Bengaluru Gets a World-Class Electronics Co-Innovation Hub as Henkel Launches Advanced Application Center

Advanced electronics lab bridging materials and applications at Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ Customer Application Center in Bengaluru

Henkel today announced the launch of its Customer Application Center in Bengaluru, reinforcing its commitment to India’s rapidly expanding electronics manufacturing sector. The new facility will serve as a collaborative innovation hub where Henkel experts and customers can co-develop, test, and validate advanced adhesive and thermal management solutions for next-generation electronics manufacturing.

The new facility represents one of Henkel's most significant application engineering commitments in the India Middle East and Africa (IMEA) region, and is designed to address a critical gap in India's electronics value chain: the absence of localized, world-class application testing and validation infrastructure that allows manufacturers to develop, qualify, and scale advanced materials solutions without the time and cost of sending work overseas.

India's electronics manufacturing sector has grown nearly six-fold over the past decade. The momentum is accelerating, driven by the rapid build-out of data center and AI computing infrastructure, 5G and fiber network expansion, electric vehicle charging systems, industrial automation, and advanced medical devices. Each of these sectors depends critically on high-performance adhesives, thermal management materials, and protective coatings, and each demand faster, more localized application engineering support than India's ecosystem has traditionally been able to provide.

 

Customers along with team members of Henkel Adhesive Technologies inaugurating the Customer Application Center in Bengaluru

Bengaluru was a natural choice. The city's concentration of semiconductor design talent, electronics R&D centers, and global OEM engineering teams makes it the single most important node in India's electronics innovation ecosystem. Locating the center here puts Henkel's application expertise directly alongside the engineers and manufacturers who need it most.

"India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem is at an inflection point, and Bengaluru is at the center of it," said S. Sunil Kumar, Country President – India, Henkel. "What manufacturers across our focus sectors increasingly need is not just world-class materials, but a local partner who can co-develop, test, and validate those materials under real production conditions, and help them move from concept to market faster. That is precisely what this center is designed to do. It is our most tangible expression yet of Henkel's long-term commitment to India's electronics future."

The 5,000 sq. ft. facility, of which approximately 2,400 sq. ft. is dedicated laboratory and testing space, is built to replicate actual electronics manufacturing conditions, allowing customers to evaluate and optimize materials and processes before committing to production scale. Around 60-65% of the investment has gone into advanced lab and testing equipment, with 20-25% directed at customer co-development infrastructure.

The facility serves five high-growth sectors: telecom and 5G infrastructure, data centres and AI computing, power electronics and EV systems, industrial automation, and medical electronics. Its key capabilities span advanced thermal management testing, precision dispensing systems, electrical characterisation tools, and rapid-cure chambers, supporting the full journey from prototyping and material validation through to production readiness.

The center directly supports India's Make-in-India and Production-Linked-Incentive objectives by bringing application engineering, process optimization, and reliability validation onshore. A substantial share of activities that Indian electronics manufacturers previously had to route through overseas facilities, or simply defer, can now be conducted locally, compressing development cycles and accelerating time to market.

Henkel application experts will work side-by-side with customer engineering teams at the facility; co-developing solutions tailored to specific device architectures and manufacturing requirements. This collaboration model is central to the center's design and is what distinguishes it from a conventional testing laboratory.

About Henkel

With its brands, innovations and technologies, Henkel holds leading market positions worldwide in the industrial and consumer businesses. The business unit Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in the market for adhesives, sealants and coatings. With Consumer Brands, the company holds leading positions especially in laundry & home care and hair in many markets and categories around the world. The company's three strongest brands are Loctite, Persil and Schwarzkopf. In fiscal 2025, Henkel reported sales of about 20.5 billion euros and adjusted operating profit of around 3.0 billion euros. Henkel’s preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX. Sustainability has a long tradition at Henkel, and the company has a clear sustainability strategy with specific targets. Henkel was founded in 1876 and today employs a diverse team of about 47,000 people worldwide – united by a strong corporate culture, shared values and a common purpose: "Pioneers at heart for the good of generations.” More information at www.henkel.com

GVFL Leads ₹13.3 Crore Funding in Surat’s Canvaloop, Turning Farm Waste into Textiles

GVFL, Gujarat’s pioneer venture capital firm, has announced a lead investment of ₹10 crore in the Rs 13.3 crore fund flow into Canvaloop, the Surat-based innovating textile startup that converts agricultural waste into high-performance textile material. The remaining Rs 3.3 crore has been pumped in by Mumbai-based Rockstud Capital.

Canvaloop, founded in 2020 by Shreyans Kokra, addresses textile pollution by transforming crop residues into spinnable material, including HempLoop, FlaxLoop, BanLoop, NettleLoop, and PineLoop. Engineered for ‘adoption-first’ compatibility with existing mills, these materials ensure seamless sustainability.

The fresh capital of Rs 13.3 crore will drive growth by boosting production from 30 tonnes to 300 tonnes per month, assembling an elite team, and pioneering regenerative cellulose R&D. It will accelerate Canvaloop’s mission to transform the textile industry’s sustainability landscape, making eco-friendly materials mainstream and commercially viable.

GVFL Managing Director Mihir Joshi emphasized the strategic fit: "Canvaloop exemplifies the scalable innovation Gujarat startups are delivering in deep-tech sustainability. With its founder, Shreyans Kokra’s vision, we are excited to fuel their journey from a local waste-to-fiber pioneer to a global supply chain backbone. This investment aligns with GVFL’s commitment to high-impact ventures driving environmental and economic value.”

On the investment of Rs 3.3 crore, Abhishek Agarwal, Managing Partner at Rockstud Capital, said: “India’s manufacturing future will be shaped by founders rethinking materials and supply chains. Canvaloop’s ability to convert agricultural waste into textile-grade materials shows how sustainability and industrial innovation can go hand in hand. We think such solutions are vital for the shift to circular manufacturing in global supply chains.”

Canvaloop founder Shreyans Kokra said,

GVFL’s lead investment, along with the money from Rockstud Capital, supercharges our vision. It proves sustainable textile material can be practical and profitable.

According to Kokra, the textile and fashion industry’s path to net zero is increasingly being shaped by raw material choices, and there is a focus on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions from fiber and raw material production by 45% by 2030. “This is exactly where Canvaloop aligns with the focus. He stated, "We transform agricultural waste into textile-grade materials and yarns using proprietary low-impact technology. Our climate-friendly, closed-loop process eliminates the use of solvents, recycles water, and utilises bio-waste as a heat source."

Canvaloop has served 200+ clients, generated revenue, and validated commercial viability. It targets mass-premium/luxury segments with proprietary processing for consistent, cost-effective quality. Over the next 6-12 months, the startup aims for 10x production, new launches, and a path to global wardrobe presence in seven years.

Hinduja’s OIL to Skill 1 Lakh UP Youth for Digital Jobs

(L-R) - Shri P. K. Pundir, Additional Director, Dr M. K. Shanmuga Sundaram, Shri Anil Rajbhar, Neha Prakash, Vynsley Fernandes

OneOTT Intertainment Ltd. (OIL), the broadband vertical of Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd. (HGS), part of the Hinduja Group, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Employment Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, aimed at strengthening youth employability, aligning skill development with industry requirements, and expanding opportunities in the digital economy, with a target to skill one lakh youth from the state and connect them with employment opportunities.

The MoU was signed by Dr. M. K. Shanmugha Sundaram, Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh and Mr. Vynsley Fernandes, Whole-Time Director, Hinduja Global Solutions and MD & CEO, ONEOTT Intertainment Limited, in the presence of Shri Anil Rajbhar, honourable Minister for Labour and Employment and Coordination, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and other dignitaries.

ONEOTT Intertainment Limited will develop capacity-building programmes, skill training workshops, structured training initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms for the youth of the state. In addition, the organisation will extend research-based insights, technical recommendations and policy-level support to facilitate the effective implementation of these programmes.

Dr. M. K. Shanmugha Sundaram, Principal Secretary, Labour and Employment Department, said “This collaboration will play a significant role in aligning skill development programmes with the actual needs of industry. He added that through this partnership, several structured training and capacity-building initiatives will be undertaken to prepare the youth of Uttar Pradesh for emerging opportunities in the rapidly expanding digital services sector.”

Mr. Vynsley Fernandes, Whole-Time Director, Hinduja Global Solutions and MD & CEO, ONEOTT Intertainment Limited, said, “India’s progress towards Viksit Bharat is closely linked to strengthening the capabilities of its young workforce and aligning skills with the needs of a changing economy. At Hinduja Global Solutions we are driving digital transformation and understand that skills must constantly keep pace with technology. At OIL, collaborations with forward-looking state institutions will enable us to contribute & support the digital ecosystem across Bharat. Our association with the Government of Uttar Pradesh reflects a shared commitment to advancing youth employability, while explore the role of AI in enhancing the efficiency and transparency of public programmes.”

The Employment Department of the Government of Uttar Pradesh will facilitate coordination for the effective implementation of programmes and ensure collaboration with relevant institutions, departments and stakeholders.

OIL is increasingly working with governments and institutions across India to support digital inclusion, connectivity-led development and technology-driven capacity building aligned with national growth priorities. The initiative will also explore the use of digital connectivity platforms, technology-enabled learning modules and industry partnerships to build future-ready talent pipelines for the digital economy.

About ONEOTT INTERTAINMENT LIMITED (www.onebroadband.in)

ONEOTT iNTERTAINMENT Limited ("OIL"); is one of India's top private Internet Service Providers with over 1 million retail customers. OIL is a subsidiary of global leader in optimizing the customer experience lifecycle, digital transformation, business process management, and digital media ecosystem company Hinduja Global Solutions (HGSL), a Hinduja Group company. OIL has a strong presence in Broadband and Internet services in 350+ cities and towns, with a growing presence in Tier-II and Tier-III towns. Its services under "ONE Broadband" provide converged services of Video, Data and Voice to consumers by delivering high-speed internet and services at speeds up to 1,000Mbps.

CelerityX, the Enterprise Business Unit of OIL, offers customers access to a national-level digital mesh – providing secure and mission-critical connectivity through a mesh of terrestrial platforms, broadband-over-satellite, and Wi-Fi, layered with SDWAN capabilities.

HGS is listed on BSE and NSE. For the year ended March 31, 2025, HGS had a total income of Rs. 4,959 crore (US$ 586 million).

Adani Enterprises to Build ₹84,000 Crore Coal-to-Chemicals Plant on Former UMPP Land in Odisha

Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL) has announced plans to establish a massive coal-to-chemicals complex in Odisha’s Sundargarh district, repurposing land originally acquired for the now-abandoned Bhedabahal Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP), reported The New Indian Express, which published details early on March 15, 2026. Business Standard reported the same later the same day with its own coverage.

The ₹84,000 crore project will be developed through OD Syn-Gas & Chemicals Limited (OSGCL), a step-down subsidiary of AEL.

Project Overview

The upcoming facility will be spread across 3,047 acres in Bhedabahal, Sadar block, Sundargarh. The land was initially earmarked for a 4,000 MW UMPP, which was later scrapped. With approval from Odisha’s High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), Adani is set to transform the site into one of India’s largest coal-to-chemicals hubs.

• The plant will convert coal into high-value chemicals such as methanol, syngas, and downstream derivatives.
• It aims to reduce India’s reliance on crude oil imports.
• Supports industrial diversification in Odisha.

Economic and Strategic Significance

• Investment: ₹84,000 crore (approx. $10 billion)
• Employment: Thousands of direct and indirect jobs expected
• Industrial Impact: Strengthening Odisha’s position as a hub for energy-intensive industries
• National Strategy: Aligns with India’s push to explore coal-to-chemicals as an alternative energy pathway

Balancing Benefits and Challenges

• Economic Growth: Significant boost to regional development
• Environmental Concerns: Coal-based chemical production is carbon-intensive
• Technology Needs: Carbon capture solutions will be critical
• Community Impact: Land repurposing may raise local concerns

Broader Context

India has been actively exploring coal-to-chemicals projects to diversify its energy mix. Odisha, with its abundant coal reserves and industrial infrastructure, is emerging as a key destination for such ventures. Adani’s pivot from traditional coal power generation to chemical production reflects a strategic shift toward value-added resource utilization, in line with global trends.

ReNew Secures $95M LeapFrog-Led Investment to Boost C&I Clean Energy

ReNew Energy Global Plc has secured a major $95 million equity investment led by LeapFrog Investments, with co-investors Emerging Market Climate Action Fund (EMCAF) and Carlyle AlpInvest. The funds will be used to expand ReNew’s fast-growing Commercial & Industrial (C&I) renewable energy platform in India.

Key Highlights of the Investment

• Total Investment: $95 million (~₹878 crore)
• Lead Investor: LeapFrog Investments, contributing $50 million
• Co-Investors: EMCAF and Carlyle AlpInvest
• Date Announced: March 16, 2026
• Purpose: Expansion of ReNew Green Energy Solutions’ C&I renewable energy portfolio

ReNew Green Energy Solutions (C&I Platform)

• Portfolio Size: Over 2–2.5 GW of commissioned capacity across multiple Indian states
• Corporate Clients: Long-term agreements with Microsoft, Amazon, Google
• Market Position: One of India’s largest clean energy portfolios for corporate customers
• Focus: Decarbonization solutions tailored for commercial and industrial clients
  

ReNew’s Previous Fundraises

ReNew Energy has raised significant capital through multiple fundraises over the years, including equity rounds from global investors and large-scale green bond issuances. ReNew's earlier fundraises include billion‑dollar equity commitments and landmark bond deals.

Equity Funding

• Total Equity Raised: ~$1.64 billion since inception
• Key Investors: CPP Investments, Goldman Sachs, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)
• Use of Funds: Scaling utility-scale wind, solar, and hybrid projects across India

Debt & Bond Issuances

• April 2023 – $400 Million Green Bonds: Raised via subsidiary Diamond II, with strong investor interest from US, Europe, and Asia
• Purpose: Refinancing dollar-denominated debt and supporting growth initiatives
• Significance: First high-yield issuance out of India in over a year

Snapshot Table of Fundraises

Year	Amount	Type	Investors/Details	Purpose
2026	$95M	Equity	LeapFrog, EMCAF, Carlyle AlpInvest	Expand C&I renewable platform
2023	$400M	Green Bonds	Diamond II subsidiary issuance	Debt refinancing & growth
2011–2022	$1.64B	Equity	CPP Investments, Goldman Sachs, ADIA	Utility-scale wind & solar expansion

Sumant Sinha, Founder, Chairman & CEO, ReNew said, “The C&I industry will be central to India’s decarbonisation journey, and with investors like LeapFrog, we can deepen our ability to provide reliable, cost‑competitive renewable power to leading businesses across sectors. This partnership helps us scale solutions that reduce emissions, strengthen energy security, and support India’s industrial growth in a way that is both sustainable and inclusive.”

Nakul Zaveri, Global Co-Lead for Climate Investment Strategy, LeapFrog Investments said, “This investment exemplifies LeapFrog’s climate strategy of backing high-growth, scalable businesses that enable emerging markets to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilient energy systems. ReNew Green addresses a clear and rapidly-growing demand for reliable renewable energy solutions among commercial and industrial customers, underpinned by structural tailwinds and a sustained green discount compared to grid tariffs. We believe this platform can deliver strong commercial performance while driving meaningful emissions reduction and job creation at scale.”