Category: Business

Bengaluru, Apr 16: In the presence of His Excellency Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India, Scania Commercial Vehicles India today inaugurated its new corporate office in Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in strengthening its footprint in the country. Reinforcing its long-term commitment to India, Scania also confirmed that its Regional Product Centre (RPC) in Narasapura remains fully operational with end-to-end capabilities, supporting customers with tailored solutions across key segments.

Building on the strong momentum following the recent launch of Scania Super in India, the company also announced the introduction of a White label financing program in partnership with Axis Bank. This initiative is aimed at providing customers with accessible and competitive financing solutions for purchasing Scania trucks in India. Together, these developments reflect Scania’s continued focus on expanding its presence, strengthening its ecosystem, and building a more locally anchored and responsive business to meet evolving customer needs.

As the commercial vehicle sector places increasing emphasis on uptime, efficiency, and business resilience, Scania is strengthening both its market presence and the support ecosystem around its customers. The new Bengaluru office plays a key role in this effort by enabling stronger collaboration, faster decision-making, and closer engagement with customers, dealer partners, financial institutions, and other stakeholders. It also serves as a hub for attracting and nurturing a strong talent pool, bringing together skilled professionals who will drive innovation, operational excellence, and long-term growth for Scania in India.

Jan Thesleff, Ambassador of Sweden to India said: “It is a pleasure to witness this important milestone for Scania in India. The inauguration of the new Bengaluru office reflects not only Scania’s continued commitment to the market but also a strong vote of confidence in India’s growth and long-term potential.

Sweden and India share a deep and expanding partnership, built on collaboration across trade, innovation, and sustainability. This occasion is a strong example of how our countries are working together to drive meaningful progress.

Scania’s focus on future-ready mobility solutions and sustainable development aligns closely with our shared ambition to enable innovation-led industrial growth. I am confident that initiatives like this will further strengthen collaboration between our businesses, institutions, and people, deepening ties between Sweden and India in the years ahead.”

Silvio Munhoz, Managing Director, Scania Commercial Vehicles India Pvt. Ltd., said: “India is a strategically important market for Scania, and our focus is on building a business that is closer to customers, faster in response, and stronger in execution. The new Bengaluru office not only enhances our ability to collaborate more closely with customers and partners but also strengthens our access to a highly skilled talent pool, enabling us to build a future-ready organization. We are honoured to have His Excellency, the Ambassador of Sweden to India, inaugurate this important milestone. At the same time, our Regional Product Centre in Narasapura remains fully operational with end-to-end capabilities, continuing to support customers with tailored solutions. Through our partnership with Axis Bank, we will be able to offer structured financing solutions that make it easier for customers to invest in high-performance Scania trucks and expand their operations.”

Martin Stahlberg, Senior Vice President Asia and Oceania at Scania CV AB, said: “From a global perspective, India represents a key market for Scania’s long-term growth and capability development. The inauguration of our Bengaluru office reflects our commitment to strengthening our local presence while enhancing how we support customers and partners in the region. We are honored by the presence of His Excellency, the Ambassador of Sweden to India, which highlights the strong and evolving partnership between Sweden and India. This milestone reinforces our focus on building sustainable capabilities and delivering long-term value in markets that are central to Scania’s global growth journey.”

Munish Sharda, Executive Director, Axis Bank, said: “As the commercial vehicle market evolves towards higher efficiency and sustainability, financing plays a critical role in enabling operators to invest with confidence. Through Scania Financing, powered by Axis Bank, we are combining strong product capability with structured financing expertise to support long-term fleet growth. This partnership reinforces our focus on building solutions-led ecosystems that create durable value for customers.”

Located in the heart of Bengaluru, the office reflects Scania’s intent to operate with greater proximity to the market while reinforcing its long-term commitment to India. It will serve as a hub for key functions, supporting closer coordination across teams and enabling greater agility and responsiveness in a market that continues to be central to Scania’s regional ambitions.

The new office was inaugurated in the presence of senior Scania leadership, key customers, dealer partners, senior members from Business Sweden and finance partners. Designed in line with the Scania Way and Swedish open work culture, the office features collaborative layouts, functional design, and sustainability-focused elements such as energy-efficient lighting, climate control systems, and the use of sustainable and recyclable materials where feasible.

Bengaluru, Apr 16: GRT Hotels & Resorts continues to strengthen its GReaT Being philosophy with the launch of a curated range of protein-infused beverages at Radisson Bengaluru City Centre. In a first-of-its-kind initiative by any hotel in the city, this offering is designed for the modern, wellness-conscious traveler—blending indulgence with nutrition to deliver both taste and functional benefits in every sip.

The menu features a selection of protein-rich coffee beverages including Vanilla Caramel Protein, Chocolate Coffee Protein, Vanilla Hazelnut Protein, and Vanilla Protein—each crafted to provide approximately 16g of protein per serving. Available round the clock, these beverages cater to guests seeking energy, recovery, or simply a smarter alternative to conventional café indulgences.

“This initiative is part of GRT Hotels’ larger commitment to holistic well-being, where hospitality goes beyond comfort to actively support healthier lifestyles,” said Vikram Cotah, CEO, GRT Hotels & Resorts.

The launch further reinforces GRT Hotels’ position as a pioneer in integrating wellness into hospitality experiences—setting new benchmarks and ensuring that guests don’t have to compromise on health while traveling.

Apr 16 (BNP): Indian equity markets ended lower on Thursday after a volatile trading session, as investors booked profits in banking and financial stocks following a recent rally.

The Sensex closed 122.56 points, or 0.16%, lower at 77,988.68. During the day, the index swung sharply, touching an intraday high of 78,730.32 before slipping to a low of 77,674.93, reflecting strong volatility.

Similarly, the Nifty 50 declined 34.55 points, or 0.14%, to close at 24,196.75, as selling pressure emerged at higher levels.

Market participants said the fall was mainly driven by profit-taking after recent gains, particularly in banking and financial stocks, while broader sentiment remained cautious amid global cues.

Apr 16 (BNP): India’s benchmark 10-year government bond yield may ease below the 7% level by June, although short-term volatility is likely to continue due to global and domestic economic factors, according to a report.

 The report notes that bond yields saw sharp fluctuations in March, mainly driven by rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions, which pushed yields to their highest level in the current financial year.

However, easing inflation pressures, adequate liquidity in the financial system, and expectations around policy stability are expected to support bond market conditions in the coming months.

On the macroeconomic front, India’s GDP growth is projected at around 7.1% for the current fiscal year, supported by strong domestic consumption and steady investment activity. Export performance is also expected to benefit from lower tariffs, although global trade disruptions and slower world growth could weigh on momentum.

The report also highlights that government efforts to manage retail fuel prices may help support household consumption. Inflation is projected to average around 4.5% in FY27, while comfortable liquidity conditions are expected to provide additional stability to financial markets.

Apr 16 (BNP): MF Bharat, the mutual fund investment platform operated by iPrudent (formerly Prudent Asset India Pvt Ltd), has announced a new initiative aimed at improving financial inclusion among gig workers and investors in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

The programme seeks to simplify access to mutual fund investments through digital tools, making it easier for first-time and underserved investors to participate in wealth creation opportunities.

The initiative is expected to particularly benefit gig economy workers by offering a more accessible and user-friendly investment experience, helping them build long-term financial stability.

Company officials said the platform is focused on expanding awareness and participation in mutual funds beyond major urban centres, contributing to broader financial inclusion across India.

Valencia (April 16, 2026).
Jeanologia, a global leader in eco-efficient technologies for the textile industry, is taking part in Indo Intertex 2026, held from April 15 to 18 at the Jakarta International Expo (Indonesia), bringing together manufacturers, production managers, and industrial decision-makers from across the textile value chain in the Asia-Pacific region.

In this setting, the Spanish company presents a new model for garment finishing based on the integration of its artificial intelligence system “Billy,” laser technology, and G2 Ozone, designed to transform production processes towards more automated, efficient, and responsible models.

More than 25 years ago, Jeanologia revolutionized denim finishing with its laser technology, replacing manual processes such as hand sanding and sandblasting, which were associated with high environmental impact and risks to workers’ health. Today, the company takes a step further by combining this technology with advanced air-based washing solutions and AI, consolidating a more creative, precise, clean, and efficient production model.

Digital creativity with industrial precision

At Indo Intertex 2026, Jeanologia showcases the latest developments in its laser technology, now enhanced by its AI system Billy, improving design quality and marking precision on denim garments. This combination allows for the accurate reproduction of vintage effects, localized wear, and complex patterns with full consistency, eliminating manual reprocessing and ensuring more authentic finishes.

Live demonstrations at Jeanologia’s booth feature the Compact Super laser system, highlighting its capacity to deliver high-speed processing, increased productivity, and consistent quality in industrial environments.

Full process automation and increased execution speed allow manufacturers to meet the demands of the textile industry, where operational efficiency, digitalization, and sustainability have become key factors for competing in international markets.

The ozone revolution

As a complement to laser technology, Jeanologia presents its Atmos process, based on G2 Ozone + Indra technology, which enables garment finishing treatments using air, replacing traditional water-based washing processes.

G2 Ozone transforms oxygen from the air into ozone, which acts as a natural oxidizing agent for indigo, allowing the fabric to be cleaned and the final tone of the garment to be adjusted. It offers a sustainable alternative to traditional and polluting stone washing, enabling abrasion effects, marbling, and tone variations in denim (from dark to medium or light washes) without the use of pumice stones or toxic chemicals.

The combination of AI, laser, and ozone technologies makes it possible to produce garments with an authentic and natural look, without manual intervention, with minimal water consumption and no harmful substances, in line with the company’s global goal: Mission Zero, which aims to dehydrate and detoxify the textile industry worldwide.

Asia, the new axis of textile competitiveness

Asia-Pacific has established itself as the main driver of the global textile industry, concentrating some of the world’s largest production and export hubs. Manufacturers and brands are accelerating their transition towards more efficient, automated, and sustainable models, driven by growing international demands for traceability, environmental impact reduction, and competitiveness.

Jeanologia has a strong presence in the region, where it has been working for more than two decades alongside manufacturers, exporters, and major textile groups, providing technological solutions, consultancy, and local technical support. This track record has enabled the company to position itself as a strategic partner in the industry’s shift towards cleaner, digital, and more profitable processes.

“Competitiveness in the textile industry is no longer measured solely in terms of cost, but in the ability to produce efficiently, with traceability and sustainability. The factories adopting this model in Asia are the ones that will lead the global supply chain in the coming years,” said Jean-Pierre Inchauspe, Business Director for Asia at Jeanologia.

India Apr 16: The Capgemini Research Institute today published a report ‘Physical AI: Taking human-robot collaboration to the next level,’ which explores the impact of physical AI on robotics and the value it could unlock for businesses. Physical AI marks a shift in robotics from automation to autonomous action in the real world. The opportunity it represents is widely recognized by executives across sectors, from high tech (93%) to warehousing and logistics (69%) and agriculture (59%), as well as the globe: with nearly three quarters of executives in the US, and around two thirds in Europe, and APAC in agreement.
 
Moving from experimentation to business impact

Physical AI is at an inflection point as technological breakthroughs and market forces converge to accelerate real‑world deployment at scale. Advances in foundation models are equipping robots with the intelligence needed to operate autonomously in complex environments, while simulation technologies are compressing training cycles by enabling large‑scale learning.
 
An emerging AI‑robot‑data flywheel is reinforcing this progress, as deployed systems generate real‑world data that continuously improves performance and generalization. These gains are amplified by advances in edge computing[2] and batteries, falling hardware costs, new commercial models such as robotics‑as‑a‑service (RaaS), and connectivity breakthroughs including private 5G and precise wireless positioning.
 
The optimism is widespread, with 60% of executives saying that physical AI will enable robotics applications that were previously impossible or impractical. Use cases span hazardous operations, micro‑logistics, pick‑and‑place, and field inspection, as well as sector-specific applications such as dynamic assembly in manufacturing, healthcare and eldercare support in the public sector, and disaster-damage assessment in insurance.
 
Supporting reindustrialization and operational resilience

As reindustrialization efforts accelerate in Europe and the United States, physical AI is emerging as a key enabler of this transition. Indeed, 43% of executives say that reshoring and reindustrialization are increasingly driving their interest in physical AI as a means to support domestic production at scale, while two-thirds of organizations now rank physical AI as a high priority in their automation agenda for the next three to five years. More than half of business leaders cite autonomous mobile robots, industrial robotic arms and cobots as the fastest growing robot form factors in their organization in the next three to five years, well ahead of humanoids[3].
 
Workforce constraints are a central driver for the growing interest in physical AI. More than labor costs, the top driver of investment in physical AI is labor shortages , especially in the agriculture, retail, high tech, warehousing and logistics and automotive sectors. Geographically, Japan leads in prioritizing physical AI within automation strategies, with more than three quarters of executives identifying it as a priority over the next three to five years, ahead of the US.
 
Physical AI also supports the agility required to make reindustrialization viable over the long term. Nearly half of executives identify improved flexibility as a key benefit, highlighting the ability to reconfigure production systems and workflows more rapidly than with traditional robotics or fixed automation. Moreover, over half of executives highlight improvements in safety and reduced physical strain. 

“Physical AI marks a shift from systems that describe the world to systems that can act within it. However, robotics has a long history of overpromising, as early breakthroughs created expectations the technology could not yet meet.” explains Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini and Member of the Group Executive Committee.

“What is different today is not the hype, but the convergence of AI, data, and engineering maturity. The opportunity is real, provided we focus on what works at scale. Deploying physical AI responsibly, safely, and progressively will be essential to building trust, with security by design, transparency, and human oversight at the core of sustainable human‑robot collaboration.”

Scaling physical AI and humanoid robots despite persisting barriers

Nearly two-thirds of executives expect physical AI to reach scale – in terms of moving from pilot projects to large-scale deployments – within the next five years, although only 4% say they are already operating at scale. In fact, scaling physical AI remains a challenge for nearly eight out of ten executives, primarly due to a lack of technology and operating readiness.
 
Near-term growth will be led by established robot form factors. Humanoid robots, despite strong interest, still face significant barriers and remain a longer-term bet: 72% of executives identified technical immaturity such as reliability and dexterity, while 63% were deterred by the high cost and 58% by the training challenges. In addition, more than six in ten executives are currently unclear on the ROI of humanoid adoption.
 
Societal acceptance is also a concern with more than six in ten executives believing that public resistance will be a critical obstacle to the adoption of humanoid robots. Public sentiment on this issue varies by region, with 68% of executives in France citing public resistance as a barrier compared with 56% in Spain.