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.

Roblox Unveils New Programs to Power the Next Generation of Games

New Delhi, Mar 12: Roblox, an immersive gaming and creation platform, today announced two new strategic initiatives to facilitate the creation of novel games—a new wave of games that push the boundaries of genre, gameplay, and visual style to meet the demands of Roblox’s rapidly expanding audience. These experiences will feature expanded genres such as role-play games (RPG), strategy and shooters, and will introduce different gameplay mechanics and a distinct look and feel from classic Roblox games.

New age-checked data reveals a substantial opportunity within the older user cohort. As of January 31, 45% of daily active users (DAUs) have completed the age check, with 27% of this group identified as over 18. This demographic represents a significant growth driver; for example, in the U.S., the 18-34 cohort is growing at over 50%—more than double the rate of the under-18 user base—and monetizes 40% higher.

These programs help target the rapidly growing demographic of users over 18. Leveraging new age-checked data, the company is prioritizing the creation of high-fidelity novel games across popular genres to serve an increasingly diverse, older, and high-value audience.

“The creativity of Roblox developers has always amazed us,” said Vlad Loktev, Chief Creator Ecosystem Officer at Roblox. “Our vision for Roblox is to be the platform for all ages, and we are calling on ambitious creators with bold ideas to build the next generation of experiences. These new programs provide the mentorship, resources, and discovery support needed to turn those visions into commercial hits.”

Empowering Creators Through New Programs

The new programs offer tailored support for different stages of development:

• Roblox Incubator: A six-month, milestone-driven program designed to help experienced teams refine promising concepts of novel games into polished, scalable, commercially successful games. All program participants will gain access to Roblox subject matter experts who will provide mentorship and support, as well as help participants build an audience for their games.
• Roblox Jumpstart: A continuous program designed to help creators who are new to Roblox learn the platform, and help experienced creators explore novel games. Applications for the Jumpstart program open today and will stay open on a rolling basis, and pitches for new games will kick off in person at this year’s Game Developers Conference (GDC) and continue on a rolling basis. Similar to the Incubator, all Jumpstart participants will gain access to Roblox subject matter experts and assistance with on- and off-platform user acquisition programs.

Next-Generation Technology

Roblox’s technology roadmap is laser-focused on providing creators with the tools to build the high-fidelity, compelling experiences that the growing older cohort expects. Features such as SLIM (Scalable Lightweight Interactive Models), Texture Streaming, and server authority allow developers to create visually stunning worlds that scale across devices.

Applications for both the Roblox Incubator and Roblox Jumpstart programs are open today. For more information on selection criteria and how to apply, visit the Roblox Newsroom.

Resources

• Roblox Newsroom: Roblox Announces New Jumpstart and Incubator Programs to Help Creators Expand What’s Possible
• Programs Landing Page: Build on Roblox and Reach Millions
• Creator Hub