Business

AM/NS India Targets Growing Appliance & Industrial Demand with New Steel Brands


Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) has announced the expansion of its value-added steel portfolio with the launch of two premium branded offerings โ€” AM/NS Vibrance and AM/NS Optima โ€” designed to meet the evolving, design-led requirements of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across appliance and industrial manufacturing sectors.


The move comes amid rising demand for steel solutions that deliver superior surface precision, consistent quality, tight tolerances, and reliable performance at scale. By introducing globally benchmarked products manufactured domestically, AM/NS India aims to reduce reliance on imports while supporting Indiaโ€™s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

Speaking on the development, Ranjan Dhar, Director and Vice President โ€“ Sales & Marketing at AM/NS India, highlighted that material choice directly impacts productivity, cost efficiency, and long-term performance for OEMs. He noted that the introduction of Vibrance and Optima strengthens the companyโ€™s position as a solution provider aligned with its brand promise, โ€œSmarter Steels, Brighter Futures.โ€

AM/NS Vibrance โ€“ Premium Colour-Coated Steel

AM/NS Vibrance is engineered as a high-end colour-coated steel solution tailored for appliance manufacturers. As home appliances increasingly become visible design elements, manufacturers require materials that offer consistent colour, controlled gloss, refined finishes, and durability.

Built using advanced coating technology over precision-engineered substrates, Vibrance ensures dependable performance from fabrication to end use. It is particularly suited for applications such as refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, and water dispensers โ€” combining aesthetics with structural strength.

AM/NS Optima โ€“ True Zero-Spangle Galvanised Steel

AM/NS Optima is positioned among Indiaโ€™s most premium True Zero-Spangle Galvanised Steel offerings. It provides enhanced surface uniformity compared to conventional galvanised steel, enabling manufacturers to achieve cleaner, more consistent finishes.

Manufactured on precision-engineered substrates with tightly controlled thickness and surface quality, Optima offers predictable bending, visual harmony, and consistent production performance. It is well-suited for applications including AC outdoor units, panels, and cleanroom installations.

Growing Market Opportunity

Indiaโ€™s consumer durables market is projected to become the worldโ€™s fourth largest by FY27, with rapid premiumisation driving demand for flawless finishes and design-forward products. Annual coated steel demand in India currently stands at 11.1 million tonnes and is expected to grow at an 8โ€“10% CAGR in the coming years. Within the appliance segment, coated steel consumption is expanding at approximately 10% annually, supported by urbanisation, rising aspirations, and policy initiatives such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.

Demand from industrial applications is also projected to grow at an 8โ€“12% CAGR through 2030, driven by self-reliance initiatives and the expansion of automotive, electronics, and engineering sectors.

With the launch of Vibrance and Optima, AM/NS India reinforces the strategic role of high-quality value-added steel in powering Indiaโ€™s manufacturing growth while enabling OEMs to build differentiated, globally competitive products.

National

Goa to Host India Energy Week 2026 as Cairn Oil & Gas Reinforces Commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat


Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Cairn Oil & Gas, part of the Vedanta Group and Indiaโ€™s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, will participate in the 4th edition of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, to be held in Goa from January 27 to 30. The companyโ€™s presence at Indiaโ€™s flagship energy exhibition and conference will highlight its role in strengthening domestic energy production and advancing Indiaโ€™s journey towards energy self-reliance.


At IEW 2026, Cairn will showcase its engineering excellence and innovation-led approach that is driving the next phase of growth in Indiaโ€™s oil and gas sector. The company will spotlight its strategy focused on technology-led exploration, data-optimised operations, and advanced digital solutions aimed at unlocking Indiaโ€™s vast hydrocarbon potential.

In alignment with the national vision of Samudra Manthan (National Deepwater Exploration Mission), Cairn will demonstrate the successful adoption of advanced technologies in offshore exploration and development. Among the key highlights will be one of the countryโ€™s first 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) survey techniques deployed for deepwater exploration in the Krishna-Godavari basin on the East Coast.

For shallow water development, Cairn will also showcase Indiaโ€™s first Sub-Sea Template installed for the development of the first Discovered Small Field (DSF) block on the West Coast. These engineering milestones will be presented at the Cairn Arena during the event.

India Energy Week attracts global industry experts and stakeholders, providing a platform to highlight Indiaโ€™s hydrocarbon potential and invite global partnerships and investments. At the event, Cairn will explore strategic collaborations while spotlighting forward-looking technological innovations and digital solutions shaping the future of energy.

Cairn will also host a series of technical talks covering topics such as data-driven reservoir management as a new frontier for maximising production, performance insights from the Jaya gas field in western onshore Indiaโ€”the first field developed under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP)โ€”fracturing in the Raageshwari Deep Gas project, and other digital initiatives driving operational excellence.

In a celebration of Indiaโ€™s cultural diversity, Cairn will showcase the traditions of the North East by bringing indigenous women artisans from Assam to present their handwoven textiles. Through the initiative โ€˜Threads of Assam โ€“ Woven by the Baidewsโ€™, the company has supported nearly 5,000 women artisans, enabling financial independence while providing national visibility to their craft.

Industry leaders, policymakers, and investors are invited to visit the Cairn Arena (Stall No. 4H12, Hall 4, ONGC ATI, Goa) to witness how Cairn is engineering energy self-reliance while contributing to a sustainable and resilient energy ecosystem.

Cairnโ€™s continued focus on expanding onshore and offshore development reinforces its commitment to doubling domestic hydrocarbon production and strengthening Indiaโ€™s long-term energy security.

Business

Thales Strengthens India Presence with Appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice President


New Delhi, September 10, 2025 โ€” Thales, a global leader in aerospace, defense, and digital security, has announced the appointment of Ankur Kanaglekar as Vice President for India. The appointment, effective 10 September 2025, signals a significant step in the companyโ€™s commitment to expanding its operations and deepening engagement with the Indian market.

With this leadership change, Thales aims to accelerate its strategy of building robust local partnerships, fostering innovation, and aligning with Indiaโ€™s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

โ€œThis appointment underscores Thalesโ€™ long-term commitment to India. We are focused on leveraging global expertise while fostering indigenous capabilities that contribute to Indiaโ€™s defense and aerospace ecosystem,โ€ the company stated.

Kanaglekarโ€™s leadership will be instrumental in driving Thalesโ€™ India operations forward, strengthening collaboration with government, industry, and academia, while promoting research and innovation tailored for Indian needs.

Thales has a longstanding presence in India, with initiatives across defense, aerospace, digital identity, and cybersecurity. The company continues to support โ€˜Make in Indiaโ€™ through joint ventures, technology transfers, and skill development programs.

With Ankur Kanaglekar at the helm, Thales is poised to further expand its footprint and reinforce its role as a trusted partner in Indiaโ€™s journey toward self-reliance and technological advancement.

Automobiles

India Accelerates Towards Green Mobility: PM Modi Flags Off Suzukiโ€™s First Made-in-India EV for Global Markets


India took a bold stride towards becoming a global hub for green mobility as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two landmark initiatives at the Suzuki Motor Plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat. The event marked a transformative moment in Indiaโ€™s green energy journey, reinforcing the governmentโ€™s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.

At the center of this historic day was the launch of Suzukiโ€™s first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)โ€”the e-VITARAโ€”which will now be manufactured in India and exported to over 100 countries, including advanced markets like Europe and Japan. This development officially positions India as Suzukiโ€™s global production hub for electric vehicles.

In a parallel breakthrough, PM Modi also launched domestic production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. This step signifies a crucial shift in Indiaโ€™s EV supply chain dynamics, ensuring that over 80% of the battery value is now manufactured within the country.

PM Modi highlighted that what began over a decade ago, when land was first allotted to Maruti Suzuki in Gujarat, has now matured into a global export powerhouse. He emphasized that the new EV initiatives reflect both Indiaโ€™s engineering capacity and its growing importance in global value chains. He praised the late Osamu Suzukiโ€™s vision and the expansion of India-Japan cooperation in manufacturing and innovation.

Acknowledging the broader significance of the developments, the Prime Minister noted that India is now exporting carsโ€”and electric vehiclesโ€”back to Japan, a testament to India’s rising capabilities and global trust in its manufacturing standards. He stressed that companies like Suzuki are not just foreign investors, but brand ambassadors of Indiaโ€™s industrial transformation.

Further emphasizing clean mobility, PM Modi announced plans for hybrid ambulances, developed within just six months by Maruti Suzuki, as part of the โ‚น11,000 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme. These vehicles are set to modernize emergency services while aligning with Indiaโ€™s clean energy goals.

The Prime Minister also reaffirmed India’s dedication to building a strong domestic EV ecosystem. Until recently, India imported nearly all its EV batteries, but now, with the local production of hybrid battery components, the nation is moving quickly toward self-reliance. PM Modi noted that initiatives like the National Critical Mineral Mission, which will launch over 1,200 exploration campaigns, aim to secure rare earth minerals essential for EVs and semiconductors.

PM Modi credited sustained reforms over the past decade for the dramatic growth in manufacturingโ€”electronics production has grown by 500%, mobile phone output by 2,700%, and defence production by over 200%. He emphasized that the focus on plug-and-play infrastructure, logistics parks, and PLI schemes have transformed India into a competitive industrial destination.

Highlighting the depth of India-Japan ties, PM Modi shared how Japan played a key role in the early editions of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, and how personal efforts were made to ensure comfort and cultural integration for Japanese investorsโ€”from golf courses to cuisine. He announced that he would be visiting Japan next week, further reinforcing the strength of the bilateral relationship.

The Prime Minister concluded by calling on Indian states to compete in attracting global investors through reform-driven, pro-development policies. He expressed confidence that the initiatives launched today will lay the foundation for a developed India by 2047, with Japan continuing to be one of the country’s most trusted partners on that journey.

Also present at the ceremony were Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel, Japanโ€™s Ambassador to India H.E. Mr. Ono Keiichi, and senior executives from Suzuki Motor Corporation.

National

Indian Coast Guard Begins Construction of First Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle in Goa


In a landmark move bolstering Indiaโ€™s maritime defence self-reliance, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officially began construction of its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) on July 30, 2025. The ceremony, known as the Girder Laying and Commencement of Erection, was held at the Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. shipyard in Goa.

The ACV is based on the globally proven designs of Griffon Hoverwork (UK) and is being adapted and built using Indian expertise to serve a wide range of coastal and offshore missions. These hovercraft are specially designed to operate in shallow waters, offering rapid deployment and flexibility for missions such as coastal patrolling, interdiction, and search and rescue operations.

The ceremony was attended by ICG Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), who highlighted the strategic importance of this development in Indiaโ€™s defence manufacturing landscape.

This construction marks the first ACV in a series of six, under a contract signed on October 24, 2024, between the Ministry of Defence and Chowgule & Company. The initiative underscores the Indian Coast Guardโ€™s steadfast commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission, aiming to reduce dependency on foreign equipment and bolster operational autonomy.

Once inducted, these vessels will add a powerful new dimension to Indiaโ€™s coastal response force, offering unmatched speed and manoeuvrability in dynamic maritime environments. The move reflects the growing synergy between public and private sector defence firms in building a self-reliant defence ecosystem.