United Nations Alliance of Civilisations and BMW Group has honoured India’s grassroots Initiative ‘Football and Beyond’ during the 10th UNAOC Global Forum. ‘Football and Beyond’ is the initiative of India-based organisation ‘Shreeja India’, which is one of the ten grassroots initiatives that were honoured recently under the Intercultural Innovation Hub (IIH), a joint initiative of the United Nations of Civilizations (UNAOC) and the BMW Group. The joint initiative was implemented with the support of Accenture.

The ‘Football and Beyond’ initiative was honoured at a ceremony held in Cascais, Portugal, under the theme ‘United in Peace: Restoring Trust, Reshaping the Future – Reflecting on Two Decades of Dialogue for Humanity’.
The Forum convened prominent figures, political leaders, UN officials including the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, as well as representatives from civil society, academia, and the private sector, to share insights and reflect on the 20 years of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations’ impactful work.

The ’Football and Beyond’ initiative leverages the unifying power of football to bridge divides across diverse backgrounds while promoting inclusivity and empowerment. By using football as a development tool, the initiative integrates sports with education, mental wellness, social awareness, and skills development. This holistic approach empowers girls and uplifts communities that lack access to essential services such as basic education, nutrition, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, paving the way for sustainable growth and social cohesion.

"Shreeja India’s inclusive tactic to empower underprivileged girls and children with a sports-based endeavour is producing powerful narratives in the grassroots of rural India. With the recognition of the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we feel more driven to connect, collaborate and contribute towards breaking barriers and building cohesive societies," said Somasree Basu, Program Manager at Shreeja India.

“With the Intercultural Innovation Hub, we celebrate outstanding initiatives implemented by extraordinary individuals working to bridge intercultural divisions in innovative and impactful ways,” said Ilka Horstmeier, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG People and Real Estate, Labour Relations Director. “At the BMW Group, we believe that diversity not only enhances our company but is crucial for social unity and global progress. That is why we are deeply thankful for our strong partnership with the UNAOC. This collaboration allows us to support remarkable initiatives like Shreeja India’s work in empowering underprivileged children, making a tangible difference in their communities and contributing to a better and more inclusive Indian society,” she added.

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Zeon Corporation has announced a major expansion of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) production at its Tokuyama Plant in Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. The company plans to increase manufacturing capacity more than tenfold, responding to surging demand, especially from the lithium-ion battery sector. Construction of the new facility is set to begin in the autumn of 2026, with full operations expected to commence in 2028. The project has received certification from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry under its storage battery supply assurance plan.

Originally developed in Japan, carbon nanotubes are recognised for being lightweight and highly conductive, enabling diverse industrial uses. Demand for single-walled carbon nanotubes is rising rapidly because they significantly improve battery energy density and cycle life. Key application areas include electric vehicles, drones, eVTOL aircraft, AI server backup power units, renewable energy storage systems and automation and robotics.

Zeon became the first company globally to successfully mass-produce single-walled carbon nanotubes in 2015, utilising its proprietary Super-Growth Method. The company markets these high-purity nanotubes under the ZEONANO brand, which are known for their large specific surface area and high aspect ratio. To meet strong market demand, Zeon is building a new production line at its existing Tokuyama site, incorporating an advanced version of its original manufacturing process to boost efficiency and product quality.

Under its medium-term business plan, STAGE30, Zeon has identified single-walled carbon nanotubes as a key growth driver for the next phase, aiming to outpace the target market’s compound annual growth rate. The firm has actively expanded its footprint, including an October 2025 investment in Taiwan’s Sino Applied Technology, a startup developing conductive paste. This latest capacity expansion is expected to lay the groundwork for accelerating the development of new applications for the material.

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The global automotive Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) market is projected to grow from USD 1.23 billion in 2025 to USD 6.54 billion by 2031, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32.09 percent says a report by Mordor Intelligence. The market value for 2026 is estimated at USD 1.63 billion.

This rapid expansion is attributed to the increasing adoption of Level 3+ autonomous driving systems, a reduction in sensor costs and more stringent global safety standards.

The report states that the shift from luxury-only integration to broader vehicle segments is being facilitated by several technological and economic factors:

• FMCW Technology: Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR enables a detection range of up to 400 metres.
• Performance Reliability: FMCW sensors capture both distance and motion, reducing signal interference in traffic and maintaining accuracy under strong sunlight.
• Cost Reduction: The price of solid-state LiDAR has fallen sharply due to silicon-based designs and automated manufacturing, making sensors accessible for mid-range and affordable vehicle segments.
• Economies of Scale: Increased production volumes are further driving down costs over time.

Adoption patterns vary significantly across global regions, influenced by local supply chains and regulatory environments. It finds that the Asia-Pacific region leads the market, with China at the centre of large-scale adoption. The growth is supported by government incentives for electric vehicles and strong local supply chains that accelerate production.

The North American market sees demand driven by autonomous trucking routes and hands-free driving features. Local manufacturing helps reduce import dependence, while Canada provides a testing ground for extreme weather conditions.

For the European region, while premium automakers lead in advanced integration, stricter regulations currently slow mass-market adoption across the continent.

Interestingly, it notes steady traction in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, primarily driven by mining automation, smart city initiatives and fleet upgrades.

Phani Kumar, Senior Research Manager at Mordor Intelligence, said, "The automotive LiDAR market reflects steadily evolving adoption patterns shaped by regulatory direction and autonomous driving progress. Mordor Intelligence's structured validation approach and consistent triangulation of industry inputs provide a more dependable basis for strategic decisions than fragmented or assumption-led analyses."

Representational image credit: Pexels/Stephen Leonardi

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German chemicals major LANXESS has commissioned a new blending facility at its Jhagadia site to manufacture specialty lubricant additives for domestic and international markets.

The inauguration of the plant in Gujarat marks the first phase of development at the site. The facility is designed to serve India, currently the third-largest lubricants market globally, alongside the Middle East and other international regions. This expansion follows the establishment of the company’s Application Technology Centre in 2025 and aligns with its ‘local-for-local’ supply strategy.

In tandem with the plant opening, LANXESS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to introduce its lubricant technologies to the local market. The company also confirmed the commencement of third-party manufacturing activities for its Lubricant Additives business unit within India.

Dr Hubert Fink, Member of the Board of Management, LANXESS, said, “India stands at the forefront of global economic growth, offering significant opportunities across industries. LANXESS is committed to deepening our presence and investing in India’s future, aligning our long-term strategy with the nation’s dynamic potential. Through prudent investments and a focus on sustainable growth, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving industrial landscape.”

Neelanjan Banerjee, Senior Vice-President and Global Head of the Business Unit Lubricant Additives, added, “India is the third largest lubricants market in the world and a key growth region for us. To participate in this key market, we set up our Application Technology Center in 2025. The commissioning of this new production site in India is a next milestone for us and a strong testament to the ‘Make in India’ initiative. With this plant we are reinforcing our strong commitment to our customers in the region.”

The new facility incorporates energy-efficient systems and safety protocols intended to support the increasing demand for industrial and mobility applications. By localising production, LANXESS aims to reduce lead times and enhance technical collaboration with regional customers.

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Hyundai Motor Group, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) have entered a trilateral strategic partnership to develop a high-skilled technical workforce in Vietnam.

Signed in late April 2026, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a training ecosystem designed to support Vietnam’s rapidly industrialising automotive sector.

The program, scheduled to run from the second half of 2026 through 2031, aims to create a ‘virtuous cycle’ by bridging the gap between vocational education and active industrial careers.

The partnership leverages the unique strengths of each signatory to ensure graduates are production-ready from day one:

• Curriculum & Expertise: Hyundai Motor Group will lead the design of the curriculum, focusing on hands-on manufacturing disciplines including die-casting, press forming and welding.
• Governance & Operations: KOICA will oversee the broader program management and technical training modules.
• Administrative Support: MOET will coordinate the program through its network of vocational training institutions across Vietnam.

Upon completion, graduates will be directly connected with employment opportunities at small and medium-sized component manufacturers operating within Vietnam, addressing a critical labour shortage in the regional supply chain.

Vietnam is a cornerstone of Hyundai Motor Group’s ASEAN strategy. The Group operates the Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam Auto Manufacturing Corporation (HTMV) joint venture, which recently expanded with a second plant in Ninh Binh.

Sung Kim, President of Hyundai Motor Group, said, "Vietnam's automotive market is growing fast, and the demand for skilled professionals is growing with it. We aim to give Vietnamese students real educational opportunities and build a virtuous cycle from classroom to career."

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