Archive: March 1, 2023

V-Guard signs MoU with ESAF Bank to finance Rooftop Solar Systems

Chennai,  2023: V-Guard Industries Ltd, a leading electronics and electrical manufacturer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ESAF Small Finance Bank to provide financing options to customers looking to install V-Guard’s Solar Rooftop Power System. Under the agreement, ESAF Bank will provide various financing options, including loans and attractive installment payment plans. With the strategic alliance with ESAF Bank, consumers can opt to finance up to 80 percent of the total cost of the rooftop solar power system, including the cost of installation for residential or commercial applications. This collaboration will not only reduce the burden on customers to make an upfront payment but also enable them to generate their own electricity, thereby reducing their dependence on the grid. This partnership will enable customers to switch to clean energy with ease and affordability.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Mithun Chittilappilly, Managing Director, V-Guard Industries Ltd., said, “We are excited to partner with ESAF Bank, which shares our vision of making clean energy accessible and affordable to all. With the increased focus on sustainability and the need for cost-effective solutions, Rooftop Solar Power Systems have become an attractive option for consumers. This collaboration will help us reach more customers, who can benefit from our high-quality solar products and ESAF Bank’s affordable financing options.”

Mr. Hari Velloor, Executive Vice President, Business, at ESAF Small Finance Bank, said, “We are delighted to partner with V-Guard, a company that has been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. This partnership will enable us to provide financing options to customers looking to switch to clean energy and contribute to a greener tomorrow. At ESAF Bank, we believe that sustainable development is key to building a better future, and this collaboration is a step towards achieving that goal.”

V-Guard’s Rooftop Solar Systems come with up to 40 percent subsidy from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The solar panels have 25-30 years of onsite warranty. Customers can choose from an extensive range of models from 3- 15 KW depending on their requirements. 1 KW plant can generate 4-5 units of electricity on a sunny day.

Woodward develop new injection systems to support industry’s transition to new fuels

Stuttgart,  2023: Leading engine injection system manufacturer Woodward, has announced it is developing a comprehensive new range of injection systems applicable for new and future fuel-powered engines including methanol and ammonia.

Designed to support the global energy transition to low-carbon fuels, the comprehensive portfolio of injection systems for P2X fuels in large engines will range from 100 kW/Cylinder to over 1000 kW/Cylinder – to enable all possible combustion concepts.

For applications that require the highest levels of power density and efficiency, Woodward is developing a High-Pressure Dual-Fuel (HPDF) platform for methanol and ammonia injection with full diesel backup capability.

The new range of direct solenoid actuated injection systems is perfectly tailored to meet market requirements for simpler and retrofitted systems, including methanol injection systems for Port Fuel Injection (PFI) and Direct Injection (DI). The injectors are designed for optimal atomization of the fuel to enable good mixing and minimize wall wetting.

For gas engines that are adapted to run on gaseous P2X fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia, Woodward’s well-known SOGAV gas admission valves are also being optimized to withstand the properties of these fuels such as poor lubricity, corrosion behavior, and hydrogen embrittlement.

“The combustion engine industry is accelerating its efforts to decarbonize and switch from fossil fuels to alternative fuels produced from renewable sources (P2X) such as hydrogen, methanol, and ammonia, and as a leading global injector manufacturer, we need to ensure we have tailor-made solutions for this transition.

“We are currently collaborating closely with engine OEMs to design and test a range of injector systems that will meet the performance demands of new engines. Current development stages range from full field validation through to SCE and R&D phase with extremely positive results to date,” said Dr. Michael Willmann, Director of Engineering – Large Engine Systems at Woodward.

“There is a broad variety of combustion concepts for these fuels, and the best choice strongly depends on the target application for the user, whether they are in the marine and shipping sector, power generation, or wider industry applications where these engines will be used. We are seeing the creation of a range of solutions to meet specific needs, ” said Willman.

Luxury Home Sales boost revenue collections in Mumbai in Feb. – Up 79 percent in a Year

Mumbai, 1 March 2023: The bull run in Indian luxury housing continues even while property prices are on the rise. As per Inspector General of Registration (IGR), Maharashtra, India’s most expensive city – Mumbai – saw revenue collections from property registrations touch new high in February 2023 at INR 1,102 Cr. This was a whopping 79% jump against February 2022 collections when it stood at INR 615 Cr.

Anuj Puri, Chairman- ANAROCK Group, says, “Interestingly, even while revenue collections went up significantly in the period in Mumbai, the total number of property registrations saw a drop of 8% in the year – from 10,379 total registrations in February 2022 to nearly 9,511 registrations in February 2023. This clearly indicates that the sale of big-ticket price homes (i.e. luxury homes) saw significant movement.”

If we deep-dive into data further, February 2023 has seen the highest revenue collection in Mumbai in the last five years during the same month. Also, in entire FY 2023, we saw February to record the maximum revenue collections.

One major factor for high sales of big-ticket price homes in Mumbai and other top cities could be the government’s recent move in the Union Budget 2023-24 to cap capital gains at INR 10 Cr. This new move will come into effect from April 2023. Thus, to save tax on capital gains, the HNIs across top cities including Mumbai are rushing in close luxury housing deals before the financial year ends in March.

Under this new move, if one sells a house/other assets including equities and his/her gains are more than INR 10 crore, then maximum benefit that can be availed is only up to INR 10 crore when invested into another property. Capital gains of over INR 10 Cr will henceforth be taxed from April 2023.

Previously, to save on tax from their capital gains, HNIs/ultra-HNIs would mostly re-invest into an ultra-luxury property. Thus, the new move could be a deterrent for luxury housing sales to an extent once the new provision comes into effect. However, to say that it will have a major impact on this segment will remain to be seen.

Luxury Sales Share Up at 18% across Top 7 Cities

The luxury housing segment has performed remarkably well post the pandemic, with overall sales rising steeply across the top 7 cities. Year 2022 has been even better. As per ANAROCK Research, out of the total 3.65 lakh units sold across the top 7 cities in 2022, about 18% (approx. 65,680 units) were in the luxury category priced >INR 1.5 Cr.

Contrastingly, of the total 2.61 lakh units sold in entire 2019, just 7% (approx. 17,740 units) were in the luxury category.

MMR, NCR and Hyderabad have led luxury homes sales in 2022 with approx. 50,100 units sold in these three cities altogether. Back in 2019, together they saw sales of mere 14,050 luxury homes in the entire year.

• Data further reveals that in terms of overall sales share, MMR’s luxury housing sales share increased from 13% (of 80,870 units) in 2019 to nearly 30% (of approx. 1.10 lakh units) in 2022.
• In NCR, the sales share rose to 15% (of approx. 63,710 units) in 2022, from 4% (of total 46,920 units sold) in 2019.
• In Hyderabad, it increased to 16% (of total 47,490 units sold) in 2022 from 10% of 16,590 units sold in 2019.

Source: ANAROCK Research

Sennheiser Announces TeamConnect Ceiling Medium for Mid-Sized Spaces

National, 01st March 2023: Sennheiser, the first choice for advanced audio technology that makes collaboration and learning easier, is pleased to announce a new ceiling microphone for mid-sized meeting rooms and lecture or collaboration spaces.

TCC M delivers all the innovation and features of the award-winning TeamConnect Ceiling 2 (TCC 2) to a new segment of the meeting space market. With a coverage area of up to 40 m², customers can now bring the power of TCC 2 to their mid-sized meeting space, with a sleek design and at an attractive price point.

“With the worldwide success of our TCC 2 for large meeting spaces, we wanted to provide that same experience to mid-size conference rooms and educational spaces,” said Anshuman Dubey, National Product Manager, Sennheiser Electronics India Pvt Ltd. “Now with TCC M, a whole new meeting category can realize TeamConnect Ceiling Solutions benefits like Trusted Sennheiser Audio Quality, efficient setup, brand agnostic integration, and simple management and control. Also, when considering a new design, it was important to us to make a sustainable impact with a smaller housing.”

Unlike the TCC 2, TCC M is round, but does offer the same ceiling installation choices – surface mounted, suspended, or flush mounted. These options allow for cable-free tables and flexible furniture arrangements.

Unlike the TCC 2, TCC M is round but does offer the same ceiling installation choices – surface-mounted, suspended, or flush-mounted TeamConnect Ceiling Solutions employ patented automatic dynamic beamforming technology and the TruVoicelift function. These offer perfect speech intelligibility while allowing the speaker great flexibility in movement and position. The high-quality built-in electret condenser capsules, which are made in Germany, have already proven themselves in numerous Sennheiser microphones. They ensure perfect speech intelligibility and offer outstanding audio quality by capturing the entire meeting room. These features enable the microphone to constantly determine the position of the person speaking, without manually needing to configure speaker zones ahead of time. If additional control is needed, priority and exclusion zones can be set in our industry-leading Sennheiser Control Cockpit. This means that no spoken word is lost between the people in the meeting room and the external meeting participants.

Choosing a TeamConnect Ceiling Solution also comes with the added comfort of knowing that you are partnering with a truly customer-centric solution. By owning the manufacturing, Sennheiser has managed to navigate the supply chain crisis significantly better than others and was able to provide customers with full transparency and on-time delivery dates. In addition, starting with all TeamConnect Ceiling Solutions manufactured in 2023, Sennheiser is extending the warranty period from two to five years with product registration.

The TeamConnect Ceiling Solutions are part of the industry-leading TeamConnect Family – Sennheiser’s agnostic collaboration portfolio with state-of-the-art technology that suits the size and setup of any conference room. Built on over 75 years of German engineering, it redefines expectations for unified communications and meeting and lecture solutions through problem-solving, user-friendly and sustainable products with a modern look and design as well as the Trusted Sennheiser Audio Quality. To help customers find the most suitable TeamConnect Family solution for their specific meeting room environment, Sennheiser has just announced the first iteration of a new, browser-based room planner tool.

Experience the art of audio with Noise’s latest TWS, Noise Buds X; launched with ANC and up to 35 hours playtime

Tuesday, 1st March, 2023: Dive into the art of audio with Noise’s latest TWS, Noise Buds X. The leading connected lifestyle tech brand’s recent addition to their TWS portfolio is curated to offer an authentic audio experience while staying light on the pocket. Noise today launched the new Noise Buds X, equipped with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) up to 25 db along with up to 35 hours playtime. Packaged in an uber cool design, the new Noise Buds X are seamlessly compatible with iOS and Android devices, making them functional in style. Priced at just INR 1,999, Noise Buds X will be available in Carbon Black and Snow White on Amazon and GoNoise.com starting today.

With the importance of sound quality increasing worldwide, it is vital to have a product that is able to provide the users with premium sound quality. Staying true to this, the new Noise Buds X feature the brand’s proprietary and industry-leading technology, InstachargeTM which provides 120 minute playtime in a 10 minute charge giving up to 35 hours of total playtime in a single charge, coupled with Quad Mic ENC  (Environmental Noise Cancellation) for an uninterrupted calling experience at callers’ end. Transparency mode on Noise Buds X makes your life seamless as you can use voice commands to turn on the mode when in public or turn it off when not, to cut down on the background disturbance. Furthemore, the 12mm drivers along with Bluetooth 5.3 make this latest addition ideal for an authentic audio experience. Noise Buds X come with HyperSync™ technology that lets the earbuds go into pairing mode as soon as you open the charging case. This technology is also equipped with a power saving feature that turns off the earbuds as soon as you place them inside the charging case and close the lid.

Commenting on the launch, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder, Noise, said, “With an unwavering focus on delivering superior audio quality and user experience packaged at an aspirational price, the Noise Buds X is truly revolutionary in the world of true wireless earbuds. A testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in providing top-quality audio products, we are confident the new addition will resonate  well with our new age customers looking for superior sound quality, comfort, and convenience.”

The Noise Buds X come with a USB Type-C charging connector and IPX5 sweat and water resistance feature making them safe to wear while working out or near water. The 12mm drivers provide a deep and rich in ear bass while also maintaining the highs and lows of the music.

Product  Specifications

Noise Buds X

The 20th Edition of Asian Paints ColourNext Launches Forecast Stories

‘Gothilicious’, ‘Edge of the Forest’, ‘Sleep Sense’ and ‘Shroom’

~Also launched Wallpaper of the Year – AION, Nilaya Naturals and Material Finishes by Royale Play~

New Delhi,  Asian Paints ColourNext, the most authoritative voice in the Indian subcontinent for trends and material forecasting completed 20 years this year. Renowned for their exemplary insights, ColourNext continues to share design directions for the year inspired by the cultural and social influences on colour and decor trends. ColourNext revealed the four forecast design directions for 2023 – ‘Gothilicious’, ‘Edge of the Forest’, ‘Sleep Sense’ and ‘Shroom’, the stories of which address sociocultural topics ranging from how we express ourselves, to a newfound urgency for wellness, and forming deeper connections with others and the world around us. The forecast also launched Wallpaper of the Year – AION, breakthrough natural and earth-safe paint – Nilaya Naturals, and imaginative palette of wall finishes called Material Finishes by Royale Play.

ColourNext’s forecast for 2023 is all about building a better future, embracing the past and present and creating with joy, hope and intention. The year is the silver lining everyone waited for, after the dark clouds of the past few years and the colour of the year ‘Silver Escapade’ encapsulates the optimism with which we are going forward. On the occasion of ColourNext’s 20th edition, Asian Paints has also launched the new logo for ColourNext.

Mr. Amit Syngle, Managing Director and CEO, of Asian Paints Ltd. commented, “As we celebrate 20 years of ColourNext with pride & zest, we look ahead to share with the world, the colour and material forecast for the year. The design directions for the year – Gothilicious, Edge of the Forest, Sleep Sense and Shroom highlight self-expression, wellness, fantasy and connecting with the world, addressing socio-cultural and consumer shifts which have emerged from getting out of a rather difficult and tough phase of the last two years. The Wallpaper of the Year- Aion speaks about time and eternity through art and design and Nilaya Naturals along with Material Finishes by Royale Play align perfectly with our forecasted themes for the year. We are excited to see the multitude of interpretations of our directions across landscape and medium. It is definitely going to be an interesting year where we see the application of our forecast and our colour and material intelligence behind them come to life.”

The dazzling and enchanting Wallpaper of the Year, AION (pronounced Ahee-ohn) has a mesmerizing visual palette with deft use of tones in different sections of the design. In the foreground, strong powerful and modern graphic lines, blaze with a white intensity. Receding totem silhouettes signal the way back into myth and mist, hanging chandelier-like against a soft wash of colour. ‘AION’ offers more than the eye can see and tells a tale of the universe’s greatest puzzle: Time.

Each of the forecast stories outline a narrative that connects with individuals differently.

Gothilicious is the trend of self-expression and being unapologetically bold and sensual. It can be seen as challenging the traditional ideas of dark and nebulous and exploring the intensity of pensive and powerful human emotion. There is a shift towards an understated gothic essence with colours like charcoal warm matt black, deepest dark skies, blackest black pigment, deep dark forest olive greens, dark reds, sheen & shimmer of mother of pearl and molten metal.

Edge of the Forest is a life-affirming and a restorative forecast story. When the pandemic hit we were clouded with loneliness, people found themselves turning to nature for answers, as per big data reports. This is because people know from instinct that nature allows them to connect to a world larger than themselves. Inspired by unfiltered forests, woods and its many enchanting creatures, this forecast story includes deep forest greens, mud, moss browns and mystical fluorescence inspired by wildflowers, rare bees, bugs and worms, along with the magical sheen and shimmer of gleaming lake waters. This trend signifies reconnecting with nature and its joy and vitality and a new kind of ‘inland living’ at the edge of the forest.

Sleep Sense refers to a new frontier in wellness – a sleep revolution i.e. prioritizing good quality sleep and rest of mind as the movement towards health, wellness and slow living gains ground. There is a renewed focus on breathable, handcrafted fabrics and locally sourced natural materials. The overall colour palette is a collection of broken whites that give a feeling of stillness and lightness. Comforting, nourishing, soft adaptive, familiar, and tranquility are the colour and material qualities of this forecast story.

Shroom is a story of revival and rebirth. It involves taking all that is dead and turning it back to life, in many ways mirroring the year itself, as people come out of the biggest health scare this generation has witnessed. It seems simple from the outside but has complex layers of ecological memory. A palette of profound tones combined with luminous and saturated hues with mesmeric quality make up this forecast story.

Earlier this year, Colour of the Year – Silver Escapade was unveiled as a representative colour of the times we live in. Wellness and hope for the future have emerged as the two most important design trends this year which inspire silver, a ubiquitous colour of hope, festivities and glamour. Silver has been the colour of auspicious new beginnings in India for centuries. Given the hybrid lifestyles we live, the colour is timeless and expansive transcending physical and digital realms, the past, present and the future.

Having been in existence for 20 years, Asian Paints ColourNext has evolved as the subcontinent’s most-awaited and one-of-its-kind, intelligence in colour and material. The entire forecast takes into account the impact of the socio-political-economic climate backed by the science of research tools and colour psychology. It is put together based on comprehensive research involving the country’s prominent tastemakers from the fields of architecture, art, interiors, fashion, sociology, media and FMCG. Over 20 years, ColourNext has grown its influence and manifestation having immensely contributed to and shaped the world of colour and design.

Along with ColourNext, Asian Paints has revealed its new breakthrough product, Nilaya Naturals, a uniquely luxurious earth-safe, lime-based paint. Nilaya Naturals is made with 90% earth-positive ingredients making it robust and breathable, with a clean, fresh smell. Its tonally perfect palette with a vintage, flawlessly matte finish, has a beauty that only grows deeper with time. For projects which require an artistic colour, this will prove to be a perfect choice.

Material Finishes by Royale Play which are designer plaster solutions will showcase textures, styles and decor effects inspired by the colour of the year and forecast stories. This dynamic product offers a variety of options to fit evolving consumer tastes, such as The Archi Argilla, an imitation of nature with natural clay and lime composition; fit for houses with a trendy-chic rustic style, or W2F Decorative for differentiated luxury spaces. Some other options include Opaco Matt’s complete matt styling, and Marmorino’s marble like effect among others.

TPREL and ISS India join hands to promote Clean and Sustainable Energy Solutions in Facility Management Space

Bangalore, 1st March 2023: Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited (TPREL), a subsidiary of Tata Power and one of the most significant renewable energy players in the country, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ISS Global, a leading workplace experience and facility management company, committing to a common goal of promoting clean and sustainable energy solutions. This collaboration aims to power all the campuses of ISS India with green energy and implement TPREL’s green solutions and products to make a sustainable lifestyle accessible to all.

The MoU was signed by Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, of Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited and Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S, and Aksh Rohatgi, CEO & Country Manager of ISS India. The agreement was presented at a joint business conference, which took place in New Delhi as part of the Danish Royal visit to India.

This strategic collaboration aims at encouraging a cleaner and greener future for India with Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited supplying reliable and cost-effective power through open access and rooftop solutions. It will cover a wide range of facilities, including commercial and industrial properties, data centers, and various real estate asset classes, and support ISS India in converting all its clients’ portfolios to green energy within a stipulated time period.

Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, said, “Mr. Ashish Khanna, CEO, Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, said, “We, at Tata Power Renewables, are unwavering in our commitment to offering clean energy products and solutions to promote a sustainable lifestyle. Through this partnership with ISS India, we look forward to accomplishing our mutual goal of a sustainable future in the expanding facilities management industry. This will also support Tata Power’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2045.”

Additionally, the collaboration will also promote sustainable lifestyles through IoT-based home automation products, allowing the control and operation of electrical devices from anywhere through a mobile app or voice control. The partnership will also provide innovative solar rooftop solutions to maximize savings on energy bills and enable seamless electric mobility through the installation and annual maintenance of EV charging points, accessible through a mobile app.

As part of its ESG roadmap, Tata Power is working towards becoming carbon net zero by 2045. The company also aspires to achieve a clean energy portfolio of 80% by 2030 and 100% before 2045 and is committed to becoming 100% water neutral and zero waste to landfill before 2030.

Talking about the partnership, Jacob Aarup-Andersen, Group CEO of ISS A/S said, “At ISS, we recognize the full scope of the ongoing climate and environmental crisis. And we are strongly committed to carrying out our operations and delivering our services in a sustainable way. As one of ISS Group’s key markets and an important player in the APAC region, India holds significant potential for addressing the challenge of climate change and advancing sustainable solutions. We are confident that our collaboration with Tata Power will have a meaningful impact and help India achieve its sustainability goals. At the same time, it will contribute significantly to ISS’s commitment of reaching full-scope net zero emissions by 2040, including our full supply chain.”

Aksh Rohatgi, CEO and Country Manager of ISS India, said, “At ISS India, we are unwavering in our commitment to addressing climate change and driving sustainability. As we work towards a net-zero future, it is essential that we partner with organizations that share our vision and bring complementary strengths to the table. Our collaboration with Tata Power Renewable is a critical part of our sustainability strategy, allowing us to guide our clients toward a more sustainable future and provide them with access to smart, eco-friendly solutions. With Tata Power Renewable’s expertise in the energy sector and ISS’s experience in providing smart solutions and services in the facility management sector, we are confident that this partnership will not only leverage our collective expertise, resources, and networks to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future but also it embodies our mission of connecting people and places to make the world a better place.”

A crucial part of ISS’s sustainability strategy towards net zero greenhouse gas emissions within scopes 1 and 2 by 2030 and full-scope net zero emissions by 2040. ISS’s association with Tata Power Renewable demonstrates its dedication to being recognised among the best environmental leaders and a catalyst for real change in its industry.

ISS Facility Services India is a subsidiary of the global facility management services and workplace experiences leader ISS A/S (ISS Group).

Aditya Birla Capital Limited collaborates with NPCI to develop and promote digital payments

Bangalore, March 1, 2023 : Aditya Birla Capital Ltd (ABCL), the holding company for the financial services businesses of the Aditya Birla Group (“Aditya Birla Capital”) announced its collaboration with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to develop and promote digital payment methods through subsidiaries to its customers.

This collaboration marks entry of Aditya Birla Capital into payments space through its operating subsidiaries and envisages faster adoption of the new technologies in collaboration with NPCI and its subsidiaries with an objective to promote digital payments.

Mr. Pankaj Gadgil, Head Digital Platforms and Analytics, Aditya Birla Capital “We are delighted to partner with NPCI to offer a complete set of digital payment options to our customers. It is our intention to offer a comprehensive suite of financial solutions to our customers and the digital payment solutions is a significant addition to the financial services portfolio offerings. This gets us closer to becoming a one stop shop for all finance needs of our customers. We will create distinctive propositions for existing customers of Aditya Birla Capital and also focus on acquiring new customers from market. Given the group’s focus on building presence across products, we foresee a huge potential to target the requirements of untapped customers. Our foray into digital Payments in partnership with NPCI will give us the competitive edge to offer a frictionless digital payment experience to our customers”

Ms. Praveena Rai, Chief Operating Officer at NPCI, said, “NPCI has always looked to expand the digital payments universe and bring more and more netizens/ citizens into it. For us, it has always been about seamless, simple digital payments experience to all of India and beyond. As Aditya Birla Capital embarks on their journey into payments, the partnership enables both of us to leverage each other’s strengths and expertise to create value and enhance the overall customer experience. This shall bring all of the offerings of Aditya Birla Capital and its subsidiaries together, driving access to financial services and financial inclusion.”