The phase I and II of the plant, set up investing INR 400 crore, will boost its capabilities to serve customers across sectors including flexible packaging, automotive, agriculture and construction equipment, general industry and metals. The plant which will cater to the local and export markets employs 300 people. The phase III and IV will be launched later at an estimated cost of INR 400 crore.

“India is one of the most important emerging markets with tremendous growth opportunities for our adhesives business,” Jan-Dirk Auris, Member of the Management Board and Executive Vice President, Adhesive Technologies business unit, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, said. “We have application experts across manufacturing industries worldwide and work closely with our customers and partners. Our trusted brands and leading solutions based on our unmatched portfolio of 40 technologies create sustainable value for our customers. With the launch of this state-of-the-art, multi-technology manufacturing facility, we have created capacities to meet the demand for our high impact solutions in this dynamic market. This investment will enable us to further drive profitable growth,” he added.

Momentum in megatrends in the automotive sector will fuel demand for the company’s adhesive products, which help reduce vehicle’s weight. “Electric and connected vehicles need more adhesives than IC engine vehicles. We will continue to bring out products and solutions based on consumer demand and suitable for the new mobility, connectivity and sustainability,” Auris said.

The new plant is part of Henkel’s big bet on the emerging markets. Half of its total sales of USD 20 billion is from them. “India is the largest among the top 3 emerging markets. We believe tremendous demand will come from India for adhesives in the next decade. Henkel’s products are ‘invisible but essential’ and work as enablers for its consumers to improve efficiency and quality. Being a highly impactful solutions supplier, we also need to manage the risks,” he said.

Smart Factory

The Kurkumbh site is equipped with technologies to ensure traceability and transparency by ensuring built-in quality. End-to-end digitalisation of the plant operations has enabled digitised workflows; thus, making manufacturing more efficient. It deploys closed material handling systems and high level of process automation. For the first time, as a global pilot in Henkel, the site has implemented deep integration of process automation with Smart Factory (Industry 4.0).

 The site meets the highest standards of sustainability. It is among the very few chemical manufacturing sites to be awarded the LEED Gold Certificate by the US Green Building Council based on a holistic energy efficiency concept.  About 10 percent of its power consumption comes from captive solar energy and 16 percent of the annual water requirement is met by rainwater harvesting. Air and waste water discharges are monitored online.

Shilip Kumar, President, Henkel India, said, “We will continue to invest in local manufacturing as it gives our Adhesive Technologies business in India a strategic advantage. The Kurkumbh manufacturing site is a very important milestone of Henkel’s journey in India. This site will not only cater to the Indian market but also markets in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. As market leaders in this industry, our focus is to offer high impact solutions to our customers and convert latent market potential into profitable growth.”

Henkel Adhesive Technologies is a global leader in adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. The business unit serves around 130,000 customers in over 800 industrial areas with tailor-made products and technologies used in a wide array of consumer goods and industrial products. (MT)

The Indian School for Design of Automobiles (INDEA) and XLRI Delhi-NCR showcased an early example of Indian automotive design at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. INDEA championed ‘Design in India’ by showing one of the first Indian design initiatives in the automotive space from the late-1970s – a testament to the can-do spirit of automotive start-ups in the country. 

Echoing the Prime Minister's vision of making India a global hub for innovation and sustainable development, and as a tribute to India’s automotive heritage, the booth showcased the Sipani Badal, a pioneering three-wheeled car from the late-1970s. The Badal, with its innovative-for-its-time fiberglass body and unique, individualistic design, represented a bold step in Indian automotive design when it was first unveiled almost five decades ago. Today, it serves as a reminder of the country’s long history of innovation and ingenuity, while highlighting INDEA’s mission to drive innovation and shape the future of mobility.

Visitors at the exhibition also had an opportunity to explore the creativity via the Wacom tablet. Using intuitive software, attendees explored the artistic potential by creating unique designs, which they could print and take home as personalized mementos. 

Reflecting on the event, Director of XLRI Delhi-NCR Dr. K.S. Casimir said, “INDEA’s participation at the Expo highlighted our commitment to nurturing designers who not only innovate but also address the broader societal and environmental challenges of the future. INDEA, with its focus on design excellence, will prepare the students for the future of work. By nurturing creativity and fostering innovation, we are opening new avenues for education and equipping our graduates with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly evolving world."

INDEA Founder Avik Chattopadhyay added, “The Expo is more than an opportunity to showcase INDEA—it is about inspiring creativity and innovation. The exhibition showcases the remarkable synergy between tradition and innovation, as exemplified by the Sipani Badal and the cutting-edge designs on display. It's a testament to the ingenuity of the Indian spirit and a testament to the future of Indian automotive design."

Amber Connect, a global vehicle tracking and telematics solutions company headquartered in Jamaica, is all set to showcase its transformative AI-driven technologies at the upcoming Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, which is set to be held from 17 to 22 January 2025 at three venues in and around Delhi.

With its participation in in the event, Amber Connect plans to tap into the growing Indian passenger and commercial vehicle market. Amber Connect will showcase its range of transformative AI-driven technologies, including fleet management, advanced vehicle security, theft detection and AI dashcams, at the Bharat Mandapam venue.

Dushyant Savadia, Founder and CEO, Amber Group, said, “Amber connect has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation and is now a global leader in vehicle telematics. Bharat Expo 2025, which is bringing together an ecosystem of players in the industry have especially focused on AI-driven telematics, safety and security solutions. As vehicle theft and logistics optimisation and safety take centre stage in India’s growth journey, it’s the right time for Amber Connect to tap into such a large market with a huge potential for growth.”

The journey of the organisation started when Savadia, who was born in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, travelled to Jamaica as a humanitarian representative for the Art of Living Foundation. Over the course of three years, Savadia conducted stress management courses for a wide range of audiences, including business teams, farmers and jail prisoners. Amber Group was established in 2015 to support his charity endeavours when the financing for his nonprofit efforts dried up. The company's original product, Amber Connect, found a significant gap in vehicle security and created the most potent AI-powered fleet management and consumer car monitoring solutions available. Amber Connect has grown to operate in 100 countries since its founding, and it now intends to enhance the Indian market.

IIT Bombay, one of the country’s premiere educational institutes, has launched an e-Postgraduate Diploma in E-mobility.

Conceptualised and delivered by IIT Bombay faculty with Great Learning as its EdTech partner, the 18-month, industry-focused curriculum will begin in March 2025.

Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay, said, "The e-Postgraduate Diploma in E-mobility by the C1973 EV Power Train Lab marks a key milestone in IIT Bombay's commitment to advanced education. Our industry collaborations help bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world application, accelerating our mission to advance experiential learning in innovation-driven fields."

The course is targeted for early & mid-career professionals, scientists & R&D professionals, entrepreneurs, academicians and recent graduates. It will feature a host of key learning topics such as electric vehicle design, battery technology, electrical drives, power electronics and more. The focus will be on both conceptual and practical learning through live and interactive sessions.

Mohan Lakhamraju, Founder and CEO, Great Learning, said, "The electric vehicle industry in India and globally is advancing at a remarkable pace, fuelled by government policies and growing environmental awareness. This is creating a strong demand for skilled professionals across technical and operational domains. For individuals looking to build a career in this industry, this curriculum is an incredible opportunity."

Students will work on projects such as vehicle sub-system modelling, embedded controller for electric motors, simulation of power electronic systems, battery modelling techniques & degradation phenomenon, modelling & control of EV chargers, impact assessment of EVs on grid infrastructure supported. All these will be supported by IIT Bombay's academic resources.

IIT Bombay has shared that eligible candidates must have a B.E. / B.Tech degree or a 4-year B.Sc / BS degree in a relevant domain of engineering or technology. Candidates with postgraduate (M.Tech / M.Sc / MS) or doctorate degrees in a relevant domain of engineering and technology can also apply. 

BorgWarner is all set to display its latest developments in electrified drivetrain solutions at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 in New Delhi.

At Booth M5 in Hall H2 at the Components Show in Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, BorgWarner will present its LFP battery systems, which are built with a sturdy and modular architecture based on state-of-the-art blade cell technology from FinDreams Battery. The various pack sizes are perfect for a variety of off-road applications and all electric commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses. These batteries, which come with the newest in-house, future-proof technology and software, help to increase vehicle range, dependability and safety performance. Additionally, BorgWarner will showcase its advanced turbocharging solutions, eMotors, high-voltage coolant heaters, integrated drive modules and next-generation inverters, highlighting its extensive range that serves advanced combustion, hybrid, and electrification requirements.

Dr Stefan Demmerle, Vice President, BorgWarner Inc and President and General Manager, PowerDrive Systems, said, “Our participation in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo marks a significant opportunity to showcase our pioneering eMobility technologies. With our high-energy LFP batteries and advanced power electronics as well as thermal management solutions, we are committed to supporting India’s rapid move towards cleaner, more efficient mobility solutions. Our global expertise and local presence enable us to be a key partner in this transformation.”