By T Murrali:

Freudenberg Performance Materials India (FPMI), part of Freudenberg Performance Materials (FPM), a global manufacturer of technical textiles, nonwovens and fibre, has been operational in India with a production site in Chennai since 1998. It has plans also to cater to the modern commercial vehicles by expanding its product portfolio.

Globally, FPM manufactures high-performance technical textiles and nonwovens for a wide range of applications including automotive, building materials, clothing, hygiene, wearables and healthcare. The FPM products / materials for automotive industry customers include mechanically bonded nonwovens for car headliners, trunk and rear seat coverings that are characterized by abrasion resistance. Besides, it caters to the OEMs with tuft backing for carpets and moulded under-body panels and wheel liners. FPM products make driving more efficient, climate friendly and comfortable. Nonwovens are lighter than woven variants and, therefore, support a more economic driving style. They help absorb sound, ensure pleasant climate inside the vehicle and help save fuel and reduce CO2 emissions.

For some of the products FPMI is an extended arm of the manufacturing locations of FPM outside India. The global company has manufacturing facilities in Germany, Korea, China, Japan, and the US; these are the locations where it has automotive manufacturing hubs.

Speaking to this publication, G Sivasailam, Managing Director, FPMI, said, “Essentially our R&D is in Germany, Korea, China, Japan, and the US which we carry to all other consuming countries. We see the Indian market as very promising in the near future. We want to warm up the market with the services and supplies from other locations, which we are currently doing. Supplies are coming in on a duty-free basis which is used in vehicles for exports. For example, many companies are exporting quite a lot to Latin America; we cater to that by supplying headliners. We also do the sun-roof for many Japanese & Korean based car manufacturers for their export models. Currently the domestic market is catered to by a few suppliers in Mumbai and Gurugram.”

There is substantial value addition for the OEMs and end-customers with the application of non-woven products in which case cost is not a criterion. Still what is preventing the OEMs here from getting them from the global companies like Freudenberg? Sivasailam said, “We use a three-denier fibre which is very fine compared with the six-denier used in the market. So the starting point itself is totally different. Secondly, the kind of binders and latex that we use are all CFC-free and they are also bio-decomposable. At the end of the day a consumer for an entry level car will look at the price. But for the premium cars, the price may not matter much.

Speaking on the advantages he said the NVH values of this product are superior to what is available in the market but the end-consumer finds it a little isometric to the value he is getting. For instance, sound absorption by the headliner is much higher than that of one made out of six-denier but the percentage difference is not necessarily the reason for making this a premium product, the consumer is unable to comprehend the difference. With the evolution of vehicles from ICE to Electric, there are enough opportunities for companies like FPM because the noise created by the IC engine nullifies the other noises while in the EV operation is silent. Therefore, “we see a big opportunity there. That is one particular area where innovation has been directed to by Freudenberg. Not only on headliners but also on back trays, hood liners, floor mats etc. We are coming up with composites which are lighter with longer life for a carpet, offering Lutraflor (Freudenberg technology) floor mats that are lighter and stronger. They have high abrasion resistance that remains despite perpetual usage. The weight here is reduced substantially and the back trays are super absorbent of noise. The hood liners take care of the temperature as well as the noise. These are the areas where we have come up with lighter material, meeting the requirements,” he said.

These products reduce the weight of the four big mats that weigh about 3.5 to 4kg by 25 percent. Overall, there is about 10-15 percent reduction over the conventional products. That’s the reason why today a lot of patronage is shown to these products; as of now they are used only in the C or D segment cars. In India it will take a little more time to reach these segments. Customer awareness level is still not high in India. However, when it comes up, the company would be able to offer a competitive product, considering the economies of scale, which would match the market trends, he said.

UV Rays Impact

Normally, UV rays raise temperature. When they are absorbed by the seats or any component temperature builds up and the a/c in the car is made to work more to maintain the temperature. There is also fuel loss. To cut it down it is necessary to reduce the amount of UV light that goes into the car which would enhance the mileage of the vehicle; passengers also will be benefited as UV rays are not good for the skin.

FPM has developed a composite material for the under-body shield to which patent is pending. “In most countries the under-body shield is metal; we are trying to replace it with a non-woven backed composite that would have the tenacity to take stones and everything hitting it at high speed. Straightaway, the weight proposition will change,” he said. Would that not affect the safety of the vehicle since, for stability, lower centre of gravity is key and this can be achieved by placing heavier stuff under body of the car? Sivasailam said the solution is to support only on the engine side; under-body shield is normally on the engine side so that stones don’t fly into the engine and hit the other parts. When there is lighter material on the front of the vehicle it actually enhances mobility. What is unique is the way the composite is made, the technology and construction; and the amount of tenacity it brings to the product to increase longevity. It’s a 100% recyclable material as well with weight saving up to 40%.

Business Opportunities

On the new opportunities for FPM, Sivasailam said, “We are also having battery separators; they are undergoing development as high storage batteries. It avoids catching fire which mitigates the risk to a great extent because of the ceramic coating. That is where e-mobility will make big commercial success. The other possibilities for the company to explore in India are the commercial vehicles, which are now getting smarter and better as vehicle makers give importance to the interiors; so there is an opportunity for them to get into this business. Even today most accidents take place due to driver fatigue. If that can be minimised it would help. The touch on the headliner or on the seat-back, everything is important. Haptic feeling is not given importance in India as of now. That is something that will be very good with a three-denier head liner. “We are also working on better acoustic properties on the trims. We have a product called Evolon which is a fine fibre technology, spun drawn with very good NVH property. We are working with Evolon in some automotive companies where we feel it can give much superior noise control,” Sivasailam said. (MT)

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Carraro Group’s leadership – including Ettore Francesco Sequi, Chairman of Carraro India, and Tomaso Carraro, Vice Chairman of Carraro Group and Carraro India – had a meeting with Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Indian Ambassador to Italy Vani Sarraju Rao in Milan, Italy, underscoring the deepening industrial collaboration between Italy and India, particularly in the off-highway, agriculture and construction equipment sectors.

The discussions reaffirmed Carraro Group’s long-standing commitment to India, which began in 1997. Under the motto ‘Think & Make in India’, the company has focused on developing localised solutions for the Indian market, including advanced 4WD drivetrain systems that enhance agricultural productivity and farm mechanisation. These technologies play a crucial role in supporting food security by improving efficiency for farmers, enabling higher yields and addressing global demand for sustainable food production.

Carraro India has set an ambitious growth target, aiming to increase its turnover from the current EUR 200 million to EUR 350 million by the fiscal year 2028-29. To achieve this, the company plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Pune, reinforcing its production capabilities and strengthening its supply chain within India. This expansion aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, promoting local manufacturing and job creation while catering to both domestic and international markets.

The engagement highlights India’s growing appeal as a manufacturing and investment destination for European companies, particularly in the agricultural and construction machinery sectors. It also reflects the broader economic and technological partnership between India and Italy, fostering innovation, skill development and industrial growth.

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German automotive technology giant Continental has developed a new sensor technology that is said to significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of electric vehicle (EV) motors.

For the first time, their new e-Motor Rotor Temperature Sensor (eRTS) directly measures the temperature inside permanently excited synchronous motors on the rotor itself.

This innovative approach delivers substantially more precise measurement results than current software-based temperature simulations, drastically reducing the tolerance range from 15deg Celsius to a mere 3deg Celsius. The enhanced accuracy offers a dual benefit for vehicle manufacturers: it enables them to reduce the reliance on costly rare earth elements used to boost magnet heat resistance and simultaneously improve potential motor performance. This, in turn, paves the way for greater sustainability in EV production.

The eRTS is a key development from Continental's E-Mobility Sensors (EMS) product centre, which is dedicated to creating advanced sensor technologies for electric vehicles.

Bin Huo, Head of Passive Safety and Sensorics (PSS) segment, Continental, said, "With less resource consumption and lower costs, eRTS sensor technology is advantageous over current solutions. This innovation shows that investing resources and focusing expertise in our product centre was absolutely the right decision. We will continue to successively expand our EV sensor portfolio."

Higher Measuring Accuracy

The eRTS system comprises two distinct components: a wireless mote temperature sensor unit positioned close to the magnet within the EV motor and a wired transducer element situated outside the motor, connected to the inverter control.

Rotors operate under extreme conditions, with temperatures potentially reaching up to 150deg Celsius. Consequently, precise monitoring and control of heat development in EV motors are paramount. Presently, heat development is not measured directly but is instead calculated based on data from the stator temperature sensor, phase current measurements and environmental variables. This indirect method results in a tolerance range of up to 15deg Celsius. To safeguard magnets from demagnetisation due to excessive heat, expensive rare earth elements are typically used to cover this entire tolerance range and ensure sufficient heat resistance.

The significantly greater measuring accuracy of the eRTS, which reduces the tolerance range to just 3deg Celsius, presents car manufacturers with new design possibilities and freedom in permanent magnet synchronous EV motors.

A considerable proportion of costly rare earth materials, which would otherwise be required to account for the wider tolerance range for safety reasons, can now be saved. Furthermore, the improved accuracy offers the intriguing prospect of enhancing motor performance by pushing the operational limits closer to the actual temperature threshold.

Christoph Busch, Lead – Product Centre, Continental, said, "Our E-Mobility Sensors product centre aims to increase efficiency and sustainability in electric vehicles. The eRTS technology is a prime example of this: reducing the use of rare earths contributes to a more sustainable supply chain, especially given that the number of EVs is expected to greatly increase in the coming years and decades. In combination with other sensor technologies, such as the e-Motor Rotor Position Sensor, it can even act as a system solution to create synergies that can save car manufacturers money and effort."

Ultrasound Technology

The eRTS's two components, the mote element and the transducer element, work in tandem. The mote temperature sensor unit measures the temperature directly at the target area, as close as possible to the magnet. Crucially, the wireless mote draws its energy solely from the wired transducer, which is connected to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) and simultaneously provides the transducer with its measuring data. The transducer is located outside the EV motor on the chassis and transmits temperature information to the inverter control via a communication interface. Both the mote and transducer communicate using Piezo ultrasound, which also facilitates the energy supply to the mote.

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In a landmark development for artificial intelligence and global technological partnerships, G42, OpenAI, Oracle, NVIDIA, SoftBank Group and Cisco have joined forces to launch Stargate UAE, a next-generation AI infrastructure cluster set to operate in Abu Dhabi.

The announcement, made in the presence of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighted UAE’s commitment to driving cutting-edge innovation on the world stage.

The launch event witnessed the attendance of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Council, alongside prominent dignitaries and senior officials.

Stargate UAE, a 1-gigawatt compute cluster, will be constructed by G42 and operated by OpenAI and Oracle. NVIDIA will provide its cutting-edge Grace Blackwell GB300 systems, while Cisco contributes AI-ready connectivity and zero-trust security frameworks. SoftBank Group will also play a crucial role in the initiative. Once operational, Stargate UAE will deliver exceptional AI infrastructure, scalable compute resources, and ultra-low latency for inferencing, enabling powerful AI applications across industries. The first 200-megawatt cluster is slated to go live in 2026.

Designed to fuel scientific discovery, industry innovation and economic growth, Stargate UAE will support sectors including healthcare, energy, finance and transportation. It forms the cornerstone of the newly announced UAE–US AI Campus, a 5-gigawatt AI hub spanning 10 square miles in Abu Dhabi – the largest deployment of its kind outside the United States. Powered by a combination of nuclear, solar and natural gas sources, the facility will prioritise sustainability and low-carbon operations. It will also feature a science park to nurture talent, advance research, and promote sustainable computing solutions.

The UAE–US AI Campus builds upon the ‘US-UAE AI Acceleration Partnership’, a framework unveiled last week by the U.S. and UAE governments to foster safe, secure and responsible AI technologies. As part of this initiative, UAE entities will expand their digital infrastructure investments in the U.S., including projects like Stargate U.S., aligned with the ‘America First Investment Policy.’

Peng Xiao, Group CEO, G42, said, “The launch of Stargate UAE is a significant step in the UAE–US AI partnership. As a founding partner, we’re proud to work alongside institutions that share our belief in responsible innovation and meaningful global progress. This initiative is about building a bridge – rooted in trust and ambition – that helps bring the benefits of AI to economies, societies, and people around the world.”

Sam Altman, Co-founder and CEO, OpenAI, said, “By establishing the world’s first Stargate outside of the US in the UAE, we’re transforming a bold vision into reality. This is the first major milestone in our OpenAI for Countries initiative – our effort to work with allies and partners to build AI infrastructure around the world. It’s a step toward ensuring some of this era’s most important breakthroughs – safer medicines, personalised learning, and modernised energy – can emerge from more places and benefit the world.”

Larry Ellison, CTO and Chairman, Oracle, said, “Stargate pairs Oracle’s AI-optimised cloud with nation-scale sovereign infrastructure. This first-in-the-world platform will enable every UAE government agency and commercial institution to connect their data to the world’s most advanced AI models. This landmark deployment sets a new standard for digital sovereignty and demonstrates how nation states can harness the power of the most important technology in the history of humankind.”

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO, NVIDIA, said, “AI is the most transformative force of our time. With Stargate UAE, we are building the AI infrastructure to power the country’s bold vision – to empower its people, grow its economy, and shape its future.”

Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO, SoftBank Group, said, “When we unveiled Stargate in the US with OpenAI and Oracle, we set out to build an engine for the next information revolution. Now, the UAE becomes the first nation beyond America to embrace this sovereign AI platform, proving the global nature of this vision. SoftBank is proud to support the UAE’s leap forward. Bold investments, trusted partnerships, and national ambition can create a more connected, more joyful and more empowered world.”

Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO, Cisco, said, “Cisco is proud to join Stargate UAE to advance groundbreaking AI innovation in the UAE and around the world. By embedding our secure AI-optimised networking fabric for this international deployment, we're building smart, secure and energy-efficient networks that will turn intelligence into impact at global scale.”

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest carmaker, has announced a new partnership with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) aimed at fostering innovation and creating business opportunities for startups in both India and Japan.

The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to bridge the startup ecosystems of the two nations.

The MoU was formally exchanged by Dr Tapan Sahoo, Executive Officer, Digital Enterprise, Maruti Suzuki India and Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, was also present during the signing.

As per the understanding, Maruti Suzuki India and JETRO will work together to help Indian startups gain access to Japan's innovation landscape, while Japanese startups will similarly have the opportunity to explore India's vibrant startup ecosystem.

Beyond access, the partnership will facilitate networking and participation for these startups in relevant industry events and activities, connecting them with potential partners. Indian startups selected through Maruti Suzuki's four innovation programs – Accelerator, Incubation, Mobility Challenge and Nurture – will be eligible to participate in these initiatives. Japanese startups, on the other hand, will be able to explore the Indian market through JETRO's support.

Hisashi Takeuchi, said, "Through our multi-format innovation programs, we have been engaging with startups in India to co-create technology-driven solutions relevant to the automobile manufacturing and mobility space. We see great potential in Indian startups, and with this MoU with JETRO, we will be able to provide a platform for these promising startups to explore the Japanese business landscape."

Takashi Suzuki, Chief Director General, JETRO India, said, "Maruti Suzuki stands as one of the finest examples of the successful partnership between India and Japan. With this MoU, we are creating opportunities for even more fruitful business collaborations between our two nations. This MoU aims to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and further strengthen the deep-rooted ties between India and Japan."

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