Author: Neel Achary

From Tap to Takeoff: Axis Bank and Scapia Launch Co-Branded Credit Card for India’s New Generation of Travellers

Bangalore, Sep 04: Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, and Scapia, India’s travel fintech, unveiled the Scapia Axis Bank Credit Card, designed for India’s new generation of travellers who see every spend as a step towards their next journey. The card brings payments, rewards and travel together on one connected app – letting customers manage and track spends, book travel and redeem rewards, all through Scapia. Every eligible spend and UPI transaction earns rewards, which are redeemable across flights, stays, experiences, shopping and more. Available on both Mastercard and RuPay networks, the card delivers a seamless digital experience from tap to takeoff for all spends.

The partnership brings together Axis Bank’s leadership in cards and payments and Scapia’s travel-first platform to create a differentiated proposition for digitally savvy travellers. The collaboration is designed to seamlessly integrate payments, rewards and travel, delivering an experience that is more intuitive, relevant and rewarding.

Arnika Dixit, Group Head – Cards, Payments and Wealth Management, Axis Bank, said,

“Our partnership with Scapia reflects a shared focus on building products that are simple, digital-first, and closely aligned with how customers experience travel today. By combining our capabilities in payments with Scapia’s travel ecosystem, we aim to create a more connected experience that goes beyond traditional co-branded offerings and delivers meaningful value across the customer journey. This collaboration is centred around making travel more intuitive and seamless for customers, with solutions that are better integrated into how they discover, plan, and experience their journeys—enabling greater convenience, flexibility, and value at every step.”

Anil Goteti, Founder and CEO, Scapia, said,

 “We are excited to partner with Axis Bank – this is a new chapter for us. Young Indians are travelling more than ever before, and we built Scapia to give them a financial product that matches that ambition. One app where they can spend, book their trips, shop for travel and earn rewards, all designed around the traveller. Our users have already taken Scapia to over 175 countries, and together with Axis Bank, we can now bring this to more Indians across the country.”

Cardholders can earn up to 10% rewards on eligible everyday spends and upto 20% rewards in the form of Scapia Coins on eligible travel bookings redeemable across flights, stays, visas, experiences, and more on the Scapia platform. Beyond rewards, the Scapia app enables customers to discover, plan and book their trips, while its curated travel store brings together the brands and products travellers love, all in one place.

For international travellers, the card offers zero forex markup and Smart Forex capability that provide greater visibility and control on overseas spends. Cardholders can also enjoy a range of airport privileges across lounges, dining and premium retail. Complementing these benefits are fully digital onboarding and card management through the Scapia app..

Gautam Aggarwal, President, India & South Asia, Mastercard, said,

“Travel has become one of the most vibrant segments of India’s consumer economy, fuelled by rising aspirations, greater mobility, and stronger global connectivity. As travellers increasingly seek payment experiences that are seamless, secure, and globally accepted, collaborations such as this one become critical. Together with Axis Bank and Scapia, we are enabling a smarter travel payments experience that delivers greater convenience and confidence, helping consumers transact effortlessly wherever their journeys take them.”

Sohini Rajola, Executive Director Growth, NPCI said,

“RuPay has played a key role in driving the adoption of digital payments across India by making transactions simple, convenient, and accessible for consumers. Today, cardholders can link their RuPay Credit Card to their preferred UPI app and make seamless payments by simply scanning UPI QR codes across millions of merchants across the country. This partnership builds on that convenience by combining premium travel benefits with the reliability and widespread acceptance of the RuPay network, making travel rewards and experiences more accessible to a wider set of consumers.”

The collaboration reflects a shared belief that the future of financial services lies in seamlessly embedding payments into the experiences customers value most. For Axis Bank, the partnership strengthens its co-branded cards strategy and deepens its presence in high-growth travel and digital-first segments. For Scapia, it marks its third banking collaboration and a significant milestone in expanding its platform to a wider base of Indian travellers.

Onboarding for the Scapia Axis Bank Credit Card begins September 3rd onwards.

Bybit Pay Partners with Mesh to Expand Digital Asset Payments Across Mesh-Powered Platforms

National, September 3, 2026 — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, today announced a partnership with Mesh, the leading crypto payments network, enabling Bybit’s 80 million users to use their Bybit balances to fund accounts and make payments across Mesh-powered platforms through Bybit Pay.

The integration removes the need for users to withdraw funds, manually convert assets, or move money between platforms before making a payment. When a Bybit user goes to top up an account or check out on a Mesh-powered platform, they can select Bybit Pay as a payment option and access the assets they already hold on Bybit. For businesses, the integration provides a direct connection to Bybit’s global user base and enables them to accept payments from Bybit users through their existing Mesh integration.

As digital assets and stablecoins become increasingly integrated into everyday commerce, the ability to move value between the platforms where it is held and where it is needed is becoming an important part of payment infrastructure. For Mesh’s customers, the partnership expands their access to one of the largest and most active user bases in crypto. For Bybit, it extends the utility of assets held on its platform to more payment experiences, supporting its broader focus on building a more connected global payments ecosystem.

“Bybit has built one of the most engaged communities in crypto,” said Bam Azizi, CEO and Co-founder of Mesh. “People shouldn’t have to move their money to use it. We bring the network to where the money already is.”

“Bybit Pay is designed to remove the friction between holding digital assets and using them to pay. Users can pay directly from their Bybit balance, using the asset they already hold, while platforms receive the asset they want. Our partnership with Mesh brings this capability to more payment experiences and strengthens Bybit Pay’s role in connecting digital assets with the broader payments ecosystem,” said Sophie Chen, Head of Marketing, Bybit Card & Pay.

With Bybit Pay, businesses can tap into Bybit’s global user base while benefiting from seamless payment experiences, quick settlement and infrastructure designed to support payments at scale. Its flexible architecture also enables programmable settlement options, giving businesses greater control over how and when funds are settled across markets.

The partnership reflects Bybit Pay’s broader focus on strengthening its position across the global payments industry by connecting digital assets with more payment platforms and experiences. Through partnerships and integrations across the payments ecosystem, Bybit Pay is building new ways for businesses to serve crypto users while giving Bybit users greater utility for the assets they already hold.

Bybit Pay is available to businesses on Mesh today. Platforms already integrated with Mesh can enable it as a payment option through their existing Mesh integration.

Global Battery Packaging Market Poised for Strong Growth

New Delhi, Sep 3: The global battery packaging market is witnessing steady growth as demand for electric vehicles, consumer electronics and energy storage systems continues to rise.

The market was valued at around $37.4 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 12.1 per cent from 2026 to 2035, reaching nearly $117.2 billion by 2035.

The growing production of electric vehicles is one of the main factors driving demand for battery packaging. Batteries need strong and reliable packaging to protect them from heat, impact, moisture and other risks during use, storage and transportation.

Lithium-ion batteries account for the largest share of the market, supported by their widespread use in electric vehicles, smartphones, laptops and energy storage systems.

Asia Pacific is currently the largest regional market, accounting for about 30.5 per cent of global consumption. China, Japan and South Korea remain major battery manufacturing centres and together account for more than 70 per cent of global lithium-ion cell production.

Metal packaging continues to dominate because aluminium and steel offer strength and protection. Aluminium is also gaining popularity because it is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and recyclable.

At the same time, companies are increasingly using plastics and composite materials to reduce weight and improve the safety and efficiency of battery packs.

Corrugated packaging is another major segment, particularly for transporting batteries. Its lightweight structure, durability and recyclability make it suitable for protecting batteries during storage and shipment.

The industry is also moving towards more sustainable packaging solutions. Manufacturers are exploring recyclable materials and lighter designs as environmental concerns and regulations gain importance.

With electric mobility and renewable energy storage expanding worldwide, the battery packaging industry is expected to see continued investment and create new opportunities across manufacturing, materials, recycling and logistics.

Stackoo Makes Mumbai Debut with Premium Stationery and Lifestyle Retail Experience

Mumbai, Sep 03: From thoughtfully chosen writing instruments to art supplies, contemporary gifting and workspace essentials, Stackoo is bringing a more immersive approach to everyday retail to Mumbai. The premium lifestyle concept by Linc Limited has opened its second store in India at Sky City

Inaugurated by Mr. Aloke Jalan, Whole-time Director, Linc Limited, the new destination brings together 2000+ SKUs spanning premium and everyday writing instruments, stationery, notebooks and paper products, art and colour supplies, office essentials, lifestyle accessories, school supplies and gifting. Created for a discerning mix of students, young professionals, artists, creators, corporate executives and gifting consumers, the store brings together utility and aesthetics within a contemporary retail setting.

Speaking on the Mumbai opening, Mr. Aloke Jalan, Whole-time Director, Linc Limited, said,

“Stackoo was created with a simple yet powerful thought, that the things we use every day can inspire us, reflect our personality and elevate ordinary moments. Mumbai is an exciting market for a concept rooted in creativity, quality and self-expression. Following our Kolkata debut, this store represents our intent to take Stackoo to more consumers while building a distinctive retail experience around discovery, design and premium products.”

At Stackoo Mumbai, the experience extends beyond browsing shelves. The store has been designed as an engaging environment where visitors can discover, interact with and experience products before making them their own. A standout feature is the POSCA Experience Wall, an interactive space where customers can experiment with POSCA markers across a variety of surfaces. Complementing this is a dedicated workshop and live demonstration area, creating opportunities for creative engagement and product discovery.

The assortment brings together an extensive selection across writing, art, paper, workspace, lifestyle, education and gifting. The premium portfolio features internationally recognised brands such as LAMY and Cross, alongside leading in-house Indian and International brands including Linc, Pentonic, Uniball, Morris, Swype and Deli. For occasions that call for something more personal, gift-wrapping and personalisation services add a bespoke touch to Stackoo’s gifting experience.

With the Mumbai store, Stackoo is taking a broader view of what a stationery and lifestyle destination can be, bringing together innovation, productivity, design and self-expression under one roof. The proposition reflects Linc Limited’s larger ambition to build Stackoo into a distinctive premium retail brand that resonates with consumers seeking products that are not only functional, but also considered, well-designed and inspiring.

Mr. Deepak Jalan, Managing Director, Linc Limited, said, “Stackoo represents our evolving understanding of the modern consumer, someone who values quality, design and experience as much as functionality. Mumbai gives us an opportunity to introduce this proposition to a new and diverse audience. The opening of our second store is a meaningful milestone for the brand, and we see significant potential to build Stackoo into a premium lifestyle destination with a strong retail identity of its own.”

With its blend of curated merchandise, globally recognised brands and interactive experiences, Stackoo Mumbai aims to create a destination that appeals to the everyday shopper as well as the discerning collector, creative professional and thoughtful gift buyer.

Thai Airways selects CHAMP’s cargo management suite Cargospot neo to enhance their service levels and customer experience

Bangkok, Sep 03: Thai Airways International, Thailand’s flag carrier and an air cargo provider in the region, has selected CHAMP Cargosystems to support its ambitious cargo transformation with the deployment of theCargospot neo suite of applications, built on CHAMP’s next-generation neo Platform.

This strategic investment reinforces THAI’s commitment to elevating customer experience, driving operational excellence, and accelerating sustainable growth, forming a key pillar of its broader post-rehabilitation transformation strategy.

As competition intensifies and customer expectations continue to rise, THAI is modernizing its cargo operations to deliver faster, more reliable, and fully digital services.Through the implementation of Cargospot neo, THAI gains a modern, automation-driven cargo management system that enhances end-to-end visibility, agility, and service consistency. Customers and partners will benefit from faster booking processes, real-time shipment tracking, and greater transparency across the entire cargo journey.At the heart of this transformation is the CHAMP neo Platform, featuring an API-native architecture with native AI at its core, enabling THAI to move from fragmented processes to a fully connected, real-time operating model across commercial, operational, and financial functions.

As part of the transformation, THAI has also selected Cargospot neo Revenue Management, CHAMP’s new and advanced yield optimization solution. By combining capacity and demand forecasting with dynamic pricing in a unified machine learning–powered workflow, the solution will enableTHAI to optimize revenue performance while maintaining the right balance between competitiveness and profitability.The comprehensive Cargospot neo suitesolution contracted by THAI creates a seamless, fully integrated cargo ecosystem, streamlining the airline’s end-to-end operations across sales, reservations, handling, warehouse management, load planning, revenue management, and data analytics.This end-to-end digital foundation replaces siloed workflows with a single source of truth, improving efficiency, reducing manual intervention, and enhancing service reliability.

Mr. Surapon Pisutpattana, Managing Director of THAI Cargo Terminal Service at Thai Airways, says:

“Selecting CHAMP and Cargospot neo as our Cargo Management System (CMS) was a natural choice as we continue to accelerate our digital transformation. Our longstanding partnership through Traxon cargoHUB has consistently demonstrated CHAMP’s reliability and commitment to service excellence. We have also seen first-hand how Cargospot enhances operational efficiency, with leading cargo operators in Thailand achieving new levels of performance through the platform. By adopting the CHAMP neo Platform, we are taking another significant step forward—connecting our operations in real time, strengthening our ability to manage capacity and demand more dynamically, and delivering a more responsive, customer-centric cargo experience.”

A key factor in THAI’s decision was CHAMP’s neo Platform, which underpins the majority of its end-to-end portfolio. Built on an API-native architecture and enhanced with embedded generative AI and automation capabilities, the platform delivers a modern, scalable, and highly resilient digital foundation.

Manuel Galindo, CEOat CHAMP, adds:

 “With the Cargospot neo suite and the addition of Cargospot neo Revenue Management, THAI are investing in a scalable, future-ready platform that will strengthen their competitiveness, support their growth ambitions, and enable them to deliver exceptional value to their customers in an increasingly digital and demanding air cargo market.”

Together, CHAMP and Thai Airways are setting a new benchmark for digital air cargo operations, combining AI-driven intelligence, real-time visibility and end-to-end integration to meet the evolving needs of the global logistics ecosystem. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in delivering a smarter, more connected, and customer-centric cargo experience.

JK Cement inaugurates its construction chemicals manufacturing unit in Ras Al Khaimah

(L-R) RAKEZ CXO Ian Hunt, JK DryChem CEO & Director – UAE & Africa Business Amit Kothari and JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania.

Ras Al Khaimah, Sept 03: JK DryChem Industries LLC, a subsidiary of India’s leading cement manufacturing giant JK Cement, has officially launched its manufacturing facility in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), marking the next phase of the company’s expansion in the UAE and wider region.

Spanning 5,000 m², the new plant will manufacture advanced construction chemicals and additives, strengthening JK Cement’s production capabilities in the region and bringing its products closer to customers across key markets.

The facility’s inauguration ceremony was attended by JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania and RAKEZ Chief Customer Experience Officer Ian Hunt, along with senior executives from JK Cement and RAKEZ.

The plant will produce a range of high-performance construction solutions, including liquid admixtures, prepared additives, dry-mix materials and coatings designed to support greater efficiency and sustainability across construction applications.

RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, “Seeing JK Cement’s facility move from plans on paper to an operational manufacturing plant in short time is an important milestone. Investments like this add depth to Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial base by bringing new production capabilities and stronger regional supply chains into the emirate. We are pleased to have supported JK Cement through this journey and look forward to seeing its operations grow from the emirate into markets across the region and beyond.”

JK Cement Group MD Dr. Raghavpat Singhania said, “The launch of this facility is an important step in strengthening our presence in the UAE and expanding our construction chemicals business across international markets. Establishing local manufacturing gives us greater proximity to our customers, strengthens our supply capabilities and creates a strong platform for future growth. We appreciate the support provided by RAKEZ throughout the development of the facility, and we look forward to building on this investment.”

With operations now underway, the facility will initially serve customers across the UAE and GCC region, with plans to expand exports to Africa and rest of the world. Its location in RAKEZ’s Al Ghail Industrial Zone also provides access to Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial and logistics infrastructure for the movement of raw materials and finished products.

As major construction, real estate and infrastructure developments across Ras Al Khaimah continue to gather momentum, demand for advanced building materials and construction solutions is set to grow alongside them. This creates a timely opportunity for manufacturers such as JK DryChem to establish local production, serve an expanding regional market and participate in the emirate’s next phase of development. 

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem Renews Call for Respect Toward Race Stewards Ahead of F1 Italian Grand Prix

Founder of UAOA campaign says Monza shows all that is best about Formula One and vast majority of fans have only good things to say about the sport, and those making it happen

Dubai, UAE, 3^rd September, 2026: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has made a renewed appeal for an end to online abuse of race stewards ahead of this weekend’s FIA Formula One Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

This follows the targeting of FIA stewards after they applied sporting penalties in line with FIA regulations during the recent Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

Ben Sulayem, who will be in attendance at Monza, founded the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse campaign in 2023 as a global initiative dedicated to combatting online abuse in sport through research, policy advocacy, and collaborative action.

The UAOA is now endorsed by more than 75 governments, sports, academic institutions and technology organisations, and is supported by the FIA Foundation and co-funded by the European Union.

“Over the last three years, we have been greatly encouraged by the overall response to the UAOA, which condemns all forms of abuse and harassment,” said the FIA President.

“Disagreement with decisions is part of sport, but it must never justify threats or personal attacks, such as those experienced by our race stewards at the Dutch Grand Prix.

“As one of the oldest motor racing venues in the world, Monza is steeped in tradition and characterises all that is best in F1, and motor racing in general.

“I’m looking forward to another fantastic race weekend in Italy, as are all the passionate Italian F1 fans, and race lovers around the world. The vast majority of fans have only good things to say about the sport, and all those who make it happen.”

 

Ben Sulayem says he is particularly looking forward to sampling the special atmosphere at Monza, where the excitement will be heightened Italy’s Kimi Antonelli leading the F1 drivers’ standings, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are both in the hunt for race and final championship podium places.

The FIA President arrives in Monza following a busy week in South America which began when he met senior leaders of the Republic of Chile in Santiago, and specifically held discussions with the President of the Republic of Chile, H.E. José Antonio Kast, who became the latest world leader to sign the FIA’s United Against Online Abuse charter.

From Chile, Ben Sulayem moved on to Paraguay for discussions with President Santiago Peña on global motor sport and mobility issues as the country staged the latest round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

Next stop for the FIA President was Buenos Aires for the FIA’s American Congress where he joined representatives from 32 Member Clubs across North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, for three days of collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.