Andhra Pradesh Rs 2.6 Billion (bn) Ethanol Plant Launched At Kovur SEZ

06 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Gayatri Renewable Energy ethanol plant project began with the laying of a foundation stone at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone near Regadichilaka village in Kodavalur mandal in Nellore.

The unit is being developed with an investment of Rs 2.6 billion (bn) and is presented as a long-awaited development for farmers who had given land nearly 30 years ago for the SEZ.

Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy laid the foundation stone in a ceremony attended by Kovur MLA Vemireddy Prasanthi Reddy, Rajya Sabha MP Beeda Masthan Rao and MLC Beeda Ravichandra, who jointly unveiled a commemorative plaque at the site. Officials present indicated that the project had been pursued through sustained engagement with IFFCO leadership in New Delhi and local representatives framed the development as the realisation of a three-decade-old promise to bring industries and jobs to the constituency.

The plant is expected to provide direct employment to around 200 people and to create indirect opportunities for between 500 and 700 individuals. Annual feedstock requirements were given as 0.15 million tonnes (mn t) and are expected to support farmers in the surrounding region. Project promoters indicated that local procurement would be prioritised where feasible to link agriculture with industry.

Local political leaders acknowledged the roles of the State leadership in facilitating the investment and said ministerial support had been instrumental in bringing the unit to the SEZ. Calls were made for the establishment of a Skill Development Centre under the VPR Foundation to prepare local youth for jobs in upcoming industries and to ensure that benefits reach those who had ceded land for the zone. Officials also positioned the plant as part of a broader strategy to increase ethanol blending and to add value to agricultural output, with ethanol to be blended up to 20 per cent with crude oil.

Real Estate

05 Aug 2026

CREDAI-MCHI to Host 10th Design & Construction Conference

CREDAI-MCHI will host the 10th anniversary edition of its Design & Construction Conference on August 19, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.The event is expected to bring together more than 500 procurement leaders, construction heads, architects, consultants and senior real estate decision-makers, alongside over 50 construction and ancillary brands.The conference will feature product launches, technology showcases, knowledge sessions, strategic business-to-business networking and recognition of procurement professionals contributing to the transformation of the construction..

BorgWarner Wins Extension for High-Voltage Inverter Programmes

BorgWarner has secured a major extension of several high-volume high-voltage inverter programmes from a leading European automotive manufacturer.The contracts cover updated inverter designs for plug-in hybrid and 800V battery-electric vehicle applications. Production is scheduled to begin in 2029.Isabelle McKenzie, President and General Manager, BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems, said the programme extensions demonstrate the company’s position in power electronics and reflect the strength of its technology, in-house expertise and customer relationships.For plug-in hybrid vehicles, BorgWarner wil..

Castrol India Q2 Profit Rises 43% to Rs 3.48 bn

Castrol India reported a 43 per cent year-on-year increase in profit after tax to Rs 3.48 billion for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, supported by growth across its consumer, industrial and institutional businesses.Revenue from operations increased 25 per cent to Rs 18.71 billion during the second quarter of 2026, compared with Rs 14.97 billion in the corresponding period of 2025. EBITDA rose 41 per cent to Rs 4.94 billion from Rs 3.50 billion.Sequentially, revenue increased from Rs 15.45 billion in the first quarter of 2026, while EBITDA rose from Rs 3.29 billion. Profit after tax increased ..