chakan plant in Pune, reinforcing the Group's strategy to strengthen its regional manufacturing capabilities and commitment to localisation in India.

The new clutch system is designed for robust performance and features advanced lining materials that promise up to 20 percent longer clutch life, aiming to reduce maintenance costs and optimise the total cost of ownership for fleet operators. It is also designed to be compatible with both Manual Transmission (MT) and Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) systems.

Akash Passey, President - Region India, ZF Group, said, “ZF’s strategic focus on localisation and innovation for the Indian market, is reconfirmed with this business win. With our globally proven technological expertise and leveraging the strong local manufacturing footprint in India, our customers can access advanced technologies that meet global standards while being tailored for their markets. This win highlights our commitment to strengthening India’s role as a key hub in ZF’s commercial vehicles business.”

Paramjit Singh Chadha, Senior Vice President - CVS Division (India), ZF Group, said, “This business win is a strong endorsement of our advanced heavy-duty clutch technology which perfectly addresses the demanding operating conditions in India. This 430mm clutch system offers superior durability, optimised performance and compatibility with future-ready driveline architectures, including AMT. By localising production at our Chakan facility, we reinforce our commitment to the ‘Make in India’ vision and supporting our customers’ growth ambitions for both domestic and export markets.”

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French automotive component supplier OPmobility is accelerating its growth in India, with the strategic goal of more than doubling its sales by 2030.

The Group recently inaugurated its new facility Badhalwadi, Maharashtra and has commenced construction of another plant in Kharkhoda, Haryana. It already operates five plants in the country, is strengthening both its production footprint and its engineering and digital capabilities.

OPmobility is structured into four complementary business groups: exterior and lighting systems, complex modules, energy storage systems and battery and hydrogen electrification solutions, allowing it to offer a comprehensive range of mobility solutions. The company is a significant global player, reporting an economic revenue of EUR 11.6 billion in 2024. To meet the challenges of sustainable mobility, OPmobility relies on its 38,900 employees operating across a vast network of 150 plants and 40 R&D centres worldwide.

The Badhalwadi site is OPmobility’s first in India to integrate production capacities for both exterior systems and energy storage systems in one location. Furthermore, the facility is equipped with solar panels that supply 35 percent of its energy needs and predominantly employs women.

The Kharkhoda plant, which broke ground in August 2025, will focus on producing energy storage systems and is scheduled to begin operations in early 2026. This expansion comes as India's vehicle output is forecast to grow by an average of per year between 2025 and 2030. Currently, over one in three vehicles sold in India is equipped with OPmobility components.

Beyond manufacturing, OPmobility is boosting its engineering and digital presence to meet growing demand from both local and global customers. This includes operating four R&D centres that support both the Indian business and worldwide markets. The Group has also established an OP’nSoft software centre in Bengaluru, Karnataka, to enhance its dedicated software entity.

Laurent Favre, Chief Executive Officer, OPmobility, said, "India is a strategic country for OPmobility, with a fast-growing automotive industry and as a platform of skilled workforce. Having developed strong historical partnerships with international and Indian automotive manufacturers, who benefit from a dynamic domestic and international demand, the Group aims at more than doubling its sales in the country by 2030. This will notably contribute to one of the pillars of our strategy, which is the geographical diversification of our sales. The reinforcement of our engineering, digital and software capacities in the country allows us to improve our overall competitiveness in engineering in all our countries and to continue to enhance our performance.”

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Laufenberg GmbH, a specialist in coating technologies, and WEVO-CHEMIE GmbH, an expert in polyurethane, epoxy and silicone materials, have jointly introduced an innovative manufacturing process that promises to enhance the scalability and reduce the costs of hydrogen technology components. This new method addresses the limitations of conventional sealing production for fuel cell and electrolyser stacks, which has traditionally depended on prefabricated flat gaskets or molded O-rings. These established techniques are inherently discontinuous, requiring individual moulds that result in a manufacturing process that is both time-intensive and costly. The collaborative solution from Laufenberg and Wevo enables the continuous, high-throughput, roll-to-roll production of flat elastomer gaskets. This breakthrough offers manufacturers a scalable path to lower expenses while simultaneously facilitating more efficient and automated production processes for critical hydrogen infrastructure like fuel cells, electrolysers and redox flow batteries.

The core of this new technique involves applying WEVO’s specially formulated two-component liquid elastomers onto a carrier film using Laufenberg’s precision coating equipment. This coated material then travels through a multi-zone curing oven, where temperature is meticulously controlled. An optional pre-curing stage with infrared emitters can be employed to accelerate the process and eliminate air bubbles. The line operates at variable speeds, offering immense production flexibility and the final product is supplied either on large rolls or as precision-die-cut gaskets, ready for installation.

This advanced process accommodates a wide range of specifications, producing pure elastomer seals with thicknesses from a minimal 20 micrometres up to two millimetres. By combining the elastomer with a carrier film, hybrid seals can be created with total thicknesses reaching four mm, catering to demands for both ultra-thin and highly robust sealing solutions. The carrier film can either be removed after curing or remain integrated to provide enhanced structural stability, which is particularly beneficial for softer sealant materials.

Leveraging WEVO’s long-standing expertise in developing low-permeation silicones and polyurethanes, the material properties can be precisely tailored to the application. This joint development marks a significant evolution from traditional liquid dispensing methods towards the efficient production of pre-fabricated, high-performance gaskets. For manufacturers, this innovation represents a critical step forward in streamlining the production of essential components for the hydrogen economy. Representatives from both companies will be available at upcoming industry events to discuss integration and material selection.

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Cummins India (CIL), a power solutions provider, marked its 30th anniversary of listing on the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) with a ceremonial bell ringing. The event was attended by Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD & CEO of NSE and Shveta Arya, Managing Director of Cummins India.

Since its listing on 29 March 1995, CIL has delivered returns for its shareholders and stakeholders. Over the three decades: the company has delivered 76x shareholder returns at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16 percent. Revenues have grown nearly 19x at a 10 percent CAGR and Profit After Tax has increased 30x at a 12 percent CAGR.

CIL now ranks among the top 100 companies by market capitalisation on the NSE, with its market cap surging by 76x since the listing. The company has cumulatively paid out INR 89.10 billion in dividends.

Shveta Arya, Managing Director, Cummins India, said, “For over six decades, we have powered India’s growth story. The anniversary of our 30-year presence on NSE is a significant milestone in that legacy. Since 1995, we have powered industries, enabled infrastructure, and advanced the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy. This journey is the result of the trust of our shareholders, the dedication of our employees, and the enduring partnerships we have built with our customers, suppliers and communities. As India moves forward, we remain committed to advancing the national vision of Viksit Bharat with innovation, dependability, and inclusive impact for generations to come.”

Ashishkumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, NSE, said, “Cummins India’s 30-year journey on NSE is a remarkable milestone that reflects both resilience and purpose. Over the years, the company has grown in step with India’s progress, delivering value to shareholders, advancing innovation, and contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future. At NSE, we take pride in being part of this journey and congratulate the leadership and employees of Cummins India on this achievement and look forward to their continued success.”

CIL has evolved into a diversified power solutions leader, now serving 10 industry segments, including rail, marine, defence, oil & gas, and data centres. The company also exports products to markets across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa.

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French tier 1 supplier Valeo will unveil its new electric compressor – the EDC-120, at Busworld Europe scheduled from 4th October to 9^th October 2025.

The component, featuring an integrated inverter, is designed for the electric bus segment. The company shared that this launch signals its move to extend its electrification expertise from passenger and light commercial vehicles into the heavy-duty and bus markets.

Claudine Rochette, Strategy & Communication VP, Valeo Power Division, said, “At Valeo, we are leading the electrification of the automotive market. With the launch of the EDC-120 electric compressor, Valeo drives into the electric bus market. This segment is expected to continue growing worldwide and Valeo’s ambitions do not stop at the electric compressor: we already have a wide portfolio of products for electric cars and light commercial vehicles that will be adapted for use in buses.”

The EDC-120 electric compressor has been engineered to meet the demands of electric buses in terms of performance, energy efficiency and reliability. This development uses Valeo’s existing portfolio of electrification solutions, including motors, inverters, DC/DC converters, heat pumps and other key components for electrified vehicles. Valeo plans to adapt these components further to meet the specific requirements for electric buses.

Valeo will also use its industrial scale and technological expertise to capture a share of the electric bus market. Production of the EDC-120 compressor is planned for 2026 in China, where the adoption of electric buses is most advanced. The company aims to establish a global presence, leveraging its international capabilities and local industrial footprint.

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