Author: Neel Achary

With March 15 CA/Browser Forum Deadline Looming Total Economic Impact Study Quantifies Benefits of Automating Certificate Lifecycle Management

Organizations Reduced Certificate-Related Incident Costs by $2.4M and Cut Renewal Effort from 30 Minutes to Seconds with the AppViewX Platform

NEW YORK, March 12 — AppViewX, a leader in automated Certificate Lifecycle Management (CLM) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) software, today released findings from a commissioned February 2026 Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ (TEI) study quantifying the operational and financial impact of lifecycle automation as SSL/TLS validity periods begin shrinking March 15 under the CA/Browser Forum schedule.

The study, available here, found that a composite organization representative of interviewed customers using the AppViewX platform achieved:

• 302% return on investment (ROI)
• $3.9 million in total three-year, risk-adjusted benefits
• $2.4 million reduction in certificate-related incident costs (three-year, risk-adjusted present value)
• Less than six months payback

“There were 15 major outages the year before, which dropped to three the next year after implementing AppViewX. In fact, these three outages were caused by certificates that we had decided not to migrate to AppViewX,” said a Senior Vice President of Data Protection at a financial services organization interviewed for the study.

As certificate lifespans compress and renewal frequency increases, the study highlights the operational risk of manual processes and fragmented tooling. Forrester found that manual certificate renewals required approximately 30 minutes per certificate, while automated renewals through AppViewX reduced that effort to approximately 0.25 minutes.

“The March 15 milestone signals more than a compliance change, it marks the beginning of a structural workload shift,” said Stephen Tarleton, Chief Operations Officer at AppViewX. “As validity periods shrink, renewal frequency accelerates and fundamentally changes the operating model for certificate management. Without centralized automation, enterprises risk diverting skilled engineers from higher-value security initiatives just to prevent certificate expirations.”

Operational Impact of Shorter Validity Periods

Under the CA/Browser Forum’s phased reduction schedule, certificate lifespans will continue to shorten in stages, increasing renewal frequency across hybrid, cloud, and machine identity environments. The Forrester study found that enterprises adopting centralized lifecycle automation materially reduced both the frequency and cost of certificate-related incidents while scaling certificate management without proportional staffing increases.

Organizations that adopt modern certificate lifecycle management benefit from:

• Greater protection against certificate-related outages
• Faster mean time to resolution
• Reduced application deployment cycles
• Improved audit and regulatory compliance

To address this complexity, the AppViewX platform centralizes and automates certificate lifecycle management through:

• Automated certificate discovery and inventory
• Policy-driven renewal and re-enrollment workflows
• Centralized governance and compliance reporting
• API-driven integration with DevOps and infrastructure pipelines

See 47-Day Readiness at RSA Conference 2026

AppViewX will demonstrate how enterprises are preparing for accelerated certificate renewal cycles at RSA Conference 2026, North Expo Booth #4236. Attendees can see how centralized lifecycle automation reduces renewal effort, mitigates outage risk, and strengthens governance as validity periods shrink.

New Office Bearers Elected For Cii Kerala: 2026-27

Kochi, Mar 12th: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has elected its new office bearers for the Kerala State Council for the year 2026-2027.

Joseph Michael Kallivayalil, Managing Director of Glenrock Rubber Products Pvt Ltd, has been elected as the Chairman of CII Kerala. Joining him in leadership is Mr. Santosh Kumar, Chief Executive Officer & Whole Time Director of Harrisons Malayalam Limited (RPSG), who has been elected as the Vice Chairman.

The newly elected leadership team aims to drive economic growth, foster industry collaboration, and promote sustainable development across Kerala. 

Profile of the Newly Elected Office Bearers

Joseph M Kallivayalil

With over three decades of rich experience, Joseph M Kallivayalil is a seasoned industry leader known for his entrepreneurial vision. He began his career in 1984 with Heveacrumb Rubber Pvt Ltd, a family-owned enterprise, and in the mid-1990s, co-founded Glenrock Rubber Products Pvt Ltd with two other partners. Today, Glenrock group has grown into the flagship company of a diversified group with interests spanning rubber processing, rubber products manufacturing and exports, tourism, tea production, rubber machinery manufacturing, and education. Under his dynamic leadership, the Glenrock Group has established a strong footprint in both domestic and international markets.  

Joseph Michael Kallivayalil served as the Vice Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Kerala for the past year and previously held the position of Chairman of the CII Kottayam Zonal Council.

Santosh Kumar

Santhosh Kumar has been a recipient of numerous scholarships and awards  in his career and has been credited with developing and deploying new innovative technologies in the field of Agriculture and plantations.

Santhosh Kumar served as the CII Co-Convenor for the Agri, Food, Spices and Plantation Panel   for the past year. Presently Industry advisory Member from India to International Rubber Study Group, Singapore, director at Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), Bangalore, Indian representative to international standards organisation (ISO/TC 45) and director Board member of the Agricultural skill council of India. Executive committee member of Association of planters of Kerala and UPASI as chairman of its Rubber Committee. Has a work experience of almost 35 Years in the Industry at various positions. Actively involved in various Research, academic and Policy Forums and has published papers on plantations, plant protection, climate change and ecology and is also a well-known speaker in various national and international conferences on Agriculture, Ecology, Crop science, Polymers and Plantation Industry.

Andrea Lucille Pooler Appointed Chief Operating Officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds and S.N.J Creations

New York, NY, March 12 — Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and S.N.J. Creations are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrea Lucille Pooler as Chief Operating Officer for the group’s divisions.

With more than 25 years of experience in the jewelry industry, Pooler combines strategic leadership with a deep understanding of both the artistry and business of fine jewelry. Her expertise spans manufacturing, retail, and wholesale channels, bridging creative direction with data-driven execution to help jewelry companies grow with structure and purpose.

Andrea began her career as a bench jeweler and designer and later owned her own retail jewelry store, gaining firsthand insight into craftsmanship, design, and customer experience. She went on to hold senior operations roles for one of the world’s largest B2C e-commerce jewelry brands, overseeing production, logistics, customer success, and process optimization for high-volume operations. Most recently, as Principal Consultant at Hill & Co., she led end-to-end business transformation and strategy projects for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and designers, spanning operations and process improvement, financial strategy, branding, merchandising, technology implementation, and team development.

Beyond her executive work, Pooler remains an active voice in the industry. She currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of THE SOURCE for the Community for Ethical Jewelry, Chair-head of the Women’s Jewelry Association NY Metro Chapter, resident volunteer jewelry appraiser for a retail hospice store, and Business Coach. A passionate advocate for education, mentorship, networking, and leadership, she is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to thrive within a more connected and transparent jewelry ecosystem.

A frequent writer for industry publications, speaker, and educator.  Pooler has presented at JCK Las Vegas, international jewelry trade shows, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and a range of entrepreneurship and networking associations. Andrea will be presenting two talks at the upcoming JA NY  show, titled “AI without the Overwhelm” on March 15th at 1 pm, and “Curate Less, Run Lean: Why Merchandising and Operations Must Move Together” on March 16th at 1 pm.

“Modani Jewels is pleased to welcome Andrea Lucille Pooler as its new Chief Operating Officer, strengthening the firm’s leadership team as it continues to scale operations and accelerate growth,” said Sumit Modani, CEO. “Pooler brings extensive operational and strategic experience and will play a key role in driving Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and S.N.J Creations next chapter of expansion.”

“I’m thrilled to join Sumit and the incredible team at Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and S.N.J. Creations,” said Pooler. “This company has an inspiring heritage and a vision for the future that honors both tradition and innovation. I look forward to helping scale our operations, strengthen global systems, and expand our presence in key markets.”

Led by Sumit Modani, Soham Diamonds is a third-generation family enterprise known for its craftsmanship, innovation, and integrity. Over the past several decades, the company has evolved from a traditional gemstone and diamond business into a vertically integrated jewelry manufacturer and global organization through its three core divisions: Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and S.N.J. Creations, with offices in New York, Ohio, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Taiwanese Researchers Develop Gentle Afterglow Plasma Device to Improve Healing of Chronic Wounds

Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores affect millions of patients worldwide, often healing slowly or not at all. These wounds are painful, prone to infection, and frequently lead to prolonged hospitalization or even limb amputation. Despite advances in wound care, many existing treatments remain invasive, uncomfortable, or unsuitable for fragile tissue, underscoring the need for safer, more accessible solutions.

Researchers at National Sun Yat-sen University have addressed this challenge by developing a large-area, low-temperature afterglow plasma medical device designed specifically for gentle wound healing. Unlike conventional approaches that rely on heat, lasers, or chemical agents, this system uses atmospheric-pressure afterglow plasma that operates below 40°C. The system allows the plasma to be applied directly to skin and open wounds without burning or damaging healthy tissue.

The novelty of the device lies not only in its low operating temperature but also in how it delivers its therapeutic effects. When applied to a wound, the afterglow plasma generates short-lived reactive molecules that help suppress harmful bacteria while activating biological processes linked to tissue repair. This dual action: disinfection and healing stimulation, occurs without physical contact or invasive intervention, making the treatment particularly suitable for sensitive or hard-to-heal wounds.

Another key advancement is the large treatment area and the device’s practical design. Many existing plasma systems are limited to small surface areas or require specialized infrastructure. In contrast, this device is designed to be compact, easy to operate, and capable of treating wider wound surfaces efficiently, with short treatment times. These features make it well-suited not only for hospitals, but also for clinics, long-term care facilities, and other care environments where complex equipment is impractical.

Beyond wound healing, the same plasma technology has been extended to a low-temperature sterilization system for medical instruments, capable of achieving effective disinfection in under ten minutes without high heat or vacuum systems. Together, these developments demonstrate how advanced plasma science can be translated into practical healthcare tools that reduce treatment burden while improving patient safety and comfort.

 

HOMEFOIL Launches Grease Proof Paper at AAHAR 2026, Targets Retail and HoReCa Demand

Delhi, Mar 12: HOMEFOIL, the premium consumer brand of LSKB Aluminium Foils Pvt. Ltd., has announced its strategic expansion into the paper-based packaging segment with the launch of its Grease proof Paper. Unveiled at AAHAR 2026, the International Food & Hospitality Fair, the move marks HOMEFOIL’s category diversification beyond its established aluminium foil portfolio. 

The newly launched greaseproof paper offers oil resistance of up to 168 hours, significantly higher than conventional uncoated paper formats that typically withstand grease for only five to six hours. Designed to minimise oil seepage and staining, the paper helps maintain cleaner food handling and better presentation across both household and commercial kitchens.

Made using food-contact safe materials with FDA-compliant additives, the biodegradable and non-toxic paper aligns with HOMEFOIL’s focus on delivering safe, hygienic, and reliable packaging solutions for modern food service and retail needs.

The product was introduced to distributors, HoReCa operators and retail partners at AAHAR, reflecting growing demand for reliable grease management solutions across both household and food service environments.

The entry into grease-proof paper marks a strategic expansion of HOMEFOIL’s product portfolio, reinforcing the brand’s effort to provide a comprehensive range of hygiene-focused kitchen and food-protection solutions. By broadening its SKU basket, the company aims to offer consumers and food service operators a more integrated packaging choice under a single brand. The move comes at a time when the food packaging sector is witnessing increasing demand for functional and h7ygienic formats across both retail and HoReCa segments.

The new Grease Proof Paper has been designed to manage oil absorption, maintain food texture and support hygienic handling during cooking, storage and service. Manufactured in LSKB’s state-of-the-art facilities in Sonipat, the product offers consistent roll strength and thickness for everyday kitchen use, including food wrapping, baking preparation and microwave reheating. The initial rollout features three versatile variants: 20+5, 40, 75 and 90 metres roll, catering to both domestic kitchens and high-volume HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering) requirements. HOMEFOIL’s entry into this segment positions the brand to address these emerging needs while strengthening its presence across the food consumption value chain. 

Commenting on the launch, Mr Kunal Bajaj, Director, Jupiter Group, added,

“Food service operators today are managing higher volumes, faster turnaround times and stricter hygiene requirements. Packaging materials that perform consistently under these conditions are becoming critical. The rapid growth of quick service restaurants (QSRs), cloud kitchens, and the evolving food delivery and takeaway ecosystem has played a key role in driving demand for foil and allied packaging solutions in the Indian market. 

Lakshay Singhal, Director, LSKB Aluminium Foils Pvt. Ltd., said,  Our premium Golden Foil range has emerged as one of the most trusted and widely used products in our portfolio. As consumer expectations around hygiene, food safety and convenience continue to evolve, we see a clear opportunity to bring better quality solutions into the food packaging category. Our entry into grease proof paper is part of this journey — expanding our offerings while maintaining the same focus on reliability and performance. We believe initiatives like these will also contribute to the broader growth and quality standards of India’s food packaging ecosystem.”

The commercial rollout of HOMEFOIL Grease Proof Paper will commence in March 2026, with distribution across retail and institutional channels. The launch will be supported by the company’s extensive distribution network of over 150 distributors and more than 25,000 channel partners across India, enabling wide market access from the outset. In addition, HOMEFOIL products will be available across major e-commerce and quick commerce platforms including Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, Zepto and Hyperpure by Zomato.

Alongside the new category launch, HOMEFOIL showcased its flagship Golden Embossed Aluminium Foil, recognised as India’s first Golden Embossed Foil by LSKB, along with its innovative 2-in-1 Paper & Golden Foil and a comprehensive aluminium foil range designed for superior food preservation, hygiene and heat retention at AAHAR 2026. This established foil portfolio continues to provide the foundation for the brand’s expansion into adjacent and complementary food packaging categories.

HCLTech announces expanded collaboration with Google Cloud to help accelerate Agentic AI adoption across industries

New York And Noida, India, Mar 12th: HCLTech, a leading global technology company, today announced the expansion of its strategic collaboration with Google Cloud to help accelerate enterprise adoption of Agentic AI. HCLTech will use Gemini Enterprise and Gemini models to build custom AI agents for global clients, while strengthening collaboration and security through Google Workspace, supporting their scalable, AI-driven transformation. 

As enterprises scale AI, HCLTech’s Gemini-enabled offerings embed AI into systems, workflows and decision-making to unlock new market opportunities, introduce innovative capabilities and boost operational efficiency. Many of the agents HCLTech has developed are already available on the Google Cloud Marketplace. 

This expanded collaboration formalizes a structured program to accelerate clients’ GenAI and Agentic AI adoption, cultivate Google Cloud champions across HCLTech and support over 2,000 GenAI-led customer engagements. 

Key focus areas include: 

• Solution Innovation: Building unique offerings with Data and AI at its core, HCLTech’s AI Force platform integrates with Google’s Gemini family of models and Gemini Code Assist to transform software development and IT operations. Additional offerings include Unified Migrations, including Oracle, SAP and VMware transformation to Google Cloud and Security transformation.
• Agentic CoE: Growing its Center of Excellence to expand industry-specific agentic solutions. Advancing Agentic AI solutions, building on offerings such as Insight for manufacturing and Netsight for telecommunications.
• Gemini Experience Zones: Launching Physical AI innovation hubs at key global locations.
• Talent Development: Expanding its Google Cloud-certified workforce from 12,000 to over 35,000 within three years. 

 “This strategic collaboration reinforces the strength of our partnership and shared vision with Google Cloud to help enterprises scale AI adoption in alignment with their business objectives,” said Vijay Guntur, CTO and Head of Ecosystems at HCLTech. “We are excited to bring our joint capabilities to life across industries, helping clients unlock new efficiencies, insights and growth.” 

“HCLTech is bringing Gemini Enterprise to more customers through its industry solutions,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Ecosystem and Channels at Google Cloud. “With over 23,000 Google Cloud-trained experts and deep AI implementation expertise, HCLTech is delivering high-impact, production-ready AI agents to enterprises today.”

Sennheiser and Barco Drive Seamless Hybrid Collaboration in India with Multi-City Tour

New Delhi, Mar 12: Sennheiser and Barco successfully concluded a multi-city collaboration tour across six major Indian cities, showcasing integrated hybrid meeting solutions to partners and customers throughout February 2026. The initiative demonstrated the combined capabilities of Barco ClickShare Hub and Sennheiser TeamConnect Bar solutions, both certified for Microsoft Teams, offering participants a first-hand experience of seamless wireless conferencing designed for modern meeting environments.

 The tour covered New Delhi, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru, attracting participation from over 420 audio-visual and IT professionals, system integrators, and enterprise representatives. Each city hosted live demonstrations, solution discussions, and partner enablement sessions focused on the evolving needs of modern meeting and collaborative workspaces.

The initiative highlighted how Barco ClickShare Hub and Sennheiser TeamConnect Bar solutions work together to deliver an effortless hybrid meeting experience. The presence of Microsoft representatives in each city further reinforced the credibility of the joint solution, particularly following its Microsoft Teams certification, underscoring a shared commitment to delivering reliable and scalable collaboration environments.

The collaboration tour also strengthened the strategic partnership between Sennheiser and Barco, while providing partners with deeper insights into the technical and commercial aspects of the bundled solution designed for meeting rooms and huddle spaces.

Throughout the tour, participants experienced the integrated bundle featuring Barco ClickShare Hub and Sennheiser TeamConnect Bar, which offers wireless conferencing, high-quality video, and crystal-clear audio tailored for modern meeting spaces. Certified for Microsoft Teams, the solution helps organizations simplify hybrid meetings while ensuring enterprise-grade security, compliance, and standardized integration.

Commenting on the initiative, Naveen Sridhara, Sales Director – Business Communication at Sennheiser India, said,

“This collaboration tour reflects our commitment to equipping our partner ecosystem with solutions that simplify hybrid collaboration. By combining Sennheiser’s advanced audio technologies with Barco’s ClickShare platform, we are enabling partners to deliver reliable, high-quality meeting experiences for organizations across India.”

Gopal Krishna, Sales Director MX – Asia Pacific at Barco, added,

“The collaboration tour provided an excellent platform to demonstrate how Barco Hub and Sennheiser TeamConnect Bar together create seamless meeting experiences. With wireless conferencing, intuitive room control, and premium audio quality, the solution helps organizations build collaboration spaces that are simple to use and easy to manage.”

Organizations, partners, and consultants interested in upgrading their meeting and collaboration environments can learn more about the bundled solutions from Sennheiser and Barco or request a personalized demonstration by contacting kruthika.v@sennheiser.com. The companies invite industry stakeholders to explore how these integrated, Microsoft Teams-certified solutions can simplify deployments and deliver seamless hybrid collaboration experiences.

Wood Mackenzie: Middle East conflict drives European power price volatility as gas disruption removes 1.5 Mt LNG weekly from global markets

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, March 12, 2026 – Gas supply disruption from the Middle East conflict will drive sustained volatility in European power markets, with TTF prices above €50/MWh passing through to electricity prices across major markets, according to Wood Mackenzie analysis published today.

While European power is less dependent on gas, the disruption removes approximately 1.5 Mt per week (2.2 bcm) from global LNG markets—equivalent to 19% of global LNG exports. TTF day-ahead gas prices soared above €55/MWh ($18.7/mmBtu) on 9 March following QatarEnergy’s force majeure declaration the previous week. European gas storage sits 10% below last year’s levels following January’s cold spell. Europe’s ability to switch from gas to coal-fired generations in the power sector has declined sharply since 2022, with a 77% gas price increase now reducing gas generation by only 5%.

“Europe added 306 TWh of low carbon power supply between 2022 and 2025, reducing fossil fuel dependence and resulting in the contribution of gas and coal falling by 292 TWh,” said Peter Osbaldstone, Research Director, Europe Power at Wood Mackenzie. “But gas generators still set marginal prices on a frequent basis in major markets. When TTF rises €30/MWh, German power prices follow with €40/MWh increases.”

Osbaldstone added: “We’ve traded one vulnerability for another. Less overall gas dependence improves energy security. While gas’ role in power price formation varies by country, in Europe’s connected market its influence can be hard to avoid. Losing alternative supplies, such as coal capacity, means gas price shocks hit harder – Europe needs gas generation so it pays the price.”

Key Facts:

• Strait of Hormuz disruption removes 1.5 Mt LNG per week (2.2 bcm, or 19% of global exports)
• TTF day-ahead prices topped €55/MWh on 9 March 2026, up from around €30/MWh pre-conflict
• Gas correlation with power prices: R² = 0.97 in Germany, R² = 0.99 in Italy
• European gas storage: 10% below 2025 levels after January 2026 cold spell
• Low carbon supply share: 66% in 2025, up from 51% in 2022
• 306 TWh low carbon supply added between 2022 and 2025
• Fuel-switching capability in major power markets limited: 77% gas price increase reduces gas generation by only 5%
• Potential coal switching capacity: approximately 20 TWh of additional power supply, primarily in Germany 

Gas sets marginal prices despite reduced power supply share

Renewable and low carbon sources now provide 66% of European supply, up from 56% in 2022. Between 2022 and 2025, low carbon supply increased by 306 TWh. Gas and coal’s contribution fell by 292 TWh over the same period.

However, gas-fired plants continue setting prices in Italy, Great Britain and Germany as the source remains critical to system balance during periods when the availability of renewables is lower. . While Germany’s share of gas-fired supply has been lower than markets like Italy, Spain and Great Britain, it’s remained quite flat (around 18%) from 2022 to 2025 as nuclear phase-out completed and coal retirement mount. Looking forward, we expect the role of gas in German power price setting to increase towards 2030, as coal retirements continue to mount, a marked contrast to other markets.

The limited fuel-switching flexibility locks in the linkage between gas and power prices. Wood Mackenzie analysis shows a 77% increase in gas prices—from €36/MWh to €64/MWh—reduces gas generation by only 5%. Coal-fired supply could increase by approximately 20 TWh, with German generators adding 12 TWh. Germany also maintains 4.5 GW of hard coal in strategic reserve, though with an average age of 50 years and limited recent running the capability of these generators to offer sustained support is uncertain.

Policy intervention probability increases

European governments spent €60 billion on crisis-related electricity subsidies in both 2022 and 2023 – despite lower wholesale prices in the latter of these years. Germany introduced subsidies to support industrial energy costs covering 2026-2028. During the 2022 energy crisis, governments implemented revenue caps ranging from €40/MWh to €180/MWh depending on technology and market. Spain and Portugal introduced agas price cap mechanism (€40-65/MWh), limiting the bids of gas-generators in Spain and Portugal and suppressing wholesale power prices from June 2022 through May 2023.

“Affordability pressure is real and policy makers are very sensitive to it,” Osbaldstone said. “But the best policy outcomes must be time-limited and ideally avoid distorting wholesale price signals. We learned in 2022 that blunt interventions create unintended consequences.”

Potential 2026 interventions include revenue caps, windfall taxes on generators, consumer subsidies and temporary market rule changes following 2022 precedents.

Energy security returns to policy priority

A prolonged disruption will strengthen the strategic case for renewables, nuclear, grid expansion and storage to reduce import dependence. Nuclear policy shifted in 2025. Sweden established state loan support of $25 billion for new nuclear build. Italy lifted its longstanding moratorium. Poland is advancing six reactors with $17 billion in direct investment support. Spain reconsidered operational extensions for plants approaching decommissioning dates originally set for completion by 2035.

The REPowerEU initiative, launched May 2022 in response to Russia’s invasive of Ukraine and Europe’s ensuing gas supply disruption, delivered an 18% reduction in gas demand by end-2023 through voluntary measures. The program set targets for 45% renewable share by 2030 and strengthened gas storage requirements.

The EU remains legally bound to 90% emissions reduction by 2040. Policy shifts will focus on sequencing and emphasis rather than reduced ambition. Europe’s political momentum remains firmly behind decarbonisation and reducing reliance on imported energy, but the path is becoming more complex.

“Another supply shock this soon after 2022 will crystallise decisions that have moved slowly,” Osbaldstone said. “Nuclear timelines, grid investment, storage deployment, interconnection priorities—all get forced up the political agenda when energy security is threatened.”

Market outlook depends on conflict duration and infrastructure damage

Whether prices normalise quickly or risk premia persist depends on conflict duration and damage to export infrastructure. Assuming no damage to Qatar’s LNG facilities, restart would require approximately two weeks as production trains return sequentially. Construction at Qatar’s mega-trains will likely pause for the conflict’s duration, creating potential longer-term supply implications.

Before the conflict, the global gas market appeared balanced at $11/mmBtu (€31/MWh), with more than 35 Mt of new LNG supply expected in 2026 and subdued Asian demand. Asian LNG prices for April 2026 delivery have climbed and are expected to trade at a premium to Atlantic basin prices as buyers seek alternatives.

ISPI 2026 Kicks Off in New Delhi; Ajay Bhadoo Highlights Packaging Innovation

New Delhi, March 12, 2026

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) on Thursday began the 6th International Summit for Packaging Industry (ISPI 2026) in New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, academicians, researchers and innovators from India and abroad to discuss emerging trends and innovations in the packaging sector. The summit was inaugurated by Shri Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

The summit is being organised under the theme “Packaging 5S-AI – Safe, Secure, Standardised, Smart, Sustainable and Artificial Intelligence.” The theme reflects the industry’s growing focus on developing advanced packaging solutions that enhance product safety, strengthen supply chains, promote standardisation, integrate smart technologies and support environmental sustainability.

The inaugural ceremony began with the traditional lighting of the lamp. Shri R. K. Mishra, IRS, Director, Indian Institute of Packaging, delivered the welcome address and welcomed the distinguished guests and participants. Prof. (Dr.) Tanweer Alam, Additional Director and Regional Officer, IIP–Delhi, then presented an overview of the summit and outlined the key objectives and significance of the Packaging 5S-AI framework.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the inauguration of the Design Lab at IIP Delhi, aimed at strengthening innovation, research and skill development in the packaging sector.

In his inaugural address, Shri Ajay Bhadoo emphasised that the packaging sector is undergoing rapid transformation driven by digital technologies, sustainability priorities and evolving consumer expectations. He noted that the integration of automation and artificial intelligence can significantly improve productivity, reduce wastage and enhance product safety. He also highlighted that quality and standardised packaging play a crucial role in helping Indian products meet global standards, strengthening exports and improving their competitiveness in international markets.

The event also featured addresses by Shri P. R. Bantwal, Chairman, IIP and Chairman & Managing Director, Suprabha Protective Products Pvt. Ltd.; Shri Deepak Mishra, Joint Secretary, Department of Consumer Protection, Government of India; Mr. Ashok Chaturvedi, Chairman and Managing Director, UFlex Ltd.; and Ms. Luciana Pellegrino, President of the World Packaging Organisation, who joined the summit online.

Speaking on the theme, Prof. (Dr.) Tanweer Alam described Packaging 5S-AI as a transformative approach for the industry. He said that integrating safety, security and standardisation with smart technologies and artificial intelligence can strengthen traceability, improve quality control and enhance supply chain efficiency, while sustainability must remain central to innovation. He also highlighted initiatives such as One District One Product (ODOP) packaging support, cluster-based packaging development under government programmes, and the promotion of packaging standards aligned with APEDA specifications, aimed at strengthening packaging capabilities for regional and export-oriented products.

Highlighting the scale of the event, Prof. Alam said the summit has brought together around 1,500 participants, including policymakers, industry leaders, academicians and startups, along with nearly 50 international delegates from countries such as the United States, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Mauritius, Zambia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Uganda, the Maldives, the Gambia and Singapore.

The Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) is also undertaking several initiatives to promote sustainable and innovative packaging solutions in collaboration with industry and government departments. Among its initiatives is the development of improved packaging for traditional products such as Nolen Gur from West Bengal, which has enhanced its portability and significantly increased its shelf life. The institute is also conducting training programmes for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) under initiatives such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) to help rural entrepreneurs adopt better packaging practices for agro and forest-based products. According to the institute, effective packaging can increase the market value of products by more than 10 percent, improving their marketability.

Through research, training and industry partnerships, IIP continues to strengthen India’s packaging capabilities while supporting exporters and manufacturers in ensuring that products reach global markets safely and in optimal condition. The discussions and collaborations at ISPI 2026 are expected to further accelerate innovation in the sector and contribute to the growth of India’s manufacturing and export ecosystem.

Dollar Supported as Middle East Tensions Spur Inflationary Risks

Today’s markets analysis on behalf of Abdelaziz Albogdady Market Research & Fintech Strategy Manager at FXEM ‘

The dollar remained firm on Thursday, while Treasury yields edged higher. Escalating tensions in the Middle East and supply disruptions continue to propel energy prices upward, raising fears of inflationary pressures and keeping yields supported.

Markets could continue to reassess the odds of a Federal Reserve monetary policy easing, gradually reducing the number of interest rate cuts expected. Geopolitical tensions could also continue to drive demand for the dollar as a safe-haven asset.

While the latest inflation data in the US came up in line with expectations, attention could remain focused on the impact of rising oil prices. Core inflation for February cooled to 0.2%, while headline inflation rose to 0.3% on a monthly basis.

Looking ahead, the focus could turn to this week’s key economic data, including GDP growth and PCE figures, which could influence the Fed’s next move and market expectations. Signs of an economic slowdown or disinflation could put pressure on the dollar.

However, the developments in the Middle East could continue to be the main driver for the currency. In the meantime, today’s initial jobless claims could also introduce volatility into the markets.