Economy & Market

Exploring the Indo-German Alliance

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2025

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ICR explores the Indo-German partnership is driving growth through collaboration in trade, technology, sustainability, and workforce development, with a strong focus on SMEs and innovation. By leveraging each other’s strengths, both nations are fostering industrial modernisation, skill development, and economic resilience for a sustainable future.

The optimism expressed by the panellists suggests that Indo-German collaboration is not only beneficial for both countries but also sets a powerful example for global partnerships.
In a rapidly evolving global economy, strategic international collaborations are more important than ever. One such partnership that continues to gain momentum is between India and Germany. This collaboration spans a wide array of sectors—from trade and technology to sustainability and workforce development—and is already delivering impressive results. The recent First Construction Council webinar, titled ‘Indo-German Partnership: Collaborating for Growth’, provided an extensive look at this vital alliance. Moderated by Rajesh Nath, Managing Director, VDMA India, the session explored the evolution, opportunities, and challenges that define the Indo-German partnership, which saw an impressive $33 billion in bilateral trade in 2023.

From Trade to Technology
The Indo-German relationship has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years, transitioning from basic trade to multifaceted cooperation. Rajesh Nath opened the session by underscoring the dynamic nature of Indo-German trade, with more than 1,800 German companies now operating in India. “Machinery accounts for nearly a third of our bilateral trade,” Nath shared, highlighting sectors such as renewable energy, digitalisation, and green hydrogen as key growth areas for the future.
V.G. Sakthikumar, Managing Director, Schwing Stetter India, reflected on his company’s own journey, which mirrors the broader evolution of the Indo-German partnership. When Schwing Stetter first set up operations in India in 1998, the country was considered a relatively small market. Today, India has become the largest manufacturing hub for Schwing Stetter, with exports flowing to markets in Europe, the U.S., and even China. “Germany trusted India to produce high-quality products at competitive prices, and now, we export machinery back to Germany and America,” said Sakthikumar, underscoring the mutual growth that has defined this partnership.

India’s Industrial Modernisation
Germany has played a pivotal role in India’s industrial modernisation, particularly in advancing manufacturing capabilities. Maanav Goel, Managing Director, Hoffmann Quality Tools India, discussed how the historical and contemporary aspects of Indo-German cooperation have shaped both nations’ industries. “Before 1947, our interactions were largely limited to cultural exchanges,” Goel said, explaining how industrial cooperation became central after India’s independence. “Today, German companies like Hoffmann have developed high-quality tools tailored to industries such as automotive and aerospace.”
Goel also pointed out that German companies have been instrumental in advancing India’s Industry 4.0 ambitions. “Sustainability is not just a cost; it’s an investment,” he added, referring to the energy-efficient and precision-engineered solutions Hoffmann provides to enhance India’s manufacturing sector.

Research, Innovation, and the Role of Technology
Innovation has always been the core of the Indo-German partnership. Anandi Iyer, Director, Fraunhofer Office India, highlighted how research and innovation are driving both countries toward a more sustainable future. As the world’s largest applied research ecosystem, Fraunhofer has introduced technologies ranging from digital twins for manufacturing to waste-to-construction materials, all aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability in Indian industries.
Reflecting on Fraunhofer’s work in India, Iyer noted that India is not just a market for technology, but a hub of entrepreneurship and rapid implementation. “We entered India in 2008, and today we earn over €70 million annually from Indian industry contracts,” she shared. Iyer also stressed the importance of democratising technology, especially for India’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “SMEs are crucial to the future of both India and Germany. By creating innovation clusters similar to Germany’s, we can ensure that technology benefits all businesses, big and small,” she said.

Cornerstone of Growth
SMEs are a critical focus in the Indo-German partnership. Manoj Barve, India Head, BVMW, emphasised their importance in both countries. “In Germany, SMEs contribute 55 per cent to GDP and employ 60 per cent of the workforce,” Barve said. “India’s SMEs, which contribute 30 per cent to the country’s GDP, are equally important for job creation and economic growth.”
Barve also discussed the complementary strengths of India and Germany. India’s prowess in IT, coupled with Germany’s engineering expertise, provides a fertile ground for collaboration. “Germany’s advanced technology can support India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, while India’s cost-effective manufacturing can help Germany tackle its energy-led inflation,” he explained.
Gender diversity was another issue Barve touched upon, pointing out that Germany’s workforce is 62 per cent female, supported by policies such as parental leave and flexible working hours. “India, at 37 per cent, has room to grow in this area,” he added. “Addressing issues like workplace safety and societal norms can help unlock the full potential of Indian women in the workforce.”

Navigating Challenges and Expanding Reach
The webinar also addressed the challenges that SMEs face when attempting to expand internationally. Nitin Pangam, Managing Director, Maeflower Consulting, emphasised the need for deeper market insights and sustained engagement to succeed globally. “SMEs need to understand target markets better, whether it’s leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S. or tapping into infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia,” Pangam said.
He also stressed the importance of government support for SMEs. “Institutions like Invest India and VDMA India play a crucial role in guiding SMEs toward international expansion,” Pangam added, suggesting that India could benefit from models like Enterprise Ireland’s, which helps SMEs navigate global markets.

Shared Responsibility
An often overlooked but vital aspect of Indo-German collaboration is skill development. Schwing Stetter’s Sakthikumar discussed how the company has been proactive in training operators and welders, addressing the significant skills gap in India’s construction machinery sector. “We have partnered with state governments to create training programs that produce highly skilled workers, and some of our welding schools have produced global champions,” he shared.
Iyer also highlighted the potential for India to adopt Germany’s dual education system, which sees 5 per cent of the workforce engaged in training at any given time. “This system can be a model for India, where industry-driven skill programs can help bridge the skills gap and align workers with evolving technologies,” Iyer explained.

Looking to the Future
The future of the Indo-German partnership lies in embracing sustainability, digitalisation, and workforce empowerment. Rajesh Nath summarised the webinar’s discussions, emphasising that sustainability and supply chain resilience will play a defining role in the relationship moving forward. “Leveraging technology and deepening institutional collaboration are key to the future,” Nath concluded, signalling the importance of continued cooperation in these areas.
The optimism expressed by the panellists suggests that Indo-German collaboration is not only beneficial for both countries but also sets a powerful example for global partnerships. As Iyer aptly remarked, “The future is bright, but it requires strategic steps to make SMEs and innovation the engines of growth.”
The Indo-German partnership represents a model of what strategic international cooperation can achieve. By focusing on trade, technology, sustainability, and workforce development, both nations have been able to create a mutually beneficial relationship that drives growth and innovation. As India and Germany move forward, their cooperation will serve as a blueprint for growth in the years to come.

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Wonder Cement appoints Mahesh Singh as VP Corporate Brand Communication

Published

2 days ago

October 9, 2026

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Singh brings 20+ years of brand and marketing experience, and will lead integrated corporate brand communication initiatives at Wonder Cement

New Delhi

Wonder Cement, a leading cement manufacturer, has appointed Mahesh Singh as Vice President – Corporate Brand Communication. In his new role, he will oversee corporate brand strategy and communication, including digital and performance marketing, public relations, trade, events, exhibitions, sports and experiential marketing.

Singh brings over two decades of experience across marketing and communications, with roles spanning the automotive industry, agencies and entrepreneurship. He spent more than a decade with Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, working across integrated communication, media, digital, retail and consumer engagement. His stint also included helping build the company’s digital marketing capabilities.

He moved to dentsu X India as Vice President – Strategy & Planning, working across categories such as automotive, auto components, electric vehicles, FMCG, consumer electronics, BFSI, apparel and brand consulting. His responsibilities included media and marketing strategy, product launches, content, performance marketing and consumer activations.

Singh subsequently took an entrepreneurial route with Radiant Brands before joining Shriram Ltd (SPR Autotech) as Head – Marketing & Communications. There, his remit included brand and corporate strategy, communications, PR and ORM, retail identity, loyalty programmes and events.

At Wonder Cement, Singh will be responsible for bringing together the company’s corporate brand communication initiatives across digital, performance marketing, PR, trade, sports and experiential platforms. The role will focus on creating an integrated approach to communication across consumers, trade partners and other key stakeholders.

The appointment brings to Wonder Cement a marketer whose career has spanned the brand, agency and entrepreneurial sides of the communications ecosystem.

Wonder Cement, part of the RK Group, is a cement manufacturer with roots in Rajasthan and a focus on quality, trust and transparency. The company has grown to six manufacturing plants, and a cement capacity of 21.5 MTPA. With more than 2,000 employees and a network of over 5,000 dealers, its operations span manufacturing, distribution and customer engagement, with a focus on consistent product quality and efficient execution.

Concrete

JSW Cement commissions additional 1 MTPA grinding unit at Nagaur

Published

3 days ago

October 8, 2026

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With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA,
Mumbai

JSW Cement, one of India’s leading green cement producers and part of the diversified JSW Group, today announced the successful commissioning of an additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit at Nagaur, Rajasthan. The commissioning marks another significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy.

With this commissioning, JSW Cement’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 25.10 MTPA, while its total clinker manufacturing capacity, including clinker capacity at its joint venture, JSW Cement FZC, stands at 9.74 MTPA.

JSW Cement had commenced operations in North India in March 2026 with the Nagaur Integrated Plant, comprising a 3.30 MTPA clinkerisation unit and 2.50 MTPA cement grinding unit. With the commissioning of the additional 1.00 MTPA cement grinding unit, the plant’s total cement grinding capacity has increased to 3.50 MTPA, enhancing the company’s ability to cater to the growing cement demand across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion has been funded through a strategic mix of equity and long-term debt.

During the quarter ended 30th September 2026, JSW Cement has also commissioned the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) at the Nagaur Integrated Plant.

Nilesh Narwekar, CEO, JSW Cement, said: “The commissioning of additional 1.00 MTPA grinding capacity at Nagaur is a key strategic priority for us and will accelerate JSW Cement’s expansion into North India. We look forward to servicing the growing needs of the region and contributing to the economic growth of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and the NCR area. I am delighted to share that the company has commissioned this grinding unit within the expected timeline, showcasing our project execution capabilities. Further, the Alternate Fuel Handling System and the Waste Heat Recovery system (WHRS) are expected to substantially reduce our production costs going forward.”

Concrete

UltraTech becomes first Indian cement firm to cross 2 GW green energy

Published

4 days ago

October 7, 2026

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UltraTech Cement has crossed 2 GW of captive green energy capacity, with renewables and waste heat recovery meeting 48 per cent of its power needs.

Mumbai

UltraTech Cement Limited has surpassed 2 GW of installed green energy capacity for captive use, becoming the first cement company in India to achieve the milestone. The Aditya Birla Group company commissioned 116.55 MW of wind capacity at its Inter-State Transmission System-connected wind-solar hybrid project in Barmer, Rajasthan, along with 10 MW of Waste Heat Recovery System capacity at Sarlanagar Cement Works in Karnataka.

With these additions, UltraTech’s cumulative installed green energy capacity has reached 2,024 MW. This includes 1,580 MW of renewable energy capacity and 444 MW of waste heat recovery capacity, together meeting around 48 per cent of the company’s current power requirements.

The company said the milestone reflects the progress of its long-term energy transition strategy. In FY27 so far, nearly one-third of UltraTech’s 76 manufacturing units in India have maintained green energy utilisation above 50 per cent of their electricity requirements, while five units have crossed 95 per cent.

K C Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited, said, “Crossing the 2 GW green energy milestone is the result of a strategy we have pursued consistently over the past decade. Cement is an energy-intensive, hard-to-abate sector, and showing that reliability and growth can go hand in hand with a rapid shift to green energy sets a benchmark for the industry. With nearly half of our power needs now met through green energy, we are significantly less exposed to fossil fuel supply constraints and power price volatility. As we scale up renewables, waste heat recovery and battery storage across our operations, we are building an energy foundation for stable, long-term growth.”

UltraTech commissioned 430 MW of green energy capacity in FY26 and continues to expand its renewable energy and waste heat recovery portfolio.

The company is also progressively integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems across its operations to improve renewable energy utilisation and supply reliability.

In 2025, UltraTech operationalised what it described as India’s first on-site hybrid round-the-clock renewable energy project at Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The project combines solar, wind and battery storage.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, UltraTech said it has not invested in new captive thermal power capacity for either greenfield projects or brownfield expansions at its integrated units for more than a decade.

The company said its expanding green energy portfolio is helping reduce dependence on conventional grid electricity and fossil fuel-based power, while lowering exposure to fluctuations in coal and electricity prices.

UltraTech aims to increase green energy’s share in its total power mix to 85 per cent by 2030. As a member of RE100, it has also committed to meeting 100 per cent of its electricity requirement through renewable sources by 2050.

UltraTech Cement, the cement flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has a total grey cement capacity of 210.1 MTPA and white cement and putty capacity of 3.5 MTPA. The company is also a signatory to the GCCA Climate Ambition 2050 and has committed to the GCCA Net Zero Concrete roadmap.