Garware Hi-Tech Films (GHFL) and specialty chemicals company Lubrizol have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the development and manufacturing of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) technology in India.

The agreement establishes a dedicated TPU film extrusion platform designed to expand GHFL's product portfolio across automotive, architectural, industrial and electronics sectors, while providing backward integration for its Paint Protection Film (PPF) business.

As part of the understanding, GHFL is committing an investment of approximately INR 1.18 billion toward the platform, with operational commencement targeted for December 2026. Roughly 25 percent of the total capital outlay will be directed toward research, new product development and technological capabilities.

The partnership involves combining Lubrizol's material science and TPU formulations with GHFL's processing and film manufacturing infrastructure. In-house TPU extrusion will supply inputs for GHFL's PPF manufacturing, supporting an expansion in PPF production capacity to over 60 million square feet (LSF). By manufacturing TPU films locally rather than relying on foreign suppliers, the company expects to enhance supply chain control and support an incremental EBITDA margin expansion of 150 to 200 basis points at a consolidated level.

Monika Garware, Joint MD and Vice-Chairperson, Garware Hi-Tech Films, said, “This association marks a significant milestone in GHFL’s journey towards building a globally competitive, technology-led specialty films business. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to develop new, high-value products across multiple specialty applications, while also strengthening our backward integration in PPF. By combining Lubrizol’s world-class TPU technology with GHFL’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities, we aim to accelerate innovation and build differentiated solutions for the Indian and global markets.”

Deepak Joshi, Director of Sales and Marketing, Garware Hi-Tech Films, said, “GHFL’s INR 1.18 billion investment in advanced TPU film extrusion and manufacturing capabilities is expected to be operational by December 2026, together with the expansion of PPF manufacturing capacity to over 600 LSF, marks a significant step in strengthening our technology-driven, value-added portfolio. This will enable us to develop new TPU-based products across PPF and other specialty applications, while providing greater backward integration for our PPF business. With nearly 25 percent of the investment directed towards new product development and technology capabilities, we see TPU as an important foundation for future innovation, faster commercialisation and incremental EBITDA margin improvement in PPF.”

Abhishek Shrivastava, Vice-President and MD, Lubrizol IMEA, said, “India is emerging as a significant hub for advanced manufacturing, supported by growing domestic demand, strong industrial capabilities and an increasing focus on localisation. At Lubrizol, we are committed to enabling this growth through collaboration, innovation and world-class materials science. Our association with Garware reflects a shared vision of advancing high-performance solutions for the Indian market while contributing to a stronger and more competitive specialty materials ecosystem.”

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Electric propulsion technology startup Vimag Labs has commenced operations at its first manufacturing plant in Met City, Jhajjar, Haryana, and completed its initial export shipment of motor and control systems.

The opening marks the start of a phased manufacturing build-out across India, with the company planning to deploy approximately INR 500 million in capital as customer programs scale.

The 10,000-square-foot facility, which can expand to 20,000 square feet, manufactures motor and control systems, including Vimag's magnet-free motor technology. The plant features digitally connected production lines, automated assembly systems and testing infrastructure for mid-power systems.

The initial layout is structured to scale toward a monthly capacity of up to 10,000 motor and control units. Vimag plans to expand production into high-power systems of 570 kW and above as customer programs mature.

Manish Seth, Co-Founder & CEO, Vimag Labs, said, "The commencement of manufacturing marks an important transition for Vimag from technology development and validation into industrialisation and serial production. Jhajjar is the first step in a broader manufacturing build-out. We are currently planning around INR 500 million of investment, to be deployed in phases as customer programmes, traction and product requirements develop. The scale and timing of investment will evolve with demand as we build capacity and deepen our manufacturing base. The first production batch has already been exported from Jhajjar, demonstrating that the facility has moved into commercial manufacturing."

"Our initial focus is on scaling mid-power motor and control systems for commercial programmes. As customer programmes mature, we plan to extend manufacturing into high-power systems of 570 kW and above and deepen partnerships across India for manufacturing, supply chain, tooling and industrialisation. Our long-term goal is to build a globally competitive production base in India for domestic and international customers," added Seth.

Vimag Labs recently secured USD 5 million in Series A funding round led by Accel, with participation from Chakra Growth Fund and Thinkuvate. The company has executed a manufacturing agreement with Jendamark to support production scaling and acquired an exclusive United States technology licensing agreement for a bidirectional high-voltage inverter platform operating at up to 1,000 volts. The manufacturing expansion is projected to generate between 100 and 150 direct and indirect jobs across engineering, assembly, quality control, and supply chain operations.

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Auto component manufacturer JM Frictech India has invested around INR 500 million to establish its fourth manufacturing facility in Chandigarh. The investment expands the company's production footprint and logistics operations across Northern India.

The facility is being commissioned in phases, with initial operations dedicated to warehousing and distribution logistics.

Established in 2008 as a joint venture between NTC Engineering India and South Korea’s Jinmyung Frictech Company, the company produces approximately 12 million friction discs annually. The addition of the Chandigarh plant expands the company's manufacturing footprint to four facilities across India, supporting its strategy to localize components for agricultural and industrial off-highway equipment.

JM Frictech India plans to scale manufacturing activities at the site to achieve full operational capability within the next 6-8 months. The facility is structured to supply friction systems, wet brakes, wet clutches, hydraulic actuation systems, transmission aggregates and hydrostatic transmission components to original equipment manufacturers in the tractor, construction equipment and off-highway sectors.

E. Madhavan, Managing Director of JM Frictech India, said, "The investment in Chandigarh is an important part of our expansion strategy. It will strengthen our manufacturing presence in North India and enable us to be closer to our customers while creating capacity for future growth."

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Bengaluru-based electric mobility startup E3 Electric.Ai has commenced production of its electric scooter, the E3 Trion, at its manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in batches from 7 October 2026, coinciding with the company's second anniversary.

The E3 Trion is offered in three variants – C1, C1X and C2 – designed for individual, family and commercial users. The variants will be delivered in phased schedules across six colour options: Nova Blue, Teal Blue, Graphite Grey, Misty Green, Solar Red and Luna White.

The e-scooter completed a testing and validation programme comprising over 550 Design Validation Plan tests, including chassis dynamometer power evaluation, range validation and brake-pressure sensor testing. Accelerated durability assessments were conducted on a Cam Drum Test Rig with a 205 kg payload, alongside water-wading tests at depths between 100 mm and 300 mm, rainstorm exposure and a 260-km mixed-terrain road test between Bengaluru and Hogenakkal.

Sanjeev P, Founder and CEO, E3 Electric.Ai, said, "This is a significant moment for everyone at E3, where engineering, testing and validation translate into a product that is ready to reach our customers. Our philosophy has been simple: build an intelligent, robust, electric scooter engineered for the real world. The rigorous validation programme, particularly our focus on durability across challenging conditions, has been central to that. With production now underway and deliveries beginning in batches from October 7, which also marks our second anniversary, we are proud to take the E3 Trion from the test track to the road and begin this journey with our first 100 customers."

The initial 100 buyers will receive an extended warranty covering the battery and primary components for eight years or 100,000 kilometres, along with one year of roadside assistance. The coverage package applies to the 2.3 kWh battery configuration on the C1 variant and the 3 kWh battery setup on the C1X and C2 variants.

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German automotive luxury brand BMW M has produced its one-millionth vehicle, a BMW M3 finished in BMW Individual Fire Orange III special paintwork, at the BMW Group Plant Munich. The milestone vehicle was presented by Peter Weber, head of BMW Group Plant Munich, to Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M, during an official ceremony.

The production milestone marks over five decades of BMW M manufacturing. Moving forward, the Munich facility will produce the fully electric BMW M3 based on BMW M Neue Klasse technology, following the fully electric BMW i3 as the second Neue Klasse model manufactured at the site.

The Munich facility has produced the current generation of the BMW M3 since 2020. From 2027 onwards, the BMW Group will manufacture exclusively fully electric vehicles at the site. The company is investing approximately EUR 650 million to convert the Munich facility, incorporating a new body shop, vehicle assembly line, and logistics infrastructure across one-third of the total plant area.

Franciscus van Meel said, "BMW M combines road and racetrack capabilities with everyday practicality. The one-millionth BMW M vehicle shows that these values are still very much appreciated by our customers, 40 years after the market launch of the first BMW M3. This motivates us to continuously develop our BMW M high-performance vehicle portfolio based on BMW M Neue Klasse technology, including fully-electric models, in line with our core brand promise."

Peter Weber said, "The BMW M3 has close ties to the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich. We are delighted that we will also be producing the first fully-electric BMW M3 here in Munich. BMW M has a special emotional significance for our associates here – so we are especially proud to be actively shaping the future of this icon."

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  - Prabal Singh October 05, 2026 22:56 PM

  Nah bro nahhh 😭😭

  Reply