6, Oct 2026
SWELECT Appoints Pradeep Kumar Madhur as Chief Business Officer
- Former LONGi India business leader to drive growth across EPC, IPP, solar module and channel businesses
CHENNAI, India, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SWELECT Energy Systems Limited has appointed Pradeep Kumar Madhur as Chief Business Officer (CBO), effective October 1, 2026. He will lead sales and business development across the company’s Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), Independent Power Producer (IPP), channel and solar module businesses.

The appointment is aimed at strengthening SWELECT’s commercial strategy by bringing its key business verticals under a unified leadership structure. This will enable the company to align its sales and business development efforts across the solar value chain, offering customers an integrated portfolio spanning rooftop and ground-mounted solar projects, long-term solar power solutions and solar modules.
Madhur brings over 17 years of experience in the solar and power infrastructure sectors across India and the Asia-Pacific region. His expertise spans solar module and inverter sales, business development and market expansion. He joins SWELECT from Lerri Solar Technology India (LONGi Solar), where he served as Senior Director and Country Business Leader. During his tenure, he led a business generating over USD 1 billion annually. Under his leadership, LONGi’s India business rose from 17th position in the market to No. 1 within a year, a position it held from 2020 to 2022.
Earlier, Madhur was part of the founding team at Sungrow India, where he played a key role in establishing the company’s presence in the solar inverter market, with over 4 GW deployed during its first three years. He also held positions at Raychem RPG and Crompton Greaves, working across power systems and managing key accounts for large thermal power and high-voltage grid projects.
Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Arulkumar Shanmugasundaram, CEO and Managing Director, SWELECT Energy Systems Limited, said, “Pradeep brings significant experience in building and scaling businesses in India’s solar industry, having held leadership roles at Sungrow and LONGi. As we expand across EPC, IPP, solar modules and energy storage, strengthening our commercial leadership will be important to driving growth across these businesses and delivering greater value to customers. His experience in market development and customer engagement will support our efforts to scale our integrated solar offerings. We welcome him to SWELECT and look forward to his contribution to our next phase of growth.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pradeep Kumar Madhur said, “I am pleased to join SWELECT at an important time for India’s renewable energy sector. The company’s combination of in-house manufacturing, EPC capabilities, an IPP portfolio and four decades of expertise in power electronics provides a strong foundation for growth. I look forward to working with the team to strengthen our market presence, deepen customer relationships and deliver integrated solar solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers across the country.”
Madhur holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology and an MBA in International Business.
About SWELECT Energy Systems Ltd.
Established in 1984, as a UPS and Power Protection Systems leader, SWELECT Energy Systems Limited has emerged as a leading solar power solutions company with a robust presence in the global energy market.
SWELECT has three core businesses — IPP Business with Energy Sales to C&I and Government Customers, Ground Mounted and Rooftop EPC business, and Channel-driven product business (Home, BESS solutions) for Residential and Commercial customers.
The businesses are built on a strong manufacturing base of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Modules, Module Mounting Structures (MMS), String Combiner Boxes, ACDB, DCDB etc. With a vertically integrated manufacturing structure, all our businesses offer high-quality MADE IN SWELECT products in line with the Government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
SWELECT also carries the strong legacy of Numeric, India’s leading UPS solutions brand, under which it built deep expertise in power electronics and battery energy systems for over two decades. In 2012, the company transitioned from Numeric to SWELECT, symbolising its evolution from “Power to Energy” and establishing itself as a trusted leader in the solar energy sector. “We make every home, SMEs and C&I to save solar energy to enjoy extended green power when the sun shines and thereafter.”
For more information, please visit: www.swelectes.com
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- By Sai Krishna
6, Oct 2026
CreditNirvana Launches India’s First Integrated AI Suite for Voice Co-Browsing and Agentic Debt Collections Orchestration
- CognifAI Assist guides customers in the digital lending and servicing process through voice and visual co-browsing, while ORCA uses 200+ AI agents to orchestrate account-level collections.
- 60-70% of collection journeys completed autonomously without human intervention, driven by outcome-based models.
BENGALURU, India, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CreditNirvana, a Perfios company focused on agentic AI-driven debt management, today introduced ORCA and CognifAI Assist, an integrated AI suite that helps lenders collect at 40% lower cost with a 30% higher connect rate, and complete 60-70% of collection journeys autonomously without any human intervention.

As digital lending continues to accelerate, financial institutions face a persistent dual challenge of steep customer drop-off rates during complex onboarding processes like re-KYC and loan origination, paired with escalating debt collection costs caused by rigid, repetitive outreach strategies. Overcoming these hurdles has historically required costly, time-consuming core infrastructure overhauls that slow down innovation and strain operational margins.
CreditNirvana resolves this through a non-intrusive agentic AI layer that can be easily deployed over existing banking portals, mobile applications, and third-party systems without requiring core-system overhauls. CognifAI and ORCA function as AI solutions within CreditNirvana’s broader agentic portfolio, operating with its flagship debt collection platform, Maestro, to deliver targeted automation across distinct stages of the credit lifecycle.
Unlike conventional collections platforms that rely on predefined sequences of calls, messages and follow-ups, ORCA uses an agentic, contextualised and closed-loop approach to decide the next best action for each account, execute it, observe outcomes and adapt subsequent strategies.
Powered by more than 200 specialised AI agents, ORCA coordinates collections across digital, voice, calling, field and legal touchpoints. Lenders define recovery objectives and constraints, while ORCA determines account-level strategies within lender-defined compliance guardrails and with human-in-the-loop control.
Vinay Sathyanarayan, CEO of CreditNirvana, said, “The future of lending lies in making every customer interaction more contextual, efficient and seamless. With CognifAI and ORCA, we are extending the agentic AI layer across the lending lifecycle, from helping customers navigate digital journeys to enabling lenders to make more informed, account-level collections decisions leading to better collection strategy. Our focus is on combining measurable business outcomes with responsible AI deployment, customer experience and compliance guardrails.”
ORCA’s measurement framework incorporates baselines, controls and outcome attribution. Its four interconnected layers – Signals, Decision, Execution and Measurement, continuously assess borrower behaviour, delinquency, promise-keeping and channel response, real time financial data to strategize collections decisions.
Complementing ORCA, CognifAI combines an AI voice assistant capable of conversing across multiple Indian regional languages as well as global languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, and Bahasa, with secure visual co-browsing to guide customers screen-by-screen through digital lending, origination, and servicing journeys. Operating as an overlay requiring no app downloads, it highlights fields, pre-fills data, and supports in-session rate and tenure negotiations within approved guardrails. To protect sensitive customer information, CognifAI incorporates end-to-end encryption and field-level data masking for PAN, OTP, and account data, enabling lenders to achieve 30% higher journey completion and 35% lower handling time.
Together, CognifAI and ORCA extend AI-led assistance and automation across customer acquisition, onboarding, servicing and collections. Built on CreditNirvana’s enterprise-grade architecture, the platform currently orchestrates over $30 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) across 100+ million loan accounts.
By unifying real-time voice guidance with autonomous collections intelligence, CreditNirvana is setting a new operational benchmark for digital financial services. As lenders navigate evolving regulatory standards and rising customer expectations, this enterprise-grade AI suite provides a scalable, compliant foundation for institutions seeking to maximize lifetime customer value, reduce operational friction, and drive sustainable credit growth.
About CreditNirvana
CreditNirvana, a Perfios company, provides AI-driven solutions across the lending lifecycle, helping financial institutions enhance collections, improve operational efficiency and deliver more contextual borrower experiences. Its technology combines AI-led decisioning, automation and analytics to support financial institutions in managing lending and collections workflows. CreditNirvana platform currently touches over $30 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM) across 100+ million loan accounts. For more information, visit creditnirvana.ai.
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6, Oct 2026
Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026 Wraps Up With 9,000+ Business Meetings
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6 (UDN): The seventh edition of Odisha Travel Bazaar (OTB) 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar on Monday, recording more than 9,000 Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Government (B2G) meetings as Odisha stepped up efforts to expand its footprint in the domestic and international tourism market.

Pic Credit: x.com/DDNewsOdia
The three-day tourism event, organised by the Odisha Tourism Department in collaboration with FICCI at MAYFAIR Sanctuary, brought together more than 200 buyers and over 100 tourism businesses from across India and abroad.
The event featured 145 domestic tour operators from 32 cities and 45 international operators representing 27 countries. The interactions provided Odisha-based tourism stakeholders with opportunities to build partnerships, explore new markets and develop business collaborations.
OTB 2026 showcased the state’s diverse tourism offerings, including heritage and spiritual destinations, beaches, wildlife, nature, adventure, tribal culture and culinary experiences.

Focus on Tourism Investment
Investment promotion emerged as a key component of this year’s event. Around 40 leading hospitality brands from across the country and nearly 250 investors from Odisha participated in discussions on opportunities in the state’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
Officials highlighted the state’s tourism policies, investment incentives, land availability, simplified approval processes and investor facilitation mechanisms aimed at encouraging private investment.

Push for MICE Tourism
The event also placed special emphasis on Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Industry representatives and policymakers discussed the infrastructure and policy support required to position Odisha as a preferred destination for major corporate and business events.
The Odisha MICE Incentive Portal was inaugurated during a dedicated roundtable, offering a digital platform for promoting MICE tourism and facilitating applications for eligible incentives.
Culture and Cuisine Take Centre Stage
Odisha’s rich culinary traditions, handicrafts, culture and local experiences were also showcased during the event. Celebrity chef and Odisha’s official brand ambassador for Odia cuisine, Ranveer Brar, participated in the programme.
To give visiting tourism professionals first-hand exposure to the state’s lesser-known attractions, eight familiarisation (FAM) tours were organised before and after the main event.
With thousands of business interactions and participation from stakeholders across multiple markets, OTB 2026 is expected to strengthen tourism linkages, attract fresh investments and further enhance Odisha’s visibility as a diverse tourism destination.
6, Oct 2026
AAEON Introduces the RTC-1030, A Rugged Mobile Tablet for Challenging Field Environments
A rugged device with wireless connectivity and hot-swappable batteries, the RTC-1030 targets field inspection, logistics, and manufacturing.

Taipei, Taiwan – Oct 06: Leading embedded computing company AAEON (Stock Code: 6579) today announced the release of the RTC-1030, a 10.1″ rugged mobile tablet designed for use in challenging environments such as field inspection, warehouse management, logistics, and manufacturing. The tablet is the latest addition to AAEON’s Rugged Tablet Computer collection, and the first in the series to feature an Intel® Processor N-series CPU and LPDDR5 system memory.
Given the environments it is designed to operate in, the RTC-1030 is built to be robust, with IP65-rated environmental sealing and a 10.1”, 425-nit projected capacitive multi-touch screen. In addition to this, the tablet lists MIL-STD-810H-tested drop, shock, and vibration resistance and an operating temperature range of -20°C to 50°C.
For continuous in-field use, the tablet supports two 32.7W hot-swappable batteries and offers an 8-hour battery life, with both DC jack and optional USB Type-C charging options available.
Beyond its rugged design, the RTC-1030 provides a number of technical enhancements over previous models from AAEON’s RTC collection, including a 5MP front camera and a 13MP rear camera with flash. Highlights from its I/O include three USB Type-A ports (one USB 3.2 Gen 1, two USB 2.0) and one USB Type-C port with display port functionality, as well as Gigabit Ethernet and a COM port supporting RS-232/422/485.
For wireless connectivity, the RTC-1030 provides Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.3, with optional LTE supported through an M.2 slot. Additional connectivity and storage options include SIM card and Micro SD card slots. The tablet supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, and QZSS, with GPS and GLONASS provided by default, while storage comes in the form of an M.2 SSD, with 128GB by default, but capacities up to 1TB available upon request.
The RTC-1030 runs on Windows® 11 IoT Enterprise GAC, bringing familiar Windows applications into rugged field environments.
6, Oct 2026
SUSS enters Wafer-Cleaning Market with launch of GreenTec Solutions Product Line and first GT200 System
- Product portfolio expansion into growing wafer-cleaning market driven by advanced packaging applications
- GreenTec Solutions enable sustainable wafer cleaning with reduced chemical consumption and without hazardous acids
- Proven TurbulenStrip™1 and CrustBuster™2 technologies extend established SUSS expertise from photomask processing to wafer-level production
- GT200 is the first GreenTec Solutions platform, addressing 200 mm process development, qualification, and production applications
- Scalable roadmap from R&D and qualification to 200 mm and 300 mm high-volume manufacturing
GARCHING, Germany, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SUSS MicroTec SE (MDAX/TecDAX: SMHN), a leading supplier of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry, today announces its entry into the wafer-level cleaning market with the launch of the new GreenTec Solutions product line and the introduction of its first system, the GT200.
The launch expands SUSS’ technology portfolio into the growing wafer-cleaning market, which today represents an addressable market of approximately €5.4 billion3 and is driven by advanced packaging, heterogeneous integration and increasing semiconductor demand from AI and high-performance computing applications.
“GreenTec Solutions marks an important milestone in the execution of our Ambition 2030 strategy. By expanding into wafer-level cleaning, we are entering an attractive market with significant long-term growth potential while leveraging proven technologies and process expertise from our existing portfolio. Our differentiated approach combines strong cleaning performance, significantly lower chemical consumption and the elimination of hazardous acids. This creates tangible benefits for customers and positions SUSS for future growth in advanced semiconductor manufacturing,” says Burkhardt Frick, Chief Executive Officer of SUSS.
Proven SUSS technology as a competitive differentiator addressing ESG-needs of the semiconductor industry
At the core of the portfolio is a hybrid cleaning approach that combines the proven SUSS process technologies TurbulenStrip™ and CrustBuster™ from the Photomask Solutions segment in a single platform. TurbulenStrip™ incorporates lower-impact batch soaking and single-wafer handling for efficient resist and residue removal, while CrustBuster™ utilizes patented in-situ UV technology to break down and remove organic materials directly at the wafer surface in a single-wafer process chamber. Together, these technologies enable highly efficient residue removal and process stability while helping customers reduce chemical consumption, support their sustainability targets, and lower overall cost-of-ownership.
The GT200 is specifically designed for research and development, process qualification, and production in 200 mm manufacturing environments for MEMS4, RF5, Power Device and CMOS6 applications. In addition to equipment supply, SUSS supports customers through joint evaluation programs, process co-development and recipe optimization services to accelerate adoption, improve process stability and de-risk technology transfers ahead of volume production ramps.
Clear roadmap toward high-volume manufacturing
Following SUSS’ strategic approach, all platforms of the GreenTec Solutions product line are designed with a focus on a high degree of modularization and standardization with the GT200 serving as the first member of a scalable GreenTec platform. SUSS will expand its portfolio toward high-volume manufacturing (HVM) with a dedicated 300 mm HVM platform in 2027.
“The GreenTec Solutions product line represents our vision for the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing—where sustainability and process excellence go hand in hand. We are building on decades of experience in demanding photomask applications and transferring this expertise now into eco-friendly wafer-level manufacturing. Together with customers and partners, we develop process solutions that support the next generation of microelectronics with a clear focus on reliability, innovation, and responsible resource use. Due to the strong interest from our customers, we are pulling in the launch of a 300 mm HVM solution,” explains Yuta Nagai, Senior Vice President Photomask Solutions at SUSS. A 200 mm HVM platform will follow in 2028. This provides customers with a clear migration path from evaluation to full-scale production.
Please find more information about the GT200 at https://www.suss.com/en/products-solutions/greentec-solutions/wafer-cleaning/gt200
Meet SUSS at SEMICON West
Discover the latest developments in wafer-level cleaning and join our Product Deep Dives at SEMICON West.
Register now: https://www.suss.com/en/company/events/semicon-west
1 TurbulenStrip™ is a trademark of SUSS MicroTec SE
2 CrustBuster™ is a trademark of SUSS MicroTec SE
3 Source: SUSS Research, Yole
4 Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
5 Radio Frequency
6 Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor
Contact
Sabrina Müller
Vice President Investor Relations & Communications
sabrina.mueller@suss.com
+49 160 94989008
www.suss.com
About the GT200
The GT200 is an eco-friendly manufacturing solution for wafer cleaning and stripping processes. It combines photoresist removal, surface activation, and final cleaning in one configurable platform, helping fabs reduce tool fragmentation, simplify process flows, and improve operational efficiency.
By combining greener process media with advanced technologies adapted from proven solutions developed by SUSS’s Photomask Solutions business unit, the GT200 supports shorter process learning cycles, reduced EHS exposure, and lower chemical consumption and hazardous waste generation — without compromising process performance. Its flexible hybrid concept consolidates multiple cleaning and stripping steps, reducing wafer transfers and toolset complexity.
SUSS supports customers throughout implementation with co-development, recipe tuning, and a structured Joint Evaluation Program. This helps accelerate adoption, strengthen process stability, and transfer process know-how from pilot and qualification phases into high-volume manufacturing.
About SUSS
SUSS is a leading global provider of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry. Focused on cutting-edge technology and precision engineering, we enable the production of next-generation microchips and semiconductor devices that power digital progress. Developed in close collaboration with research institutes and industry partners, our solutions fuel the AI and high-performance computing ecosystem and shape the future of intelligent devices and applications worldwide.
Headquartered in Garching, Germany, SUSS has approximately 1,500 employees worldwide and recently generated sales of approximately €500 million. We operate production sites in Germany and Taiwan and development centers in Europe, Asia, and the US, supported by a strong network of sales and service offices with close proximity to our customers. SUSS MicroTec SE is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Prime Standard, FWB: SMHN; ISIN DE000A1K0235) and is part of the TecDAX and MDAX indices. For more information, visit www.suss.com.
Legal Disclaimer
Certain statements made in this release are forward-looking statements or may be construed as such. All information and assessments are based on extremely diligent research. However, this publication is made without a warranty. Any liability is excluded. The above statements do not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities. All rights reserved.
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6, Oct 2026
In the presence of Mansour bin Zayed etisalat launches project to expand digital infrastructure within the UAE and abroad to increase international connectivity to more than 500 Tbps by 2030
More than 500 Tbps of international connectivity is 25 times today’s capacity
ABU DHABI, UAE, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, today witnessed the launch of etisalat’s strategic project to develop and expand digital infrastructure capacity within the UAE and abroad, enhancing the country’s readiness for the increasing demands of AI and strengthening its position on the global digital stage.

His Highness, in his capacity as Chairman of the Emirates Investment Authority (EIA), the main shareholder in etisalat group, was briefed on the group’s plans and future projects to develop digital infrastructure crucial to meeting accelerated growth in AI technologies and the digital economy.
The project includes plans to expand international connectivity capacity to more than 500 terabits per second (Tbps) by 2030, an increase of over twenty-five times of the current capacity, in addition to developing diverse routes designed to enhance connectivity efficiency and reliability, delivering advanced, low-latency performance.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasised the importance of investing in digital infrastructure as a fundamental pillar for supporting emerging technologies and enabling a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. His Highness also stressed the importance of coordinated national efforts and the role of national institutions in advancing the UAE’s AI ambitions and digital economy.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, said: “The UAE continues to invest in building advanced digital infrastructure, guided by its vision for the future and its belief that readiness for what comes next starts with having the enablers that support economic growth, accelerate innovation and strengthen the country’s global competitiveness.
His Highness added: “AI is a central pillar in our development journey moving forward and developing our digital capabilities creates the ecosystem needed to harness its potential and ensure that every institution in this country, public and private, are empowered to build and innovate with AI, at the scale the coming decade will demand, with absolute confidence in the efficiency of the infrastructure beneath it.”
His Highness concluded that the UAE’s ambition extends beyond merely keeping pace with technological transformations. The country aspires to actively contribute to the creation and development of these technologies, noting that high-impact projects in digital infrastructure enhance the country’s readiness for the future and cement its position as a global hub for advanced technology and AI.
His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan also witnessed the launch of etisalat’s 50th anniversary celebrations, unveiling the group’s new vision to become a leading AI-powered and enabling telco as it steps forward under ‘etisalat’ – the name trusted by its customers for fifty years.
This project is the group’s first major commitment under its new strategy, which is built around four business engines: telco, AI and business solutions, infrastructure, and fintech.
His Excellency Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Alzaabi, Chairman of etisalat group, said: “This project reflects our conviction that the UAE should not simply adopt AI, but govern it and build with it. That requires digital infrastructure at a scale that would prepare us for the future.”
His Excellency added: “Moving international connectivity from 20 terabits per second to more than 500 is a strategic step to address the growing challenges facing global data processing and data flow, particularly given the tremendous advancements in AI, and enhances the flexibility and reliability of the infrastructure to meet the requirements of UAE’s AI campuses, global cloud providers, and the group’s operations and customers across its markets. Delivered through diversified routes and low-latency design, the project is set to keep the country’s connection to the global digital economy fast, direct and resilient, while ensuring the UAE’s digital sovereignty.”
His Excellency concluded: “This is the same commitment that has guided this group for fifty years. We marked that anniversary this week by setting out what the next era asks of us, and this project is our answer. In every generation of technology, etisalat has built the infrastructure the nation depends on, ensuring high flexibility and resiliency across all our markets. AI is the defining technology of this generation, and the principle has not changed.”
etisalat group operates across 38 countries and serves more than 250 million subscribers, giving the project reach well beyond the UAE and connecting national infrastructure directly to the global digital ecosystem.
The project also supports the UAE’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced technology and AI, reinforcing the nation’s digital competitiveness and enabling public and private institutions to deploy AI at scale with confidence in the infrastructure that carries it.

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6, Oct 2026
Odisha Swelters in October Heat as Puri, Paradeep, Bhubaneswar Record Near-Record Temperatures
Bhubaneswar, Oct. 6 (UDN): Unseasonal heat continued to grip several parts of Odisha, with Puri, Paradeep and Bhubaneswar recording exceptionally high temperatures for October, according to data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Representational Image
The unusual rise in mercury has made the beginning of October significantly warmer than normal across several coastal and central parts of the state.
Puri Records Second-Highest October Temperature
Puri recorded a maximum temperature of 36.6°C on October 5, making it the second-highest October temperature ever recorded in the coastal city since systematic meteorological records began in 1896.
The reading highlights the unusual intensity of the heat in a month when temperatures generally begin to moderate following the monsoon season.
Paradeep Also Nears October Record
The coastal port town of Paradeep was another major hotspot, recording a maximum of 36.5°C.
According to IMD records, the temperature ranks as the second-highest October maximum recorded in Paradeep since observations began there in 1969.
Bhubaneswar Sees Fifth-Highest October Heat
The state capital Bhubaneswar also remained unusually hot, with the maximum temperature reaching 35.8°C on Monday.
The IMD data shows that this is the fifth-highest October maximum temperature recorded in the city since 1952.
Coastal Odisha Under Persistent Heat
The latest readings indicate that the heat has remained unusually intense across parts of coastal and central Odisha even in the first week of October.
With several locations recording temperatures among their highest ever for the month, the IMD observations point to an unusually warm start to October across the state.
Residents in affected areas are advised to remain cautious during peak afternoon hours, particularly while the unusual heat conditions persist.
6, Oct 2026
Piramal Pharma Solutions Launches New Microbiology Laboratory at Its Lexington, KY Sterile Injectable Facility
- The new microbiology laboratory and sterility testing suite are designed for GMP drug product applications.
- This addition is part of the broader Lexington expansion and includes a dedicated sterility testing isolator, three new biosafety cabinets, and enhanced laboratory capacity.
- The remainder of the expansion, including commercial-scale fill/finish, is expected to be online in late 2027.
MUMBAI, India, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Piramal Pharma Solutions (“PPS”), a leading global Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and part of Piramal Pharma Ltd. (“PPL”) (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635), has opened a new microbiology laboratory at its sterile injectable facility in Lexington, Kentucky. This addition marks a significant step forward in PPS’ ongoing $85 million Lexington expansion, aimed at enhancing commercial-scale capabilities and improving operational efficiency. The new laboratory was released for routine GMP use on September 11, 2026, and shortly thereafter, its new sterility testing suite was conditionally approved, making the lab one of the first major components to come online in the expansion. The full manufacturing expansion is expected to be operational in late 2027.

The new lab more than triples the site’s existing microbiology testing space, supporting improved laboratory workflow and providing additional capacity to accommodate future growth. The added space features three new biosafety cabinets, allowing PPS to run concurrent tests and reduce sample queue times. All incubators have also been consolidated within the new lab, further streamlining workflow and improving monitoring and accessibility across testing activities.
A key element of the lab is a dedicated sterility testing suite with a Grade C background environment, representing a major upgrade from the previously non-classified area. At its center is a fully integrated, Grade A sterility testing isolator that doubles the site’s sterility testing capacity and allows multiple samples to be processed simultaneously. By supporting both open and closed filtration methods, the new isolator provides greater flexibility to meet a wider range of product testing requirements. The area also includes built-in pass-throughs to move samples directly from the manufacturing floor to the lab, reducing contamination risk and protecting product integrity.
These enhancements are expected to reduce testing times by up to 50%, accelerating batch releases, minimizing bottlenecks, and smoothing transitions as programs move from clinical to commercial stages. The new infrastructure also reinforces the site’s contamination control and sterility assurance capabilities, while the added capacity reduces supply risk and prepares the site for commercial-scale demand.
“The new microbiology laboratory represents an important milestone in our Lexington expansion journey,” said Nathan Richardson, VP and Site Head, Piramal Pharma Solutions Lexington. “By enhancing sterility testing and microbiological quality capabilities, we are further strengthening our ability to support clients with high quality, reliable, and responsive services throughout the product life cycle. This investment reflects our continued commitment to operational excellence, patient safety, and the future growth of sterile injectable manufacturing in Lexington.”
The new microbiology lab solidifies PPS’ position as a leader in sterile injectables, empowering Lexington to deliver high quality, reliable, and patient-focused services to small molecule, bioconjugate, and peptide modality clients worldwide.
About Piramal Pharma Solutions
Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS) is a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) offering end-to-end development and manufacturing solutions across the drug life cycle. We serve our customers through a globally integrated network of facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. This enables us to offer a comprehensive range of services including drug discovery solutions, process and pharmaceutical development services, clinical trial supplies, commercial supply of APIs, and finished dosage forms. We also offer specialized services such as the development and manufacture of highly potent APIs, antibody-drug conjugations, sterile fill/finish, peptide products and services, and potent solid oral drug products. PPS also offers development and manufacturing services for biologics including vaccines and gene therapies, made possible through Piramal Pharma Limited’s subsidiary, Yapan Bio Private Limited.
For more information visit: Piramal Pharma Solutions | LinkedIn| Facebook | X
About Piramal Pharma Limited
Piramal Pharma Limited (PPL) (NSE: PPLPHARMA) (BSE: 543635), offers a portfolio of differentiated products and services through its 17 global development and manufacturing facilities and a global distribution network in over 100 countries. PPL includes Piramal Pharma Solutions (PPS), an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization; Piramal Critical Care (PCC), a complex hospital generics business; and the Piramal Consumer Healthcare business, selling over-the-counter consumer and wellness products. In addition, one of PPL’s associate companies, Abbvie Therapeutics India Private Limited, a joint venture between Abbvie and PPL, has emerged as one of the market leaders in the ophthalmology therapy area in the Indian pharma market.
For more information, visit: Piramal Pharma | LinkedIn



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6, Oct 2026
Professor Vladimir Obradović Unanimously Elected President of IPMA World
ZADAR, Croatia, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Professor Vladimir Obradović has been unanimously elected President of the International Project Management Association (IPMA World).
Obradović takes over the position after serving as Vice President of IPMA, where he was involved in the organisation’s international activities and development.
As part of the new leadership team, Tim Jaques (United States) and Giovanni Pisano (Italy) were elected Vice Presidents of IPMA, while professor Mladen Vukomanović (Croatia) was elected Chair of the IPMA Council of Delegates.
IPMA is entering a new phase of global development, aimed at increasing its real-world impact and international visibility by building on the expertise of its Member Associations worldwide.
A key part of this work will focus on strengthening project management capabilities in the private sector, while working with governments and public institutions to improve how major infrastructure and development projects are planned, managed and delivered.
“Sustainability and artificial intelligence will be important priorities as IPMA seeks to support the global project management community by shaping the furure of the profession” said Professor Vladimir Obradović.
Obradović is a professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, with extensive academic and professional experience in project and programme management and a long-standing involvement in IPMA’s international activities.
About IPMA
The International Project Management Association (IPMA) is a global federation of more than 70 national Member Associations, including organisations from the United States, Germany, China, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, India, Canada and Australia, focused on advancing professional standards, competencies and practices in project, programme and portfolio management worldwide.
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6, Oct 2026
World Bank Raises India’s FY27 Growth Forecast to 7.1 pc on Strong Domestic Demand
New Delhi, Oct 6: The World Bank has raised its forecast for India’s economic growth in FY27 to 7.1 per cent from 6.6 per cent earlier, pointing to resilient domestic consumption and stronger-than-expected economic activity.
The upgrade comes despite continued challenges from elevated energy prices, inflationary pressures and an uncertain global environment. The latest assessment suggests that India’s strong domestic market is helping the economy absorb external shocks while maintaining its growth momentum.
Domestic consumption provides a strong cushion
India’s large consumer base continues to be one of the strongest pillars of its economy. Steady demand for goods and services has helped businesses maintain activity even as input and energy costs remain under pressure.
The World Bank has also revised upward its growth outlook for South Asia to 6.9 per cent in 2026, compared with 6.3 per cent earlier, with India expected to account for a significant share of the region’s expansion.
Strong GDP performance supports optimism
The revised outlook follows 7.8 per cent real GDP growth in India during the April-June quarter, highlighting the strength of economic activity at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Continued infrastructure investment, digital expansion and policy reforms are supporting businesses across manufacturing, services, technology and other sectors. Strong domestic demand could further encourage companies to expand capacity, increase investment and create jobs.
Energy costs remain a key concern
The positive outlook is accompanied by risks, particularly from global energy prices.
Higher crude oil prices can raise transportation, manufacturing and logistics costs and put pressure on household spending. As India relies significantly on imported energy, international oil prices remain an important factor influencing inflation and economic growth.
The potential impact of El Niño and other weather disruptions is another factor to watch, particularly because weaker agricultural output could affect food prices and rural consumption.
AI offers fresh productivity opportunities
Artificial intelligence is also emerging as a potential driver of productivity for Indian businesses.
The World Bank assessment indicates that around 23 per cent of Indian firms report using AI, compared with approximately 43 per cent in the United States. While adoption remains lower, the gap represents considerable room for expansion.
Greater use of AI, combined with investment in digital infrastructure and workforce skills, could help Indian companies improve efficiency, develop new products and services and compete more effectively in global markets.
India’s domestic economy remains resilient
The World Bank’s decision to raise the FY27 growth forecast to 7.1 per cent offers a positive signal for businesses and investors amid continuing global uncertainty.
The key challenge will be to preserve the momentum of consumption and investment while managing inflation, energy costs and external risks. Continued reforms, infrastructure development and productivity-enhancing technology could strengthen India’s growth prospects further.
The latest forecast underlines the growing importance of India’s domestic demand as a stabilising force, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s major engines of economic growth.