Sweet Success: India’s Sugar Production Hits 26.21 Million Tonne in 2025-26, Surpassing Last Year’s Output

India’s sugar industry is on a sweet high this year. According to the Indian Sugar and Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA), sugar production in the ongoing 2025-26 marketing year (October–September) has already reached 26.21 million tonne, a 10.5% increase compared with the same period last year. Remarkably, this already exceeds the total net production of 26.12 million tonne recorded during the entire 2024-25 marketing year.

Sweet Success: India’s Sugar Production Hits 26.21 Million Tonne in 2025-26, Surpassing Last Year’s Output

Pic Credit: Pexel

This growth underscores the resilience of India’s sugar mills and the increasing efficiency of sugarcane farming across the country. Analysts point to favorable weather conditions, improved crop yields, and strategic operations by mills as key drivers of this impressive output.

Sugar Mills in Motion

As of March 15, 157 sugar mills were actively crushing sugarcane, while 379 mills remained closed, following seasonal patterns and regional availability of raw materials. This selective operation allows mills to manage production efficiently and balance supply with market demand.

Last year, production during this same period was 23.72 million tonne, highlighting a strong year-on-year growth of over 2.5 million tonne. “This is a testament to better agronomy practices, mechanization in cane harvesting, and timely processing at the mills,” said an industry insider.

Approaching the Season’s Finale

The sugar crushing season is now entering its penultimate phase, with mills striving to maximize output before the harvest concludes. With production already surpassing last year’s full-year figure, the industry faces a strategic challenge: maintaining profitability in the face of rising input costs and price pressures.

One key demand from the sector is the early upward revision of the Minimum Selling Price (MSP). An MSP adjustment would not only secure fair returns for mills but also protect the interests of millions of sugarcane farmers who rely on timely payments for their livelihoods.

Regional Powerhouses

India’s sugar production continues to be dominated by traditional cane-growing states. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu remain the pillars of output, with Uttar Pradesh leading the way. Maharashtra, which struggled last year due to drought conditions, has bounced back, contributing to the national surge in production.

If current trends hold, experts project India’s sugar production could reach 34–35 million tonne by the end of the 2025-26 season, marking one of the largest harvests in recent years.

Market Dynamics and Global Context

The robust output comes at a time when domestic sugar demand remains steady, and export opportunities are emerging. India, already one of the world’s largest sugar producers, is exploring global markets to balance domestic surplus and stabilize prices.

Government policies, particularly regarding MSP, export subsidies, and ethanol blending mandates, will play a crucial role in sustaining the sector’s growth. A well-calibrated policy framework could make India’s sugar industry more competitive internationally, while ensuring the long-term viability of mills and farmer incomes.

Sweet Prospects Ahead

India’s sugar sector is not just about production—it’s about livelihoods, rural economy, and energy. With bio-energy generation increasingly integrated into sugar mills’ operations, the industry is contributing to sustainable growth beyond the sweetness of sugar itself.

As the season nears its conclusion, all eyes are on MSP decisions and market demand. For now, the numbers speak for themselves: India’s sugar production is surging, the mills are humming, and the nation is poised for a season of record-breaking sweetness.

ad:tech New Delhi 2026 Opens at “The Bold Front,” Exploring Marketing’s AI-Powered Future

New Delhi, Delhi, India Mar 18th: The 15th edition of ad:tech New Delhi opened today at Yashobhoomi, bringing together leaders from across marketing, media, advertising, and technology to examine how artificial intelligence, evolving data ecosystems, and changing consumer behaviour are reshaping the future of marketing.

Held under the theme “The Bold Front,” the conference set the stage for conversations around a rapidly transforming industry where human creativity and intelligent technology are converging to redefine how brands connect with audiences.

Reflecting on the broader momentum at “The Bold Front,” Jaswant Singh, Country Managing Director, ad:tech India, noted how the conference captures the strategic pivot taking place across marketing today: “Consumer expectations are changing faster than ever, and brands must respond with intelligence and agility. At ad:tech New Delhi 2026, we are discussing how AI, data, and programmatic media can help organisations understand audiences more deeply and deliver relevant experiences. Success is now defined not only by reach but by the trust and value a brand creates at every touchpoint. Companies are exploring how to combine creativity with insight to foster stronger engagement. Creativity and human judgement remain essential, but technology is amplifying their reach. This is how the industry can build both growth and resilience for the future.”

Over the past 15 years, ad:tech New Delhi has emerged as one of India’s most influential platforms for marketing innovation, enabling industry leaders to exchange ideas, explore new technologies, and navigate the evolving digital ecosystem.

At the 2026 edition, the expo hall was buzzing with energy. Over 70 companies, along with their experts and brand teams, demonstrated the latest innovation in AI, programmatic advertising, martech, data intelligence, and digital media solutions. Attendees also engaged in partner sessions by Google, Amazon, Magnite, and Click2Commission, gaining practical insights on platform strategies, publisher success, and emerging trends. Playful activations like Jenga, Tetris, and table tennis brought a fun, engaging dimension to the experience.

ith participation from global tech companies, agencies, publishers, and marketing leaders, the scale and diversity of the event highlight the rapid growth and dynamism of India’s marketing technology ecosystem.

Exploring “The Bold Front” of Marketing

Across three stages- VISION, LIVE, and DEEP DIVE- Day 1 explored how marketing leadership is evolving as the industry moves from experimentation with AI toward deeper integration across the marketing stack.

The opening keynote, delivered by Jamie Jouning, Global Head of Advertising, The Economist, highlighted the importance of smarter systems in an AI-driven environment:

“We’re operating in a world of constant uncertainty, where AI is accelerating, but adoption remains uneven. Success won’t come from moving fastest, but from designing the smartest systems and making sharper choices about what truly matters.”

Sessions throughout the day examined AI-powered programmatic advertising, media buying, connected TV, search, generative AI in marketing workflows, and the evolving role of creators and youth culture. Speakers highlighted how AI is not replacing creative thinking, but expanding possibilities for experimentation and innovation. Panels also addressed ethical AI, transparency, and building consumer trust in automated systems.

Practical Insights and Emerging Trends

Creativity in the age of intelligent technology was another central theme, with speakers highlighting how AI is not replacing creative thinking but expanding the possibilities for experimentation and innovation in storytelling. David Shing, aka Digital Prophet, emphasized this evolving dynamic:

“Design has continually evolved with technology. From the shift from paper-led creativity to desktop publishing, each disruption has redefined the role of the creator. Today, AI marks the next inflection point, where it almost feels as though technology can anticipate our intent. As we express ideas, systems are increasingly able to translate them into outputs in real time, blurring the line between imagination and execution.”

Discussions explored hybrid operating models where human expertise works alongside AI-driven systems, as well as the growth of connected TV and quick commerce. Speakers emphasized that effective marketing in 2026 requires balancing speed and scale with intelligence, simplification, and data-driven decision-making.

“Television is far from stagnant; it is evolving through a hybrid model that blends the strengths of linear with the precision of digital. This synergy between scale and performance is redefining how marketers approach media investments today,” said Prasad Sanagavarapu, Invidi, summarising insights from the day’s media sessions.

The afternoon sessions further examined AI-native operating models, content as a core currency, commerce acceleration, and the rise of intelligent search, showcasing how marketing leaders are translating technological transformation into business growth.

Consumer behaviour in the age of AI was highlighted by Paul D’Arcy, Moloco:

“Technology is moving faster than ever, and the 2026 AI Disruption Index makes one thing clear: if your value proposition is purely transactional, you are vulnerable. The only true defense against AI disintermediation is the strength of your customer relationship. When disruption is high, trust is the only currency that doesn’t devalue.”

The Conversation Continues

By the close of Day 1, a clear theme had emerged across discussions: artificial intelligence is no longer simply enhancing marketing tools. In fact, it is reshaping the entire operating system of the industry.

From programmatic infrastructure and AI-powered creativity to connected TV, quick commerce, and intelligent search, marketers at ad:tech New Delhi 2026 are exploring how to navigate this new frontier where human insight and machine intelligence work together.

The day concluded with the ad:tech Honours Awards, celebrating the organisations and innovators pushing the boundaries of marketing technology.

With one more day of discussions, showcases, and networking ahead, ad:tech New Delhi 2026 continues to bring the industry together to explore what lies beyond today’s digital frontier.

Lwart Environmental Solutions Expands Long-Standing Relationship with Rimini Street, Consolidating Support for VMware and SAP to Regain Control of Licensing and Roadmap Decisions

Business Wire India

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), the Software Support and Agentic AI ERP Company™, and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software, today announced Lwart Environmental Solutions, one of the world’s leading oil re-refineries and industrial sustainability organizations, has expanded its long-time partnership with Rimini Street.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317697393/en/

 

 

Lwart Environmental Solutions Expands Long-Standing Relationship with Rimini Street, Consolidating Support for VMware and SAP to Regain Control of Licensing and Roadmap Decisions

Lwart Environmental Solutions Expands Long-Standing Relationship with Rimini Street, Consolidating Support for VMware and SAP to Regain Control of Licensing and Roadmap Decisions

 

By switching to Rimini Street for SAP and VMware support, Lwart has taken direct control of its software licensing, upgrade and technology roadmap decisions, eliminating vendor-driven timelines and cost escalation. The move improves support responsiveness, lowers operating costs and allows Lwart’s IT organization to operate its core systems on its own terms – freeing capacity to focus on operational improvements and long-term innovation.

 

Nearly a Decade of Trusted Support Delivering Stability and Cost Control

 

 

Lwart operates one of the most sophisticated circular-economy oil recovery ecosystems globally, with the capacity to process 240 million liters of used oil annually across more than half of Brazil’s municipalities. Its SAP and VMware systems underpin nationwide logistics and operations for 1,100 users, including 540 mobile-connected truck drivers who rely on SAP systems to log oil collection and payment across 3,700 municipalities in Brazil.

 

 

Lwart first turned to Rimini Street when economic pressures in Brazil demanded a closer look at reducing IT costs without compromising system reliability. SAP systems are mission-critical to Lwart’s operations, where downtime would immediately disrupt oil collection nationwide. Following a comprehensive evaluation of expected service quality, value, expertise and reliability, Lwart made the decision to switch from vendor support to Rimini Support™ for SAP.

 

 

“We’ve had nothing but good experiences since we moved our support for SAP to Rimini Street,” said Jefferson Andriotti, head of IT and procurement, Lwart Environmental Solutions. “With my SAP ECC 6 stabilized, secured and performing optimally with Rimini Support™, I no longer have to worry about constantly upgrading or migrating to a new version of SAP as some of my peers do. Rimini Street makes it possible for me to focus my team’s attention on the needs of our customers, partners and the future of Lwart instead of unnecessary disruption.”

 

 

Lwart Eases VMware Licensing Pressures with Rimini Support™ for VMware

 

 

Lwart’s decision to expand its relationship with Rimini Street was accelerated by significant changes to VMware licensing following Broadcom’s acquisition – changes that would have nearly tripled costs.

 

 

“Either we would need to absorb a massive increase in licensing costs with Broadcom or pursue alternate paths,” Andriotti said. “We looked at moving to Nutanix or Citrix, but because Rimini Street had done so well with our SAP support, we thought, ‘Why not use them for VMware too?’”

 

 

Building on a trusted partnership with confidence in Rimini Street’s vendor-agnostic support model, Lwart selected Rimini Support™ for VMware, delivered under Rimini Custom™, which provides third-party support and managed services across a broad range of enterprise software, including end-of-life systems. Rimini Support for VMware is helping Lwart reduce maintenance costs, receive higher quality support for its critical systems and avoid forced upgrades just to remain fully supported.

 

 

Additional Rimini Street benefits include:

 

 

  • Guaranteed 10-minute response time for priority cases, delivered on average in less than 2 minutes, 24/7/365 global coverage with frequent cadence of communications updates until resolution
  • Rimini Protect™ for Advanced Hypervisor Security (AHS) Powered by Vali Cyber® to help defend against ransomware and other common malware-based attacks
  • Root cause analysis to help prevent future issues
  • Perpetual license support without required upgrades or migrations

 

 

Cost savings fuel business process innovation at Lwart

 

The expanded partnership ensures high availability and operational stability across Lwart’s SAP and VMware systems while significantly reducing ongoing IT overhead costs. With routine maintenance demands expertly covered, Lwart’s IT team is now focused on modernizing processes that support its nationwide collection and logistics network.

 

 

“With Rimini Street, our SAP and VMware environments simply work,” Andriotti said. “That reliability gives us time to improve business processes and collaborate more closely with our innovation teams. We’ve found a partner we trust to keep our core systems running while we focus on where the business needs to go next.”

 

 

“Our long-standing partnership with Lwart Environmental Solutions is built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to results,” said Edenize Maron, general manager for the Americas at Rimini Street. “By delivering reliable, high-impact support for both SAP ERP and VMware virtualization environments, we help Lwart redirect people, time and money toward advancing the business. We’re proud to support their continued growth and leadership in circular-economy operations, and most importantly, to help support Lwart’s mission to preserve natural resources and create a more environmentally conscious world for all.”

 

 

Read the full story of how Lwart is keeping VMware and SAP running strong with Rimini Street.

 

 

Learn how Rimini Street gives IT leaders control over licensing decisions, upgrade timing and long-term platform strategy.

 

 

About Rimini Street, Inc.

 

 

Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000® Company, is a proven, trusted global provider of end-to-end, mission-critical enterprise software support, managed services and innovative Agentic AI ERP solutions, and is the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software. The Company has signed thousands of IT service contracts with Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and government organizations who have leveraged the Rimini Smart Path™ methodology to achieve better operational outcomes, billions of US dollars in savings and fund AI and other innovation.

 

 

To learn more, please visit www.riministreet.com, and connect with Rimini Street on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

 

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

 

Certain statements included in this communication are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “budget,” “continue,” “could,” “currently,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “outlook,” “plan,” “possible,” “goal,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “reflect,” “results,” “seem,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would” and other similar words, phrases or expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our expectations of future events, future opportunities, global expansion and other growth initiatives and our investments in such initiatives. These statements are based on various assumptions and on the current expectations of management and are not predictions of actual performance, nor are these statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties regarding Rimini Street’s business, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to our ability to attract new clients or retain and/or sell additional products or services to existing clients; our ability to achieve and maintain an adequate rate of revenue growth; cost of revenue, including changes in costs associated with our efforts to grow and the results of any efforts to manage costs to align with current revenue expectations and the expansion of our offerings; the effects of increased intense competition in our industry and our ability to compete effectively; our ability to successfully educate the market regarding the advantages of our support and managed services for enterprise resource planning (ERP) software and to sell the products and services comprising our “Rimini Smart Path™” solutions portfolio, including but not limited to our Agentic AI ERP solutions; our intentions with respect to our pricing model and expectations of client savings relative to use of other providers; the evolution of the ERP software management and support landscape facing our clients and prospects; estimates of our total addressable market; the effects of seasonal trends on our results of operations, including the contract renewal cycles for vendor-supplied software support and managed services; the effects of the efforts of enterprise software vendors to sell upgrades or migrations to cloud-based versions of their enterprise software on our results of operations; our ability to scale our operations quickly enough to meet our clients’ changing needs or decrease our costs adequately in response to changing client demand; risks arising from incorporating artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies into our products or services or any deficiencies associated with AI technologies used by us or by our third-party vendors and service providers; our ability to maintain, protect, and enhance our brand; the continuing impact of and our ability to comply with the terms of our July 2025 settlement agreement with Oracle; our wind down of support services for Oracle PeopleSoft software products and the impact on future period revenue and costs incurred related to these efforts; the loss of one or more members of our management team and our ability to attract and retain additional qualified technical, sales and marketing personnel; our ability to expand our marketing and sales capabilities; our ability to avoid interruptions to, or degraded performance of, our services and the impact of any such interruptions or performance problems on our operations; our ability to defend against cybersecurity threats and to comply with data protection and privacy regulations; our expectations regarding new product offerings, innovation solutions, partnerships and alliance programs and our ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships; our ability to expand internationally and the risks associated with global operations; the impact of macro-economic trends, including inflation and changes in foreign exchange rates, as well as general financial, economic, regulatory and political conditions affecting the industry in which we operate and the industries in which our clients operate; our ability to generate significant capital through our operations or to raise additional capital necessary to fund and expand our operations and invest in new services and products; our business plan and our ability to effectively secure and manage our growth and associated investments; risks relating to retention rates, including our ability to accurately forecast retention rates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting; changes in laws or regulations, including tax laws or unfavorable outcomes of tax positions we take; tariff costs, including those imposed by the United States government and the potential for retaliatory trade measures by affected countries; our ability to realize benefits from our net operating losses; any negative impact of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters on our reputation or business and the exposure of our business to additional costs or risks from our reporting on such matters; our credit facility’s ongoing debt service obligations and financial and operational covenants on our business and related interest rate risk; the sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents to meet our liquidity requirements; the volatility of our stock price; the amount and timing of repurchases, if any, under our stock repurchase program and our ability to enhance stockholder value through such program; our ability to maintain our good standing with the United States government and international governments and capture new contracts with governmental entities/agencies; the occurrence of catastrophic events that may disrupt our business or that of our current and prospective clients; future acquisitions of, or investments in, complementary companies, products, subscriptions or technologies; and those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Rimini Street’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2026, and as updated from time to time by Rimini Street’s future Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other filings by Rimini Street with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, forward-looking statements provide Rimini Street’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this communication. Rimini Street anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause Rimini Street’s assessments to change. However, while Rimini Street may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, Rimini Street specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Rimini Street’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

 

 

© 2026 Rimini Street, Inc. All rights reserved. “Rimini Street” is a registered trademark of Rimini Street, Inc. in the United States and other countries, and Rimini Street, the Rimini Street logo, and combinations thereof, and other marks marked by TM are trademarks of Rimini Street, Inc. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners, and unless otherwise specified, Rimini Street claims no affiliation, endorsement, or association with any such trademark holder or other companies referenced herein.

 

 

 

 

 

Secure Code Warrior Launches Trust Agent: AI to Enable Safe, Scalable AI-Driven Development

Business Wire India

Secure Code Warrior today announced SCW Trust Agent: AI, the industry’s first governance solution designed to make AI influence in software development visible, attributable, and enforceable at the point of commit — enabling enterprises to scale AI coding tools with measurable control over software risk. For the first time, organizations can trace which AI models influenced specific commits, correlate that influence to vulnerability exposure, and take corrective action before insecure code reaches production.

 

AI-driven development is no longer experimental — it is embedded in daily workflows. According to Sonar’s 2026 State of Code Developer Survey, 72% of developers report using AI coding tools in their development processes every day.1 Yet most enterprises lack visibility into how those tools influence production code — creating governance blind spots as development velocity accelerates. According to Gartner, by the end of this year, at least 80% of unauthorized AI transactions will result from internal policy violations rather than malicious attacks — underscoring the need for enforceable oversight inside development environments.2

 

 

Secure Code Warrior is defining AI software governance with SCW Trust Agent: AI. By embedding commit-level visibility and enforceable oversight into development workflows, the platform enables organizations to scale AI-driven development with measurable control over software risk while reinforcing secure coding behavior across both human and AI–generated code.

 

 

“SCW Trust Agent: AI provides organizations the quantitative pathway to effectively measure the risk posture of their development environment in the AI era, whether the contributing ‘developer’ is human or AI,” said Pieter Danhieux, co-founder and CEO, Secure Code Warrior. “Beginning with comprehensive observability and traceability of AI-generated coding, MCP and AI tool usage, SCW Trust Agent: AI creates a foundation for more effective, adaptive learning that hones in with precision on the most relevant areas and fundamentally changes behavior among development teams, offsetting the introduction of AI-enabled vulnerabilities over time.”

 

 

SCW Trust Agent: AI moves organizations beyond passive visibility into active, operational governance by connecting:

 

 

  • AI Usage Visibility: Maintain a verifiable record of which LLMs — including sanctioned and “Shadow AI” models — influenced specific commits, supporting governance and audit requirements without storing source code or prompts.
  • Proprietary LLM Security Benchmarking: Leverage Secure Code Warrior’s LLM security benchmark data to evaluate models and enforce approved AI usage policies based on measurable security performance.
  • MCP Discovery and Supply Chain Insight: Track which Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers are installed and active to prevent AI agents from accessing sensitive internal tools or databases through unvetted or risky connections.
  • Commit-Level Risk Correlation and Enforcement: Correlate developers’ skill sets (as measured by SCW Trust Score®) and their AI usage with vulnerability benchmarks to identify the risk level, and enforce policy before code reaches production.
  • Adaptive Learning for the AI Era: Mitigate risk by correlating AI-generated code and contributor secure coding skill to automatically deliver the most relevant training to developers and more effectively build secure coding proficiency.

 

 

SCW Trust Agent: AI is available today to Secure Code Warrior customers. For more information on SCW Trust Agent: AI visit https://www.securecodewarrior.com/product/trust-agent-ai.

 

About Secure Code Warrior

 

 

Secure Code Warrior is a leader in AI software governance and developer security upskilling, enabling enterprises to control AI-driven software development across the SDLC. Built on a decade as the leading secure coding training platform, it delivers AI visibility, policy enforcement, and hands-on learning to prevent vulnerabilities and uplift software quality before production.

 

 

[1]Sonar State of Code Developer Survey, 6, January 2026

 

 

[2]Top Strategic Technology Trends for 2026: AI Security Platforms. 18, October 2025By Dennis Xu, Marissa Schmidt, Bart Willemsen, Gene Alvarez, Neil MacDonald, Kevin Schmidt

 

 

 

 

 

The Woolmark Company Unveils ‘Wool Futures’ Concept for Next-Generation Sustainable Workwear

Mumbai, Mar 18: The Woolmark Company has launched the latest edition of its forward-thinking initiative, Wool Futures, spotlighting the evolution of performance workwear and outerwear designed for modern outdoor professionals.

The new concept is led by Woolmark ambassador and renowned explorer Mike Horn, and explores how apparel can adapt to the needs of individuals working in challenging environments such as renewable energy sites, infrastructure projects, regenerative agriculture, and field research.

Redefining Functional and Sustainable Workwear
Built on insights from Woolmark’s Workwear Toolkit, the concept emphasizes practicality, adaptability, and sustainability, moving away from overly technical designs toward clothing rooted in real-world functionality.

“Workwear should feel credible, not costume-like, grounded in the real needs of people who work outside,” said Horn.

At the heart of the concept is the idea of “natural intelligence” clothing—garments that intuitively respond to environmental conditions, movement, and climate without heavy reliance on synthetic materials.

Modular Wool-Based Layering System
The concept introduces a modular layering system designed to perform across varying conditions:

  • Merino wool base layers for thermoregulation and breathability

  • Insulating mid-layers for adaptable warmth

  • Durable outer shells engineered to resist wind, rain, and abrasion

Select designs incorporate Woolmark Optim technology, enhancing durability and weather protection while reducing dependence on chemicals and synthetic fibres.

Designed for the Workforce of the Future
The collection targets professionals contributing to environmental resilience and infrastructure development, including energy technicians, conservation rangers, field researchers, and outdoor maintenance teams.

By combining performance, sustainability, and intelligent design, the initiative highlights wool’s natural benefits, including low microplastic impact and high adaptability.

A Blueprint for Future Apparel
The latest edition of Wool Futures positions itself as a blueprint for the future of workwear—where innovation meets environmental responsibility and user-centric design.

Toshiba Releases Photovoltaic-Output Photocoupler for Automotive Equipment

Business Wire India

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (“Toshiba”) has launched a photovoltaic-output photocoupler, “TLX9920”, in a thin, long-creepage-distance SO6L package, for solid state relays (SSR)[1] in automotive equipment. Volume shipments start today.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260317428805/en/

Toshiba: TLX9920, a photovoltaic-output photocoupler in a thin, long-creepage-distance SO6L package for SSR in automotive equipment.

Toshiba: TLX9920, a photovoltaic-output photocoupler in a thin, long-creepage-distance SO6L package for SSR in automotive equipment.

Demand is growing for automotive equipment relay units with a longer life, a trend that has led to increased use of SSR instead of mechanical relays. As automotive systems continue to evolve, the shift to SSR is expected to accelerate further.

 

TLX9920 is suitable for use as a gate driver for the high-voltage power MOSFET used in SSR. Combined with a high-voltage power MOSFET, it can achieve high-voltage and high-current switching that is difficult with photorelays. As SSR have no physical contacts, unlike mechanical relays, contact wear and the need for regular maintenance are eliminated. TLX9920 also complies with AEC-Q101, the automotive electronic component reliability standard.

 

It is housed in an SO6L package with a creepage distance of over 8mm, which realizes high isolation voltage (BVs=5000Vrms). For example, the IEC 60664-12[2] international standard requires a creepage distance of 5.6mm or more for application in environments with pollution degree 2 and an operating voltage of 400V or more. TLX9920 meets this requirement.

 

TLX9920 is suitable for application in high-voltage systems and harsh environmental conditions. It can be used in a wide range of switching applications in automotive equipment, energy storage systems (ESS) and industrial power equipment.

 

Toshiba will continue to contribute to building a safe and sustainable society by developing products for automotive and industrial equipment that enhance reliability and advance technological innovation.

 

Notes:

[1]

Semiconductor relays that are used to control high-power loads (heating elements, motors) with low-voltage signals. The primary (control) side and the secondary (switching) side are electrically isolated by an isolation barrier, which allows switching of circuits directly connected to AC lines, or switching between devices with different ground potentials.

[2]

The standard that specifies principles, requirements, and test methods for insulation coordination for systems up to AC 1000V or DC 1500V.

 

Applications

 

  • Automotive equipment: Battery management systems (BMS), onboard chargers, inverters, etc.
  • Industrial equipment: Energy storage systems (ESS)

 

Features

 

  • Thin and long creepage package: SO6L (3.84×10.0×2.1 (mm))
  • Long creepage distance: 8mm (min)
  • High isolation voltage: BVS=5000Vrms (min)
  • Open voltage: VOC=13.5V (min)
  • Short-circuit current: ISC=8μA (min)
  • AEC-Q101 qualified

 

Main Specifications

 

(Unless otherwise specified, Ta=25℃)

Part Number

TLX9920

Discharge circuit

Integrated

Absolute
maximum ratings

Operating temperature Topr (°C)

-40 to 125

Electrical
characteristics

Input forward voltage VF (V)

IF=10mA

Min

1.5

Typ.

1.65

Max

1.8

Coupled electrical
characteristics

Open voltage VOC (V)

IF=10mA

Min

13.5

Short-circuit current ISC (μA)

IF=10mA

Min

8

Trigger LED current IFT (mA)

Max

3

Switching
characteristics

Turn-on time ton (ms)

Typ.

0.6

Max

1.0

Turn-off time toff (ms)

Typ.

0.1

Max

1.0

Isolation
characteristics

Isolation voltage BVS (Vrms)

Min

5000

Clearance distance (mm)

Min

8

Creepage distance (mm)

Min

8

Package

Name

SO6L

Size (mm)

Typ.

3.84×10.0×2.1

Sample Check & Availability

Buy Online

 

Follow the link below for more on the new product.
TLX9920

 

Follow the link below for more on Toshiba’s isolators and solid state relays.
Isolators/Solid State Relays

 

To check availability of the new products at online distributors, visit:
TLX9920
Buy Online

 

* Company names, product names, and service names may be trademarks of their respective companies.
* Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

 

About Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation

 

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation, a leading supplier of advanced semiconductor and storage solutions, draws on over half a century of experience and innovation to offer customers and business partners outstanding discrete semiconductors, system LSIs and HDD products.

 

Its 17,000 employees around the world share a determination to maximize product value, and to promote close collaboration with customers in the co-creation of value and new markets. The company looks forward to building and to contributing to a better future for people everywhere.

 

Find out more at https://toshiba.semicon-storage.com/ap-en/top.html

 

 

No. 1 Live Seller Kim Gravel Launches Selling with Soul, Her Secret Playbook Behind $1B in Live Sales – and How to Master It

 

image.png

Credit: Sylvia Lee

 

LOS ANGELES, CA — March 18:

Kim Gravel, a Southern girl-next-door with no degree and no outside funding, cracked the code of live selling, generating over $1.4 billion in real-time sales and selling nearly 29.5 million units across The Kim Gravel Brand (Belle by Kim Gravel and Love Who You Are (LWYA)).

In a bold move that cemented her as a leading innovator in modern commerce, America’s top live seller, bestselling author, and entrepreneur, Gravel launched Selling With Soul, an eight-module digital course sharing the exact strategies behind her record-breaking success. The course launched on March 17, 2026, in conjunction with International Women’s Month.

As TikTok Shop, Amazon Live, and social commerce continue to rapidly reshape how consumers discover and buy products, live selling has emerged as one of the fastest-growing drivers of conversion in retail. However, as more creators and brands rush into the space without a clear strategy, audiences are growing increasingly skeptical of inauthentic influencer sales, and brands are struggling to build lasting trust and loyalty. Recognizing this gap, Gravel launched Selling With Soul, providing a roadmap to sell authentically and effectively.

Gravel’s live-selling achievements speak for themselves. On QVC, her highest-selling day came on March 5, 2023, with nearly $10.5 million in sales and 212,000 units sold, including $8.8 million from her Belle by Kim Gravel fashion line alone. In 2025, she headlined the first-ever KIM-A-THON, generating over $5.7 million in sales across 14 hours of programming. That year also featured back-to-back live audience shows with the highest live audience achievement rate of 2025, highlighting Gravel’s ability to engage viewers in real time across QVC’s platforms.

“Selling With Soul is built on the belief that live selling is a conversation, not a performance,” said Gravel. “When you focus on genuine connection and create a space where people feel valued, the audience responds, and the business grows in an authentic, sustainable way.”

Gravel’s story is as unconventional as it is inspiring. She spent a decade as a stay-at-home mom before building her business entirely on her own terms, proving that authenticity, consistency, and connection are the real currency of today’s digital economy. She is also the bestselling author of Collecting Confidence, the author of the children’s book Maribelle and the Manger, and the host of a top-ranked podcast. Selling With Soul is her first-ever course, designed to teach entrepreneurs, creators, and brands how to turn live selling into a human-centered, revenue-driving experience.

Who the Course is For:

  • Entrepreneurs and creators ready to turn authenticity into profit

  • Brands looking to build loyalty, trust, and community, not just clicks

  • Anyone ready to step on camera with confidence and connect in real time

  • Individuals who want to turn personality, presence, or purpose into impact and income

What Participants Will Learn:

  • How to build emotional trust that drives long-term loyalty

  • Mindset and presence techniques to show up authentically on camera

  • Storytelling methods that turn real-life experiences into revenue-driving moments

  • Step-by-step guidance on presenting live, engaging audiences, and building a loyal community

  • The exact messaging formula Kim uses on QVC, Amazon Live, and TikTok Shop

  • How to scale ethically, turning individual live moments into movements and superfans

As live selling continues to define the future of e-commerce, Gravel stands at the forefront, showing that real success is accessible to anyone willing to build trust, show up, and connect. Selling With Soul is more than a course—it is a blueprint for the next generation of entrepreneurs who want to thrive in today’s digital economy.

 

Australia, Odisha Talks Focus on Clean Energy, Agriculture and Skill Development

In a step toward strengthening international cooperation, Bernard Lynch met Odisha Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo at Lok Seva Bhawan to explore partnerships in renewable energy, agriculture, and technological innovation.

Australia, Odisha Talks Focus on Clean Energy, Agriculture and Skill Development

Pic Credit: Pexel

During the discussion, Lynch appreciated Odisha’s strong performance in both energy and agriculture, noting that the state has surpassed national growth trends in the farming sector. He also highlighted the state’s progress in modernising its power infrastructure, which has enhanced electricity generation and transmission capabilities.

Responding to this, Singh Deo outlined the government’s recent initiatives to expand renewable energy production and promote clean energy adoption. He emphasised that supportive policies are being implemented to better utilise natural resources and accelerate sustainable development.

The talks also underlined Odisha’s agricultural achievements, with record production levels contributing to rising farmer incomes. Both sides expressed confidence that closer collaboration between Australia and Odisha would open new opportunities in clean energy, agriculture, and technology.

In a separate meeting, Lynch held discussions with Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, focusing on boosting industrial investment, skill development, and technical education. The engagement signals growing international interest in Odisha’s development trajectory and its potential as a hub for innovation and skilled workforce growth.

 
 

Major Industrial Investments Approved in Odisha, Boosting Jobs and Regional Growth

Odisha Clears ₹4,510 Crore Industrial Push to Drive Jobs, Regional Development, and Sectoral Growth

Major Industrial Investments Approved in Odisha, Boosting Jobs and Regional Growth

Pic Credit: Pexel

In a significant move to accelerate industrialization and create large-scale employment, the Odisha government has approved a diverse portfolio of investment projects across the state. The proposals, cleared at the latest meeting of the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority, represent a combined investment of ₹4,510 crore and are expected to generate over 10,000 jobs in 11 districts.

At the forefront of this industrial expansion is Century Plyboards (India) Ltd, which plans to establish a major plywood manufacturing facility in Koraput district. With an investment of ₹870.82 crore, the project is poised to strengthen the wood-based manufacturing ecosystem while also creating employment opportunities in one of the state’s relatively underdeveloped regions.

Complementing this, Pidilite Industries will set up a tile adhesive manufacturing unit in Balasore. Known for its leadership in construction chemicals and adhesives, the company’s investment is expected to support the growing infrastructure and housing demand in eastern India.

In the services and technology domain, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is set to establish a technology center in Khordha with an investment of ₹60 crore. This project highlights Odisha’s emerging position as a destination for knowledge-based industries and is likely to generate high-skilled employment opportunities.

The approved projects reflect a deliberate strategy by the state government to ensure balanced regional development. Districts such as Koraput, Kalahandi, and Balangir—traditionally considered economically lagging—have received focused attention in this round of approvals. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader vision to distribute industrial growth more evenly across the state.

Beyond these headline investments, the approvals span a wide range of sectors. In textiles, new ventures in weaving and technical fabrics are expected to boost manufacturing capabilities. The pharmaceuticals and medical devices sector will see fresh investments aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure and production capacity.

The metals and mining sector continues to attract strong interest, with multiple projects in steel and aluminum processing lined up in districts like Cuttack, Sundargarh, and Keonjhar. Meanwhile, green energy initiatives and chemical manufacturing projects, including a sulphuric acid plant and ethanol production unit, signal a push toward both industrial sustainability and value-added production.

Infrastructure development also forms a key part of the investment landscape. A logistics park in Sambalpur will enhance supply chain efficiency, while several new hospitality projects—including star-category hotels in Koraput, Bolangir, Bhubaneswar, and Puri—are expected to boost tourism and related services.

Overall, the latest round of approvals underscores Odisha’s growing attractiveness as an investment destination. With a mix of manufacturing, services, and infrastructure projects, the state is positioning itself for long-term economic resilience. By combining large-scale investments with a focus on regional inclusivity and employment generation, Odisha is taking a decisive step toward becoming a more balanced and industrially robust economy.

Coal capacity and pricing mechanisms help buffer short-term market impacts

LONDON/HOUSTON/SINGAPORE, 18 March – The Middle East conflict is reinforcing energy security as a central pillar of power planning in Japan and South Korea, with coal generation providing a significant near-term buffer. During the current shoulder season, coal fleets could offset up to 70% of gas-fired generation in Japan and more than 100% in South Korea of the same season last year, according to new analysis from Wood Mackenzie. 

While both markets remain relatively insulated from immediate fuel supply disruption, the crisis is accelerating structural shifts toward nuclear expansion, slower coal retirements and the localisation of clean energy supply chains.  

Coal capacity and pricing mechanisms help buffer short-term market impacts

 

Limited short-term exposure to LNG disruption 

Unlike many Asia-Pacific markets, Japan and South Korea face manageable near-term risk from potential LNG supply disruption through the Qatar–UAE corridor. According to Wood Mackenzie, Japan’s direct exposure to the disruption is around 6%, compared with approximately 15% for South Korea. 

“Diversified procurement and long-term contracts provide Japan and South Korea with multiple layers of protection, delaying the impact of fuel price volatility on power end users,” said Xiaonan Feng, principal analyst, Asia Pacific power and renewables research at Wood Mackenzie. “However, the broader policy implications of the crisis are likely to be long-lasting.” 

In Japan, fuel cost pass-through is delayed by around three to six months due to bilateral pricing mechanisms. In South Korea, the cost-based power pool and retail tariff caps help limit short-term volatility, although this places additional financial strain on Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO). 

Coal provides critical system flexibility 

During the current shoulder season, coal fleets could offset up to 70% of Japan’s and more than 100% of South Korea’s gas-fired generation based on 2025 levels, if utilisation rates increase significantly. This flexibility, however, is seasonal and would decline during peak summer months when coal plants are already operating at higher capacity. 

“Coal continues to play an important role as a strategic reserve for both countries, particularly during periods of fuel market stress,” Feng said. 

Japan’s position is further supported by the restart of five nuclear reactors since 2022, adding 4.6 GW of baseload capacity that is insulated from fossil fuel price volatility. 

Nuclear policy momentum strengthens  

In Japan, the transition from post-Fukushima nuclear minimisation to expansion is now firmly established, making nuclear power an essential for long-term energy security. This policy shift is expected to provide stable electricity to meet rising demand, particularly from data centres, and reduce reliance on fossil fuel imports. Similarly, in South Korea, nuclear power continues to gain policy and public support. The government has identified nuclear as critical to meeting future electricity demand, with the potential for additional capacity beyond current plans. Decisions on lifetime extensions for approximately 7.8 GW of reactors due to reach design limits by 2030 will be key to the country’s energy mix, according to Wood Mackenzie. 

Renewables strategy shifts toward localisation 

At the same time, both markets are increasingly prioritising domestic supply chains within their energy transition strategies. Japan is reassessing its reliance on imported solar panels while focusing on next-generation technologies such as perovskite cells and expanding offshore wind capacity. South Korea has already moved to favour domestically manufactured equipment in recent offshore wind and battery storage auctions, signalling a shift toward localisation over lowest-cost deployment. 

Outlook is dependent on the duration of the disruption 

The extent of market impact will depend on the duration of the conflict, Wood Mackenzie noted. If disruptions persist into peak summer demand, the effectiveness of coal as a buffer will diminish, increasing exposure to tighter supply conditions. 

A stronger US dollar could also amplify cost pressures by increasing fuel import costs in local currency terms. 

“The immediate risks are manageable, but the long-term direction is clear,” Feng concluded. “Energy security considerations will continue to accelerate nuclear expansion, delay coal retirements and drive greater emphasis on domestic energy supply chains in both markets.”