As India reads labels closely, brands rush to clean up recipes

Ather Energy secured Rs 1,200 crore from investors including Hero MotoCorp. Hero MotoCorp will increase its stake to 30.68 percent after this funding. India-Japan Fund also invested nearly Rs 200 crore in the company. Promoters Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain will also receive warrants for Rs 20 crore each.

In a bold move, the Ministry of Heavy Industries is inviting bids for extensive Advanced Chemistry Cell manufacturing facilities, with enticing incentives for achieving a total capacity of ten gigawatt hours as part of the PLI ACC Scheme. This initiative is focused on grid-scale stationary storage applications, aiming to strengthen local manufacturing and decrease import dependency. Impressively, forty gigawatt hours have already been allocated to domestic producers.

Gujarat will soon establish a new shipbuilding cluster in Porbandar. A significant ship repair facility is also planned for Vadinar in the Gulf of Kutch. These projects aim to boost India's maritime infrastructure and capacity. The Vadinar facility will include a long jetty and two large floating dry docks. Both initiatives are part of the Shipbuilding Development Scheme.

Amara Raja Energy & Mobility is entering lithium-ion cell manufacturing with a measured approach. The company will initially produce standard cells for electric two-wheelers and energy storage systems. Its Customer Qualification Plant is now operational for customer testing and validation. Commercial production at the first gigafactory is slated to begin next year. Passenger vehicle programs are part of long-term plans after demonstrating manufacturing capabilities.

In a landmark transaction, Warburg Pincus, a prominent US private equity firm, has purchased Integrace Private Limited for ₹1,200 crore. With this deal, True North and Temasek Holdings have decided to divest entirely from their stakes in the company. Rehan Khan, a seasoned leader in the industry, will take the helm as CEO, steering Integrace's focus on its celebrated orthopedic and gynecological brands.

Indian quick-commerce platforms are now targeting affluent households with premium products. This strategic shift aims to improve profitability by focusing on higher-margin items. Companies are introducing imported goods and artisanal produce to attract wealthier customers. While speed was once the key differentiator, range and quality now drive competition.

The Union Cabinet approved highway projects exceeding twenty-four thousand crore rupees for Varanasi. Railway multi-tracking projects in Odisha were also approved for nearly four thousand crore rupees. These initiatives aim to significantly decongest the temple town's road network. Improved connectivity will benefit key religious and cultural landmarks in Varanasi. The projects will enhance freight traffic and support regional economic growth.