India’s manufacturing sector is experiencing a momentous surge, currently employing 20% of the nation’s population. In line with the Indian government’s vision of achieving 25% of the economy’s output from manufacturing by 2025, Sandvik Coromant, the global leader in metal cutting technology, has been playing a pivotal role in supporting the industry’s growth. After a recent visit to India, Michael Eneberg, VP Global Sales and Marketing at Sandvik Coromant, reflects on how the company’s cutting-edge solutions are bolstering India’s manufacturing prowess.
Traditionally, the global aerospace market has been dominated by the United States and China. However, India is now making significant strides in this sector. As travel recovers from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, transport across Asia is witnessing a surge, prompting India to invest more substantially in the aerospace industry. In a groundbreaking move, Air India recently placed an order for 470 planes from Airbus and Boeing, marking one of the largest orders of new passenger aircraft in Indian airline history.
Amid this burgeoning growth, Sandvik Coromant has emerged as a reliable partner, supplying aerospace manufacturers with complete component solutions for critical parts of airplanes, ranging from the engine to the frame. Additionally, as airplanes are not entirely produced within India, manufacturers heavily rely on the global supply chain, with companies like Sandvik Coromant playing a crucial role in maintaining an efficient supply chain.
India is the world’s third-largest energy-consuming country. In its commitment to combat climate change, the country set a target at the global climate summit, COP26, to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. In recent years, India’s installed non-fossil fuel capacity has surged by 396%, with 2022 witnessing the highest year-on-year growth in renewable energy additions, as reported by Invest India.
Sandvik Coromant has been at the forefront of supporting the sustainable energy industry since its inception, offering advanced solutions for the machining of components that must withstand high temperatures for efficient fuel burn and reduced emissions. Despite the challenges posed by materials like HRSAs, stainless steel, and titanium due to their strength-to-weight ratio, toughness, and heat-resistant properties, Sandvik Coromant continues to support numerous energy customers in India with cutting-edge tooling solutions.
In a significant move to boost the automotive sector, the Indian government approved a new Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme in 2021. With an incentive scheme of nearly Rs. 26,000 crore, the country aims to bolster the manufacturing of electric and fuel cell vehicles and drones over the next five years.
As the automotive industry moves towards electrification and lighter vehicles with reduced emissions, Sandvik Coromant offers a wide selection of tools optimized for aluminum machining. This trend is further strengthened by Sandvik Coromant’s investments in its Pune facility, which is now the fastest-growing production hub of its kind, housing three production units for cemented carbide indexable tools, solid round tools, and tool holders.
In addition to providing cutting-edge tooling solutions, Sandvik Coromant goes the extra mile to support its customers in India. The company offers a tool reconditioning service, reducing lead times and transport for manufacturers. Worn tools can be sent to specialized centers in Europe, Asia, the Americas, or the local reconditioning center in Pune, India, where the tools are restored to their original specifications, offering sustainable benefits by minimizing environmental impact.
India’s manufacturing sector is swiftly catching up to major global players like China and the US, with industries like aerospace making historic investments. Sandvik Coromant takes pride in being an integral part of the supply chain that supports India’s burgeoning manufacturing sector through optimized tooling solutions, enhancing the operations of its manufacturers and delivering exceptional end products.