British design and engineering studio Callum has selected Aqua Mist as its Colour of the Year 2025. The colour a fresh pastel blend of green and blue, it says is not only vibrant and optimistic but also promotes relaxation and tranquillity.

The company says Aqua Mist represents renewal and innovation in a fast-changing world. The refreshing, soothing hue combines the calm of blue with the rejuvenation of green, perfect for creating peaceful, balanced spaces.

It is for the first time Callum has introduced the Colour of the Year 2025, which it says will become an annual forecast of colour trends from its growing team of colour, material and finishes experts.

Charlotte Jones, colour, material and finishes designer at Callum, said, “Aqua Mist offers a fresh, calming energy. Its soft and cool undertones are associated with tranquillity and openness, providing a balanced base that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. Its versatility means it is suited to a number of applications, materials and surface textures, while layering with Callum’s specially-selected balancing colours creates a fun, energetic vibe.

Recent projects and collaborations have given us valuable insights into the needs, preferences and experiences of a variety of customers, particularly those who rely on well-considered inclusive design to enhance accessibility and comfort. We want the Callum Colour of the Year to spark conversations about how colour resonates with the emotional needs of customers and can help shape spaces and products that elicit deeper emotional responses.”

Ian Callum, Design Director, Callum, said, “Every design team in the world looks at future aesthetics to stay relevant and appeal to ever-evolving consumer tastes. Plus, it’s creative and a lot of fun. The Callum Colour of the Year 2025 is the first time we’ve made any of our forecasting work public.”

The company has identified a concise complementary palette, which sees Aqua Mist being balanced with Neon Riot and Midnight Tide, to create a playful, dynamic trio that offers an energetic yet approachable look, ideal for designs that need both vibrancy and sophistication - perfect for playful brands.

Callum stated that Neon Riot is an attention-grabbing hot pink, which brings energy, fun and vibrancy to the palette by adding a pop of brightness. Midnight Tide on the other hand is a rich, deep blue, that grounds the other two colours with its darker, more intense shade, making the overall palette feel balanced and mature.

The combination of Aqua Mist, Neon Riot and Midnight Tide in automotive projects it believes can create a bold, futuristic and attention-grabbing aesthetic, especially for brands or models aimed at trend-conscious audiences

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American manufacturer of petroleum and speciality chemical additives Afton Chemical Corporation recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a driveline and industrial additive manufacturing facility in Maharashtra, India.

The plant will be operated by Afton's partner, LSR Speciality Oils and is scheduled to begin commercial production in the first half of 2028.

The facility expands Afton Chemical's production footprint in India, building upon existing manufacturing operations for engine oil and off-road additives, while complementing capacity investments at the company's Singapore site. Once operational, the Maharashtra plant will supply additives to markets across ASEAN, Australia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Latin America and the Middle East.

Brian Paliotti, President, Afton Chemical, said, "Afton Chemical has been a trusted global supplier in the lubricant and fuel additives industry for more than 100 years. Providing our customers with a secure, reliable supply of high-quality products remains one of our highest priorities. This new facility will strengthen our manufacturing network, enhance supply chain resilience, and improve service for customers around the world."

Chris Dudding, Vice-President of Supply, Afton Chemical, said, "As our industry continues to evolve, Afton remains committed to investing in the assets, capabilities, and partnerships needed to remain a trusted long-term supplier of performance additives. This investment reflects our confidence in the future of the industry and our commitment to helping customers succeed for decades to come."

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Honda Motor Co., has announced a USD 3 billion investment to build an automobile manufacturing plant in Central Ohio, increasing its US automobile production capacity to approximately 1.3 million vehicles per year and creating more than 2,000 jobs. Production at the new facility, located between the existing East Liberty and Marysville plants, is expected to begin in 2029 pending regulatory approvals.

The new facility will feature a planned annual production capacity of 240,000 units, capable of assembling hybrid, petrol and battery-electric vehicles. The project forms part of a series of manufacturing investments across operations in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia designed to expand production of hybrid-electric vehicles and powertrains, expanding Honda's total North American vehicle assembly capacity to 1.9 million units annually.

The expansion supports the Japanese automotive major’s global plan to introduce 15 hybrid models by 2030. Additional network initiatives include retooling the Alabama Auto Plant to produce a V6 hybrid engine, retooling the Anna Engine Plant in Ohio for a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine and expanding hybrid system assembly at transmission facilities in Ohio and Georgia to increase Ohio hybrid system output by 250 percent. Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario, will also undergo retooling for hybrid model and engine assembly.

Bob Nelson, Executive Vice-President of American Honda Motor Co., said, "As Honda approaches 50 years of building products close to our customers in America, we are making one of the most significant commitments in our history to position Honda for the next 50 years. These investments strengthen America’s role as a cornerstone of Honda’s global future and reflect our confidence in our more than 30,000 Honda associates and the strength of American manufacturing. By expanding our comprehensive R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we will be better positioned to serve our customers and contribute to the economic vitality of the communities where we operate."

Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, said, "Honda's leadership could have chosen to build this plant anywhere in the world, but they chose Ohio because there are so many advantages to being here. For almost half a century, Honda and Ohio have grown together, and generations of families have built their careers on Honda's manufacturing lines. Today's announcement isn't just an investment in a new facility - it's an investment in Ohio's people and Ohio's future."

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Hindustan Zinc Limited has signed 11 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) at the ZnAL Confluence 2026 in Jaipur to advance the development of its proposed Zinc Industrial Park at Khankhala in Bhilwara district, Rajasthan.

The MoUs were executed with industrial partners including Gainwell Commosales, Epiroc Mining India, Sai Deepa Rock Drills, Shree Nakoda Infrasteel, Suryakiran Earthmovers, J.G. Chemicals, EPCM Service & Supply, Jasta Alloys, Jammu Pigments and Ampex Energies.

The participating entities intend to set up manufacturing, engineering and service operations connected to zinc and allied value chains. The proposed park, developed in collaboration with the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO), provides developed industrial land, access to a share of Hindustan Zinc's metal output, and research capabilities from the company's Centre of Excellence.

The park infrastructure supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with investment entry levels starting from INR 50 million, covering sectors such as galvanising, die-casting, zinc alloys, zinc oxide and wire manufacturing.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "Zinc Park is a strategic initiative that reflects our long-term vision of building a globally competitive downstream ecosystem for zinc-based industries in India. The growing confidence of industry partners, across manufacturing, engineering and services, shows the strength of the proposition. Through assured ecosystem support, renewable energy integration and strong collaborations, we aim to enable MSME growth, create local employment and strengthen domestic manufacturing."

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German robotics supplier Dürr has delivered its 20,000th painting robot, an EcoRP4 generation model, to Ford's manufacturing facility in Valencia, Spain. The milestone unit operates in a primer station on the exterior application line for the Ford Kuga following its installation in August 2026.

The EcoRP4 L033L/R robot functions alongside the EcoBell4 rotary atomiser to apply primer to vehicle bodies. The platform features a simplified mechanical design with fewer components to lower lifecycle costs and streamline maintenance compared to previous generations, while supporting floor-mounted, tower and linear-rail configurations.

At the Ford plant, the system operates with the EcoMCC3 A/B colour changer, the EcoBell4 Pro 2x1K atomiser, and high-transfer-efficiency application process technology to reduce material consumption, overspray and volatile organic compound emissions.

Marcus Treppschuh, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Dürr, said, "The 20,000th painting robot from Dürr represents decades of experience in automated painting. The fact that this milestone has been reached with one of the first models from our new EcoRP4 generation underlines our commitment to consistently combining innovation and proven technology."

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