8SEPTEMBER, 2025TOP STORIESTOP STORIESASHOK LEYLAND SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH CALB FOR NEXT-GEN BATTERIESOPTIEMUS OPENS INDIA'S FIRST TEMPERED GLASS PLANT IN NOIDAAshok Leyland has formed a long-term exclusive partnership with CALB Group, a Chinese battery technology company, to jointly develop and manufacture next-generation batteries.The flagship company of Hinduja Group has confirmed that it intends to invest 5,000 crore in the next 7-10 years to promote innovation in advanced battery solutions for automotive and non-automotive backgrounds, including energy systems.The strategic agreement was signed by Shenu Agarwal, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland, and Jacky Liu, CEO of CALB (HK) Co. Ltd., in the presence of Shom Hinduja, President of Hinduja Group."Our strategic partnership with CALB is a significant step towards creating a localised battery supply chain in India to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles in India and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said.The company will establish a Global Centre of Excellence for research and development, "fostering innovation in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing processes," company's CEO said.The new facility is expected to support the electric vehicle portfolio of Ashok Leyland and Switch Mobility, and also cater for rising non-captive demand across the automotive industry and the growing energy storage market.Ashok Leyland has a diverse portfolio which includes trucks with GTW (Gross Vehicle Weight) from 2T to 55T, and buses with a capacity of 9 to 80 passengers, and will seek to harness next-gen battery technology as a key driver of growth in the future.This exclusive partnership with CALB Group is a major development in strengthening the battery ecosystem in India, as well as aligning with the global trends for sustainable mobility and energy solutions. in India' initiative. India's electronics manufacturing reached 11.7 lakh crore in FY24-25, positioning the nation as the second-largest mobile producer globally. With a starting investment of 70 crore, Optiemus' facility is set to achieve an annual production capacity of 25 million units in Phase 1, resulting in the creation of over 600 direct employment opportunities. Phase 2 will enhance the capacity to 200 million units with an extra investment of 800 crore, leading to the generation of 4,500 jobs and serving both local and international markets.During the inauguration, Shri Vaishnaw remarked that the facility underscores India's increasing capabilities in advanced manufacturing. He stressed the necessity for Indian companies to create robust, high-quality products to remain competitive on a global scale and reaffirmed the government's ambition to establish a USD 500 billion electronics manufacturing ecosystem.The tempered glass sector presents considerable prospects, with India's internal market projected to exceed 500 million units each year, valued at 20,000 crore, whereas the worldwide market is estimated at USD 60 billion. Optiemus intends to establish India as a dependable supplier of high-quality tempered glass, thereby decreasing reliance on imports. Optiemus Infracom has inaugurated the first tempered glass manufacturing facility in India, located in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, utilizing Engineered by Corning technology.The facility was officially opened by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister for Electronics & IT, I&B, and Railways. This achievement enhances India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem and is in line with the 'Make
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