INDIA: Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has selected Honeywell to supply advanced technology, services, proprietary catalysts, and equipment to help enable the refinery to process a wider range of crude and double the production capacity at Africa’s largest refinery in Lekki, Nigeria by 2028.

Dangote will leverage Honeywell’s refining and petrochemical processing solutions, which help customers reduce production costs, improve efficiency, and increase throughput, to grow its refining capacity from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million barrels per day over the next three years. With this expansion, Dangote will become the world’s largest petroleum refinery, strengthening in-continent fuel production, reducing reliance on imports, and supporting local energy security needs.

“Our continued collaboration with Honeywell marks a significant milestone not only for Dangote’s refinery, but for Nigeria’s energy sector as a whole,” said Aliko Dangote, President, Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE. “Through the use of Honeywell’s proven, advanced technologies, we can set new production standards for the industry while contributing to Nigeria’s energy independence and economic growth.”

For nearly a decade, Honeywell has been providing process technology to Dangote’s Lekki refinery. Going forward, this expansion project will enable it to maximize the existing equipment and infrastructure – providing the greatest return on investment and accelerating the project timeline and ultimately speed to market.

“Honeywell is committed to delivering groundbreaking technologies that empower customers, drive operational excellence, and support regional energy security efforts,” said Rajesh Gattupalli, President, Honeywell UOP. “Our work with Dangote demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can help enhance regional energy independence and support Africa’s growing energy needs.”

In addition, Dangote will also license Honeywell’s Oleflex technology, which converts propane to propylene through catalytic dehydrogenation, to produce 750,000 metric tons per year of propylene. With this agreement, Dangote will increase its total production of polypropylene – the primary component in a variety of plastic products, including packaging materials – to 2.4 million metric tons per year.

Dangote’s Lekki facility is the largest single-train refinery in the world, producing Euro-V quality gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel along with polypropylene, a primary component used in plastics and packaging.

With more than a century of experience in the energy sector, Honeywell’s process technologies and catalysts have been licensed to more than 6,000 refineries and industrial facilities globally.

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INDIA: Setting a new milestone & fostering its strong partnership with BMW Group India, Force Motors today announced the roll-out of the 100,000^th engine from its state-of-the-art engine assembly facility in Chennai. A BMW X5 has received this special 100,000^th engine.

This landmark not only reiterates a significant achievement in volume but also emphasizes the success of a decade-long partnership built on engineering excellence, shared values, and a firm commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The commemorative roll-out was carried out in the presence of dignitaries from both Force Motors Ltd. as well as the BMW Group, namely Mr. Marcus Wollens, Vice President, BMW-Production Network 2, BMW AG & Mr. Thomas Dose, Managing Director, BMW Group Plant Chennai, along with Mr. Prasan Firodia, Managing Director, Force Motors Ltd.

Established in 2015, the Chennai facility was set up exclusively to manufacture engines for the full range of BMW cars produced in India. With advanced automated lines, stringent quality controls, digitally integrated operations & highly skilled employees, the Chennai facility meets BMW Group’s global manufacturing standards while contributing significantly to its India operations. Over the years, it has become a vital part of BMW Group’s localization strategy, ensuring seamless integration of global excellence with local capabilities.

Marcus Wollens, Vice President, BMW Production Network 2, BMW AG, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate the roll-out of the 100,000th BMW engine at Force Motors Chennai Plant, which is the result of a decade of outstanding partnership and dedication. Our engines stand for excellent engineering, innovative technology, and high performance. This partnership reinforces BMW Group’s commitment to delivering world-class products in India. The 100,000^th engine milestone stands as a testament to our shared vision and exemplifies the robust Indo-German synergy that continues to thrive.”

Thomas Dose, Managing Director, BMW Group Plant Chennai, said, “BMW Group Plant Chennai takes pride in producing cars that have the same international quality standards as any of the BMW Group production and assembly facilities worldwide. Our valuable partnership with Force Motors sets higher benchmarks not only in quality standards but also in our steadfast commitment to ‘Make in India’ and localisation. The roll-out of the 100,000^th engine is a proud moment that reflects the strength of our robust cooperation with Force Motors.”

Also sharing his views on the occasion, Prasan Firodia, Managing Director of Force Motors Ltd. added, “This year marks a decade that the Force Motors’ state-of-the-art engine assembly plant in Chennai has been in operation, and it gives us immense pleasure to be able to celebrate this significant roll-out of the 100,000^th engine. We are honoured to be a trusted and strategic partner to BMW Group in India, and this milestone stands testimony to the commitment, precision, and quality that this collaboration resonates. 

“As BMW Group India continues to expand its presence, Force Motors remains committed to supporting its growth through best-in-class manufacturing, operational excellence, and playing a role in making world-class automotive components in India,”.

The collaboration between BMW Group India and Force Motors is an outstanding example of what Indo-German industrial cooperation can achieve. Both companies have worked closely to deliver high-performance powertrains that go into some of BMW’s most popular models in India, supporting the broader goal of building world-class products within the country. The successful roll-out of 100,000 engines is not just a manufacturing accomplishment—it is a testament to vision, collaboration, and execution at scale.

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Bharat Forge Vice Chairman & Jt MD  Amit Kalyani, said: “It gives us immense pleasure to partner with a global leader of technological products ‘Compal’ for manufacturing servers in India. This association will give a strong impetus to India’s manufacturing competitiveness. We are ecstatic and encouraged by the trust they have reposed in the Kalyani group for the proposed association.”

Tony Bonadero, CEO of Compal, stated, “We are very pleased to collaborate with Kalyani Powertrain. Compal is actively advancing its server business and establishing multiple partnerships. Kalyani Powertrain’s extensive experience in the Indian market will create synergistic effects in our collaboration. We look forward to this being just the beginning, with more ICT-related business opportunities in the future to create greater value together.”

Additionally, the electronics division of Kalyani Powertrain announced the launch of Made in India servers from their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra in February 2025. “The factory is poised to stimulate local businesses, attract and contribute significantly to the region’s manufacturing potential,” said the company in a filing with the exchanges.

Advancing India’s AI, Cloud, and Data Center Ecosystem

This collaboration plays a crucial role in bolstering India’s Make in India initiative by fostering local manufacturing and reducing dependency on imports. The collaboration will empower enterprises, cloud providers, hyperscalers, and government organizations with high-performance, cost-efficient server solutions tailored for AI workloads, cloud computing, and large-scale data processing.

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NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL), the leader in the Indian passenger vehicle industry, announced a production milestone of 2 million vehicles in a calendar year for the first time in its history. This makes Maruti Suzuki the only OEM in India to achieve this significant milestone in passenger vehicle production*. Maruti Suzuki also became the first among Suzuki Motor Corporation’s global automobile manufacturing facilities to reach this landmark.

Ertiga was the 2 millionth vehicle to be rolled out from the production line at the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Manesar, Haryana. Of the 2 million vehicles, almost 60% were manufactured in Haryana and 40% in Gujarat. Baleno, Fronx, Ertiga, WagonR, and Brezza were the top 5 manufactured vehicles during the calendar year 2024.

On attaining this significant milestone, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, of Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, “The 2 million production milestone is a testament to India’s manufacturing potential and our dedication to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. This achievement reflects our commitment, alongside our supplier and dealer partners, to driving economic growth, supporting nation-building, and making India’s automobile industry self-reliant and globally competitive. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our customers, employees, and value chain partners for their continued support and for being an integral part of this historic journey.”

 Historic Moment: Maruti Suzuki’s production crosses 2 million in a calendar year

Maruti Suzuki currently operates three manufacturing facilities: two in Haryana (Gurgaon and Manesar) and one in Gujarat (Hansalpur). Together, these facilities have a combined annual production capability of 2.35 million units. In anticipation of growing demand for automobiles in India and worldwide, the Company plans to expand its annual production capacity to 4 million units. For this, it is establishing a new greenfield manufacturing facility in Kharkhoda, Haryana. Construction work at the Kharkhoda site is progressing as per plan and the first plant with an annual capacity of 2.50 lakh units is expected to be operational in 2025. Once fully operational, the Kharkhoda facility will have a planned capacity of 1 million units per year. Additionally, Maruti Suzuki is planning another greenfield facility with an annual capacity of 1 million units and is in the process of identifying a suitable location for this new facility.

A shining example of Make in India, Maruti Suzuki contributes to almost 40% of total passenger vehicle exports from India. Maruti Suzuki has been the top passenger vehicle exporter for the last 3 consecutive years. It exports 17 models to around 100 countries worldwide. The Company’s top export models include Fronx, Jimny, Baleno, Dzire, and Swift.

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Since commencing production in 1999, the site has expanded its capacity to produce 60,000 tractors annually. Currently, the Greater Noida plant manufactures tractors, engines, Power Take Offs (PTOs), and axles for the domestic market and exports to over 75 countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and North America.

“I’m delighted to celebrate the milestone of manufacturing 700,000 tractors together with our CEO and the India team. This accomplishment underscores our dedication to ‘Made in India’ and advancing agricultural development in the country,” commented Narinder Mittal, Country Manager & Managing Director, CNH India & SAARC. “It is a result of our team’s hard work and reaffirms our customers’ trust in our products. India holds a significant position on the international stage, offering immense opportunities and scale. Our focus on technology and innovation will continue to drive our success here.”

Spread over 60 acres, the Greater Noida plant is one of the most advanced tractor manufacturing sites in the country with some 1,200 employees. The facility prides itself on promoting sustainability, using energy from solar panels installed on its roof, and its ongoing afforestation project that adopts the Miyawaki Project Methodology – namely densely planting a range of native woodland plants.

CNH India operates in the country through its Case IH, New Holland, and CASE Construction Equipment brands, delivering for over 25 years on its promise to provide world-class products from its ‘Made in India’ operations. In 2018, the company launched its financing arm CNH Capital India to offer financing solutions across its portfolio.

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PUNE: Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) is celebrating a series of significant achievements at its state-of-the-art vehicle and engine manufacturing facility in Chakan, India.

Since its inception, SAVWIPL has played a pivotal role in India’s automotive landscape. The company has surpassed a remarkable milestone, having produced over 1.5 million vehicles at its Chakan Plant since it rolled out the first car – the Skoda Fabia in 2009 from the facility. This achievement includes iconic models from the Volkswagen Group such as the VW Vento and Polo, Škoda Fabia and Rapid along with new-age models based on the famed MQB-A0-IN platform – VW Taigun and Virtus, Škoda Kushaq and Slavia.

Over the past years, the Engine Shop at the Chakan facility has produced more than 300,000 units of world-class and highly efficient engines for the Volkswagen Group. This achievement is further strengthened by SAVWIPL’s dedication to domestic sourcing, with the 1.0L TSI engines highly relying on components manufactured within India. This commitment aligns perfectly with the nation’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. SAVWIPL has also established a well-balanced approach to automation. While leveraging technology for efficiency, the company recognizes the value of human expertise and continues to hone local talent further leveraging the ‘Skill India’ movement.

Adding to the list of accomplishments, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India also celebrated the 300,000 unit production milestone for the popular INDIA 2.0 car range, which includes VW Taigun and Virtus, Škoda Kushaq, and Slavia. Engineered in India, For India, and the World these are some of the safest made-in-India cars having achieved a full five-star safety rating for both adult and child occupants by the Global NCAP.

Looking beyond domestic production, SAVWIPL actively contributes to India’s global presence as a manufacturing hub. The company proudly exports over 30% of its car production, showcasing Indian capabilities and quality standards on the international stage. The Group has exports to over 40 countries and is among the top four exporters of India-made cars.

Commenting on these milestones, Andreas Dick, Škoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Production and Logistics, said, “In today’s ever-evolving global arena, India emerges as a vital contributor to Skoda Auto’s production prowess. The milestones achieved by Škoda Auto Volkswagen India resonate far beyond national borders, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation on a global scale. Our decade-long investment in the Engine Shop and the remarkable output of 1.5 million vehicles at the Chakan Plant, showcases India’s pivotal role in our global strategy. These achievements not only signify our capabilities but also highlight the immense potential of the Indian market in driving our growth trajectory forward.”

Dr Johannes Neft, Škoda Auto a.s. Board Member for Technical Development added, “Achieving the 1.5 million production milestone is a testament to the exceptional engineering capabilities of our Indian manufacturing facility. Our top-class R&D center in India plays a crucial role in driving innovation and excellence. The global team greatly values the insights and expertise, and these contributions are integral to developing new, cutting-edge products for India and the world. This highlights the strength and ingenuity of our Indian operations, positioning us at the forefront of automotive innovation worldwide.”

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited, said, “I am immensely proud of these achievements within our local landscape. The significant output of 1.5 million vehicles at our Chakan Plant, coupled with the production milestone of four successful MQB models and the 10-year journey of our Engine Shop stand testament to our dedication to India’s automotive industry and SAVWIPL’s significant contribution to the nation’s talent and workforce. As we outline our expansion plan in India, we remain steadfast in our mission to ‘Innovating Locally, Impacting Globally’. We aim to elevate India’s position as a global hub for automotive manufacturing, aligning with the national mission of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, driving growth and prosperity within our communities”.

By prioritizing research and development (R&D), building strategic partnerships, and investing in talent development, SAVWIPL is laying the groundwork for a future focused on innovation and sustainability in the Indian automotive industry. As SAVWIPL embarks on the next phase of its journey, it remains committed to driving progress and shaping the future of mobility in India.

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The initiative will be implemented in partnership with Apollo Agriculture Limited, a leading agriculture company in Kenya, to sell fertilizers through a part of its network. Most smallholder farmers in Kenya buy fertilizers through informal credit, microfinance institutions, and commercial channels. The project will support Apollo Agriculture Limited to sell fertilizer through a part of its network, thereby improving access to fertilizers for beneficiaries.

The project is expected to improve farming productivity by facilitating access to fertilizers for beneficiaries, thereby boosting farmer income and Kenya’s food security. The Fertilizer Financing for Sustainable Agriculture Management project will improve farming productivity by facilitating access to fertilizers for beneficiaries, thereby boosting farmer income and Kenya’s food security.

“The Fertilizer Financing for Sustainable Agriculture Management project will improve farming productivity by facilitating access to fertilizers for beneficiaries,” said Marie Claire Kalihangabo, Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism Coordinator. The project will stimulate the private sector’s fertilizer financing in Kenya, improving food production and the Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation.

The fertilizer market’s leading players include importers, blenders, and the Kenyan government, which runs a fertilizer subsidy program. The project will support the distribution of over 7,000 tonnes of fertilizers to smallholder farmers in Kenya, who are the main beneficiaries of the fertilizer subsidy program. The project is expected to increase food production, income, and job creation for Kenyan farmers.

Benjamin Njenga, co-founder of Apollo Agriculture Limited, said: “Apollo Agriculture is pleased to establish a partnership with the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism to support small-scale farmers, thereby boosting farmer income and Kenya’s food security.”

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank approved the Fertilizer Financing for Sustainable Agriculture Management project because it will stimulate the private sector’s fertilizer financing in Kenya, improving food production and the Bank’s Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation. The project is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of smallholder farmers in Kenya, who are the backbone of the country’s agriculture sector.

In conclusion, the Africa Fertilizer Financing Mechanism’s commitment of over $2 million to support the distribution of fertilizers to smallholder farmers in Kenya is a significant step towards improving food production, income, and job creation for Kenyan farmers. The project, which will run between 2024 and 2026, is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of smallholder farmers in Kenya, who are the backbone of the country’s agriculture sector.

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MUMBAI: Specialty chemicals company, LANXESS laid the foundation stone for its Business Unit Rhein Chemie’s new and upcoming product line for Rhenodiv® – New Technology Release agents at its Jhagadia site. With this facility, the business unit will serve the growing demand of the Indian Tire & Rubber goods market.

The new production line will feature state-of-the-art equipment and technology, allowing LANXESS to produce high-quality technology tire release agents more efficiently. Currently, LANXESS has such a facility in Argentina. Once this facility becomes operational it will cater to the Indian Sub-continent & Asian markets.

The production of high-performance tires and molded elastomer products relies on the use of effective release agents. Process safety and low scrap rates are key for the efficient production of tires and molded elastomer articles. Rhenodiv® release agents are strictly water-based, solvent-free*, and free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and therefore, environmentally friendly. LANXESS Rhein Chemie’s business unit has the solutions, market understanding, production knowledge, and comprehensive service to support its customers at every stage of the process chain.

The laying of the foundation stone was done by Dr. Jens Hendrik Fischer, Global BU Head of Rhein Chemie, Dr. Holger Graf, Global Head of Production, and Mr. Namitesh Roy Choudhury, Vice Chairman & Managing Director LANXESS India, along with Mr. U Parmeshwara Sriganesh, BU Head Rhein Chemie India region.

The project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024.

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