Category: Business

July 08: Almost seven in 10 (69%) of European real estate institutional investors will increase the amount they spend on technology over the next three years to improve energy efficiency across their portfolios, new research1 by re:sustain, the leading science-based technology platform which optimises the energy consumption of real estate assets reveals.  

Re:sustain’s research with 200 European real estate institutional asset managers in the UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain and Italy, with a combined AUM of €296 billion, finds improving technology is the most effective way to improve energy efficiency.

When asked the main advantages of technology when it comes to improving energy efficiency of buildings, 73% of respondents say it delivers faster results – and 55% say it is cheaper – than upgrading or retrofitting.

Almost two thirds (61%) highlight the lower levels of disruption from using tech to improve energy efficiency versus retrofitting, while 50% say it is easier to secure tenant buy in compared to upgrading a property. Almost half (46%) of real estate managers say technology helps to protect their assets’ value, while 17% point to the ability to use technology across old and new buildings.

Almost three-quarters (73%) of respondents say investing in technology which can optimise a building’s systems to reduce energy usage remotely will be the most impactful in managing energy consumption, followed by 60% who cite investment in a new building management system. This compares to 54% who say investment in new systems such as HVAC and lighting is the most effective way to reduce energy consumption, and 14% who believe improving the behaviours of occupants is the most beneficial.

Nearly nine out of ten (89%) real estate asset managers say the use of technology is important to enhancing energy consumption strategies across their portfolios. One fifth (20%) are neutral and 2% say technology is not important at all.

However, the research reveals the use of technology is not widespread across investors’ portfolios.

While 51% of respondents say they use technology in new buildings, only 18% say they do so in older properties. Further, just 3% of those surveyed say technology is in use across all buildings in their portfolios, with 21% using it in offices only.

Real estate managers use technology for multiple purposes across their portfolios, with 69% employing it to manage buildings remotely. Just under two-thirds (64%) of respondents say technology is beneficial for monitoring energy consumption while 30% use systems to model and understand where and how improvements can be made.

Katie Whipp, Chief Business Officer at re:sustain, said: “Real estate managers are under pressure from all sides to manage their energy consumption. Regulation is tightening across Europe and at the same time, tenants are demanding sustainable and energy efficient buildings to meet their own ESG commitments.

“Bringing properties into line with the green transition on budget and on time, can be a daunting prospect, especially for those managers facing major retrofits or upgrades. Our research shows that asset managers recognise the importance in using technology has evolved considerably to understand their buildings and make positive changes without unnecessary capital expenditure. But the use of tech is far from universal. It is essential that the sector utilises technology to reduce energy consumption, manage costs and ensure a smooth journey to Net Zero.”

re:sustain was founded in 2021 by scientists who recognised that while data was being collected about real estate energy consumption, it wasn’t improving usage. To solve this problem, the re:sustain team developed innovative technology which uses collected building management system data (BMS) to create a highly calibrated digital twin of each building – an accurate model that reflects real asset performance. This dynamic thermal model allows for precise simulations and analyses, eliminating guesswork and enabling targeted interventions.

The proprietary re:sustain engine processes the digital twin data and the BMS data to identify inefficiencies and improvement opportunities, whilst calculating potential carbon savings. This remote approach allows for targeted optimisations and detailed mechanical insights on existing systems, reducing energy use, carbon emissions, and operational costs in support of sustainability goals—all without requiring Capex from asset owners or business interruption for occupiers.

To date, buildings using re:sustain technology have enjoyed 37% average annual energy savings in a process that takes just four to six weeks to implement.

 

Bangalore, July 8 : India’s first-time credit cardholders or New-To-Credit-Card  are younger and more broadly geographically distributed, according to TransUnion CIBIL’s latest research whitepaper, Beyond the Swipe 2026: How India Uses Card as a Credit Instrument. As of March 2026, 50 percentage of NTCC consumers were aged 30 years or below, up from 43 percentage  in March 2022, while 46 percentage resided within semi-urban and rural markets, up from 42 percentage during the same period.

NTCC consumers are entering the card market with a more active credit profile. The whitepaper found that 25 percentage of NTCC consumers already had three or more open credit products, suggesting that for many consumers, the first credit card is being added to an existing credit wallet, and not necessarily an entry product. Compared to the United Kingdom at 70 percentage, Colombia at 62 percentage and Hong Kong at 98 percentage, India’s credit card penetration at 25 percentage of credit-active consumers, as of March 2026, is lower than several mature and emerging credit markets. The current low penetration rate along with the promising demographic participation clearly indicates an opportunity to grow the card portfolios responsibly.

A Ten-Year Sweep of India’s Credit Card Market

India’s credit card market has expanded significantly over the last decade, across the number of cards, consumers and balances. Between March 2016 and March 2026, the number of cardholders grew 3.6x from 1.4 crore to 5.2 crore. Outstanding card balances rose at a faster pace, growing 8.3x from ₹0.4 lakh crore to ₹3.1 lakh crore, with active credit cards growing 5x from 2.1 crore to 10.7 crore.

The decade-long view also shows deeper card engagement within the cardholder base, with the average card balance per consumer increasing from ₹31,000 to ₹65,000.

As the credit card market expanded over the last ten years, cardholders also began carrying a wider mix of credit products. Active credit cards accounted for 56% of consumption-led credit accounts in March 2016. By March 2026, that share stood at 38 percentage. Card balances as a share of consumption-led credit balances in the industry also moved from 36 percentage to 26percentageover the same period.

The role of cards in consumers’ wallets has changed as well. The share of card-only in the wallet consumers declined from 50% in March 2016 to 33% in March 2026, while consumers holding other consumption loans in the wallet increased from 16 percentage to 32percentage. Consumers holding three or more credit cards also increased from 12% to 22%, showing a more layered card relationship within the same consumer wallet.

Mr. Bhavesh Jain, MD & CEO, TransUnion CIBIL, said,

“The decade-long expansion of India’s credit card market is now being shaped by a more active and varied borrower wallet. Many consumers use cards alongside small-ticket personal loans, consumer durable loans and other short-tenure credit products. This reflects a consumer credit wallet that is becoming deeper, more formal and more responsive to everyday consumption needs. At the same time, it places greater responsibility on the ecosystem to ensure that growth remains aligned with affordability, repayment capacity and the borrower’s overall obligations. As card adoption continues to expand, the focus must remain on widening access to formal credit while preserving credit quality, borrower confidence and long-term portfolio resilience.”

Different Cardholders, Different Card Paths

As cards become part of more diversified borrower wallets, cardholders can no longer be viewed as one uniform group. The ten-year study segments non-NTCC card consumers into four personas based on how the line of credit associated with cards is being utilized and what other non-card products sit in the cardholder’s wallet. Card-centric users form the largest segment at 33%, followed by occasional card users at 18%, diversified credit users at 12%, and high exposure users at 10%. The portion of cardholders with less than 12 months of card experience may transition into one of the four personas as they gain maturity with the product and their usage evolves over time.

These personas are defined at a point in time for all cardholders who are current on their payment as of March 2024. The persona framework may provide insights into potential future credit activity. Over the next 12 months, from March 2024 to March 2025, 62% of diversified credit users and 48% of high exposure users availed a new unsecured product, compared with only 27% of card-centric users and 12% of occasional card users respectively. The balance build-up behaviour over the 12-month period and delinquencies over the next 12 months also differ materially across diverse card personas.

Gen Z Often Starts Credit Before Their First Card

For many young borrowers, their first credit card is no longer their first step into formal credit. The findings show a clear shift in how young Indians are building their credit wallets, with 24 to 30-year-old Gen Z consumers who entered the card market in 2024 more likely to already have an active credit footprint than same-age Millennial consumers in 2018.

At the time of first card origination, 31% of Gen Z consumers already had two or more open credit accounts in their wallet. The share of consumers with no prior credit experience was lower at 30% for Gen Z in 2024, compared with 56% for Millennials in 2018. Gen Z consumers were also more likely to already have consumption-led credit products in their wallet, with 18% holding an open consumer durable loan and 23% holding an open small-ticket personal loan at first card opening.

Early card behaviour also points to more active usage. While card activation levels for young NTCC consumers remained similar across the two cohorts, Gen Z consumers were more likely to spend a higher amount in the first three months of opening their first credit card. Around 28% of Gen Z NTCC consumers had balances above ₹25,000 within the first three months of card origination, compared with around 20% of same-age Millennial consumers in 2018.

The activity continued beyond the first card relationship. Around 69% of Gen Z NTCC consumers opened another credit product within 12 months of their first card, compared with 55% of same-age Millennial NTCC consumers in 2018. Among consumers who opened another product, 39% of Gen Z consumers did so with their first credit card issuer, compared with 33% for Millennials.

Mr. Jain added,

“The role of the first credit card is also changing in a way that deserves close attention. Many new cardholders are still early in their formal credit journey, but a growing share is entering the card market with prior credit experience and with other credit products already present in the wallet. This is especially visible among Gen Z consumers, who are adding products sooner and showing stronger engagement with their first card issuer.

“For lenders, the opportunity is not just to acquire the customer at the point of first card issuance,” he said. “It is to earn trust, remain relevant as the customer’s credit needs evolve and build a relationship that supports access to credit while maintaining discipline across the lifecycle. That balance between growth, loyalty and responsible credit behaviour will be an important marker for the next phase of India’s card market.”

Hyderabad, July 8: In a landmark step towards safer cities, smarter governance and the elimination of hazardous sewer work, Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company The Bot Factory will launch Project SHUDH, India’s first AI–powered Sewer Governance Fleet, on July 11, 2026, at T-Works, Hyderabad.

Developed as part of a disaster-management robotics initiative, Project SHUDH represents a significant shift from sewer cleaning to sewer governance.

Sri D. Sridhar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics, Communications, Industries & Commerce, Government of Telangana, as Chief Guest will formally launch the most coveted solution in the presence  Sri Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary, Hyderabad Metropolitan Area & Sports, Government of Telangana, as Guest of Honour; and Sri Sanjay Jaju, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana, as Special Guest.

Unlike most sewer-cleaning technologies that focus solely on mechanization, Project SHUDH is designed as a complete governance platform where every sewer intervention can be digitally tracked, recorded, analysed and monitored. The larger objective is to help cities move towards zero manual sewer entry while enabling smarter management of underground infrastructure.

A Hyderabad Innovation with a National Mission

The Bot Factory is a Hyderabad-based deep-tech robotics company focused on developing intelligent robotic systems for public safety, disaster management, environmental protection and urban infrastructure.

The company has gained attention for Project SHUDH, an AI–powered robotic platform aimed at eliminating the need for human entry into sewers and manholes.

Its mission is to create autonomous robotic systems capable of performing dangerous and hazardous tasks traditionally carried out by humans, thereby improving safety, efficiency and accountability.

From Sewer Cleaning to Sewer Governance

While conventional technologies largely focus on mechanized cleaning, Project SHUDH introduces a comprehensive governance framework for underground assets.

The platform combines: Autonomous sewer-cleaning robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), GIS and satellite-based monitoring, Predictive analytics for blockage detection and Real-time governance dashboards for civic authorities

The objective is not merely sewer cleaning but the creation of a digital, auditable and data-driven management system for underground infrastructure.

Every intervention generates actionable data, transforming underground maintenance from a reactive activity into a transparent and accountable governance process.

A Technological Solution to a Human Challenge

Despite advances in mechanization, sewer workers across India continue to face significant occupational risks.

Project SHUDH seeks to eliminate the need for human entry into hazardous sewer environments by deploying intelligent robotic systems capable of cleaning, inspection and data collection.

The initiative aligns closely with national priorities relating to worker safety, Smart Cities, digital governance and technology-led public service delivery.

Proven in the Field

Project SHUDH has already been demonstrated in Hyderabad in collaboration with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB).

The system is capable of operating in both vertical manholes and horizontal sewer pipelines while generating real-time operational data and digital maps of underground drainage networks.

These capabilities enable authorities to monitor infrastructure health, identify recurring problem areas and make informed maintenance decisions.

What sets Project SHUDH apart is its vision of creating an intelligence layer beneath cities. By combining robotics, AI, predictive analytics and geospatial technologies, the platform transforms underground infrastructure into a measurable, monitorable and governable public asset.

The long-term goal is to help cities achieve zero manual sewer entry, improve worker safety, reduce operational costs and establish a modern governance framework for underground infrastructure.

Addressing a National Challenge

India’s sewer and septic infrastructure remain significantly under-mechanized and under-digitized. In most cities, sewer maintenance is carried out through a combination of jetting machines, suction equipment, desilting vehicles and manual intervention. When mechanical methods fail to resolve blockages, workers are often required to enter manholes and sewer networks, exposing them to hazardous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

This underlines the urgent need for technology-driven solutions such as robotic and AI–powered sewer management systems.

India has an estimated 800,000 sanitation and sewer-cleaning workers involved in sewer, septic tank and drain maintenance activities.

Thousands continue to be engaged in hazardous cleaning work despite legal prohibitions.

According to data presented in Parliament, 377 deaths due to hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks were reported between 2019 and 2023.

Enormous Market Potential

The potential market for Project SHUDH is substantial. India has: More than 4,500 statutory towns, Hundreds of municipal corporations and municipalities, Smart Cities, Water and sewerage boards, Industrial townships and Cantonment boards

The domestic requirement could eventually run into thousands of robotic units. If every manhole inspection, blockage, cleaning operation and repair is digitally recorded, municipalities gain: Greater accountability, Complete audit trails, Performance monitoring, Contractor oversight, Predictive maintenance capabilities, Improved budget planning

India’s underground infrastructure remains one of the least digitized public assets. If Project SHUDH succeeds in integrating robotics, AI and governance into a unified platform, it could create an entirely new category of urban technology serving thousands of municipalities and utility agencies across the country.

Fourth edition of regional data centre conference moves to the UAE, bringing digital industry leaders together in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi, UAE, July 8: Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi – KEZAD Group, one of the largest operators of integrated and purpose-built economic zones in the region, will host Touchdown Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the region-wide data centre conference will take place in the UAE.

Organised by the Gulf Data Centre Association (GDCA), the fourth edition of Touchdown Middle East 2026 will take place on 18–19 November 2026 at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers. Following three consecutive years in Bahrain, the conference’s move to Abu Dhabi reflects its growing regional footprint and positions the UAE’s capital as its first new host venue.

The conference will attract data centre operators, investors, technology providers, government stakeholders, real estate leaders, energy specialists and digital infrastructure decision-makers from across the Middle East and international markets. The event is expected to attract more than 1,500 visitors, over 400 companies, 70 speakers and participants from more than 30 countries.

Abdullah Al Hameli, CEO, Economic Cities & Free Zones Cluster — AD Ports Group, said: “Hosting Touchdown Middle East 2026 in Abu Dhabi reflects the Emirate’s growing role in the digital infrastructure economy. Data centres are now central to industrial growth, AI adoption, cloud services, advanced manufacturing and secure digital trade. At KEZAD Group, we see this conference as a practical platform to connect investors, operators and infrastructure partners with Abu Dhabi’s industrial base, logistics strength and long-term growth environment.”

The two-day conference will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, networking meetings and industry-led conversations on the key issues shaping the sector, including power availability, connectivity, site readiness, regulation, investment, AI demand, cloud growth and sustainable data centre development.

Henry Sutton, Director of the Gulf Data Centre Association and Touchdown Middle East, said: “Touchdown Middle East was created to bring the region’s data centre industry together, with a clear focus on knowledge, partnerships and market growth. After three successful years in Bahrain, bringing the fourth edition to Abu Dhabi is an important step for the event and for the wider regional industry. We are delighted to have KEZAD Group as our main sponsor and we look forward to welcoming leaders from across the data centre value chain to discuss the next phase of digital infrastructure growth in the Middle East.”

Abu Dhabi is placing digital infrastructure at the centre of its next phase of economic growth, with a clear focus on AI demand, sovereign cloud, hyperscale compute, power planning and industrial land readiness. The Emirate’s Digital Strategy 2025 to 2027 commits AED 13 billion to digital transformation and targets full sovereign cloud adoption for government operations, full automation of government processes and more than 200 AI-led solutions across public services. Abu Dhabi has also moved into large-scale AI compute through Stargate UAE, a planned 1GW compute cluster within the wider 5GW UAE and US AI Campus, with the first 200MW expected to go live in 2026. Together, these steps make Abu Dhabi a strong host for a regional data centre conference focused on the next wave of AI, cloud and digital infrastructure investment.

The conference comes at a time when demand for digital infrastructure is rising across the region, driven by AI, cloud computing, data sovereignty, smart industry, enterprise digital services and the growth of high-capacity connectivity. As main sponsor, KEZAD Group will leverage the platform to foster dialogue on how industrial zones, logistics platforms, energy infrastructure and real estate can work together to support the next wave of data centre investment.

International MSME Day campaign celebrates the businesses and workers whose contributions often go unnoticed, but whose impact is felt every day

New Delhi, July 08: To mark International MSME Day, IndusInd General Insurance Company Ltd (formerly as Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd) has launched a new digital film celebrating the resilience, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of India’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Through the campaign, the company seeks to recognise the millions of businesses that continue to create livelihoods, fuel aspirations and contribute to India’s progress despite navigating an increasingly dynamic business environment.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple yet powerful belief, that behind every successful enterprise is a story of perseverance. Whether it is a small manufacturing unit, a family-run business, a logistics operator, a handicraft entrepreneur or a local service provider, MSMEs represent the ambition and optimism that continue to shape India’s growth journey.

The film follows the rhythm of India’s MSME ecosystem, from workshops and manufacturing units to logistics operators, dairy businesses, handicraft entrepreneurs and service providers. Through evocative visuals and storytelling, it captures the ambition, hard work and optimism that drive millions of enterprises across the country, while bringing to life their role in powering everyday experiences and supporting livelihoods.

Beyond their economic contribution, the campaign highlights the resilience that defines the sector. Through economic downturns, market shifts, geopolitical uncertainties and a global pandemic, India’s MSMEs have continued to adapt, innovate and move forward with remarkable determination. It is this spirit of perseverance and progress that the campaign seeks to acknowledge and celebrate.

Built around IndusInd General Insurance’s ‘Forward Together’ philosophy, the campaign reflects the company’s belief that progress is driven by resilience. By recognising the journeys of MSMEs, the film reinforces the importance of enabling businesses to navigate uncertainty, safeguard continuity and pursue growth with confidence.

Through this campaign, IndusInd General Insurance reaffirms its commitment to standing alongside India’s MSMEs, championing their journeys and supporting their path towards a stronger, more resilient future.

 

 

New Delhi, July 8: The Government has launched the Handloom Hackathon 2026 to encourage new ideas, innovation and technology-based solutions for the growth of the handloom sector.

The initiative will provide a platform for weavers, designers, entrepreneurs and innovators to develop solutions that can improve the quality, productivity and market reach of handloom products.

The programme will focus on promoting modern designs, digital solutions, sustainable practices and better production techniques while supporting traditional weaving communities across the country.

The hackathon aims to connect artisans with young innovators and industry experts to create practical solutions that can strengthen the handloom sector and preserve India’s rich textile heritage.

The government expects the initiative to generate new opportunities for weavers and help the sector adapt to changing market needs.

July 08: Epsilon Carbon, one of India’s leading carbon black manufacturers, has become the first company in country’s carbon black industry to receive BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certification, in accordance with the applicable Indian Standards. 

The certification follows a comprehensive assessment of Epsilon Carbon‘s manufacturing processes, quality management systems, testing capabilities, and product compliance. It reflects years of sustained investment in quality systems, process standardization, and workforce capability, and it positions Epsilon Carbon to meet the growing demand for certified, high-quality carbon black from tyre manufacturers, rubber goods producers, and other downstream industries. 

Mr. Gaurav Mathur, Chief Executive Officer, Epsilon Carbon, said: “This certification is an important milestone in our manufacturing journey. I congratulate our teams for the dedication that made this possible. It gives our customers greater confidence in our products, and it pushes us to keep raising the bar for what Indian manufacturing can deliver.” 

For customers, the certification translates into stronger assurance of consistency and compliance, at a time when both domestic and export buyers are placing greater weight on certified supply chains. It also strengthens Epsilon Carbon‘s position as India moves toward a more standardized, quality-driven manufacturing ecosystem, and it supports the company’s broader ambition of being recognized globally as a trusted supplier of high-performance carbon materials.

New Delhi, July 8: Trade between India and ASEAN countries has reached USD 128 billion during 2025–26, reflecting stronger economic cooperation and growing business ties between the two regions.

The rise in bilateral trade highlights the importance of ASEAN as one of India’s key trading partners. Both sides have continued to expand cooperation in areas such as manufacturing, agriculture, technology, services, pharmaceuticals and supply chain development.

The growing trade relationship is supported by efforts to improve connectivity, promote investment and create more opportunities for businesses. India and ASEAN are also working towards strengthening trade cooperation and ensuring a more balanced and mutually beneficial economic partnership.

The increase in trade reflects the continued progress of India’s engagement with Southeast Asian nations under the Act East Policy, which focuses on enhancing economic, strategic and cultural relations with the ASEAN region.

The strong trade growth is expected to create new opportunities for exporters, industries and investors while contributing to regional economic development.

Guwahati, July 8: Assam is moving towards a more diversified economic growth model by expanding beyond its traditional tea industry and promoting technology, innovation and new-age sectors, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

The state government is working to create a balanced development framework that combines Assam’s established industries with emerging opportunities in technology, infrastructure, investment and entrepreneurship.

The push aims to attract new businesses, generate employment opportunities and strengthen the state’s economic foundation. Alongside preserving the legacy of the tea sector, Assam is focusing on building a future-ready ecosystem driven by innovation and skill development.

The government said the broader growth strategy will help position Assam as an emerging hub for technology and investment while ensuring inclusive development across sectors.

New Delhi, July 8: Gold and silver prices declined as investors reacted to renewed geopolitical tensions following fresh US strikes on Iran, leading to cautious sentiment across global markets.

The movement in precious metal prices came as traders assessed the impact of the developments on global risk appetite, currency movements and commodity markets. While gold and silver are traditionally viewed as safe-haven assets during periods of uncertainty, changing market expectations and profit-taking influenced prices during the session.

Analysts said investors are closely monitoring further developments in the Middle East, along with global economic indicators and interest rate expectations, which could shape the near-term direction of precious metals.

Market participants are expected to remain watchful as geopolitical risks, inflation concerns and broader financial market trends continue to influence gold and silver prices.