JULY 20258AIFI & BEE PARTNERS TO BOOST ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN FORGING SECTORRENK OPENS NEW INDIA PLANT TO BOOST DEFENCE, INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY CHAINIn a significant move to drive sustainability in India's forging industry, the Association of Indian Forging Industry (AIFI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies across forging MSMEs under BEE's Accelerating Deployment of Energy Efficient Technologies in MSMEs (ADEETIE) initiative.RENK, a Germany-based leader in defence and industrial technologies, has established a modern manufacturing centre in Tamil Nadu, enabling a larger role for India in global supply chains and the nation's own domestic defence ecosystem.Thenext-generation factory is located in Shoolagiri, Tamil Nadu's Defence Industrial Corridor. The facility has an area of approximately 7,000 sq m, and is designed to manufacture heavy-duty gear units, high-performance gearboxes and couplings that are utilized in sectors that include defence, The agreement was signed in Panipat, Haryana, in the presence of Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal, underscoring the government's strong push towards decarbonizing energy-intensive sectors like forging.This collaboration will focus on introducing advanced energy-saving technologies such as induction heating systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and energy-efficient furnaces. It also brings technical support, training programs, and access to financial assistance for MSMEs to make this transition smoother and more impactful.Forging units--especially those in major industrial clusters like Ludhiana and Pune--stand to benefit from lower energy costs, enhanced competitiveness, and improved compliance with evolving environmental standards. The move is expected to not only cut operational expenses but also help manufacturers align with India's long-term net-zero goals.By combining technical expertise with policy support and funding pathways, the AIFI-BEE partnership is poised to become a transformational force for forging businesses seeking sustainable growth in a challenging global market. This MoU marks a key step toward making the Indian forging industry cleaner, smarter, and future-ready. cement, power and energy. The components will supply domestic and overseas markets in addition to growing defence capabilities in India.The plant fulfills a growing need for indigenous production of defence-related equipment as India seeks to seek to encourage local private production of defence capabilities through "Make in India." RENK has supplied India's military through a long-standing contract, and has sold drivetrain systems for flagship programs, such as the Arjun Main Battle Tank and the INS Vikrant. The company is preparing its business for future defence procurements that include the Light Tank and new naval platforms.The RENK strategy is based on 'local-for-local' and 'local-for-global' and operational flexibility for the current manufacturing requirements and for future growth opportunity. The plant is taking advantage of great logistical connectivity with its location near NH-44 and the XII Bengaluru airport corridor and within a modern infrastructure that services its supply chains.RENK described the investment as a long-term commitment to India's strategic ambitions, emphasizing trust, partnership, and shared growth. The move not only reinforces RENK's global manufacturing footprint but also gives a significant boost to India's defence manufacturing capabilities and export potential. TOP STORIESTOP STORIESTOP STORIES
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