ACMA Mobility Foundation partners with Fraunhofer Institutes to drive R&D in Indian auto components

The ACMA Mobility Foundation (AMF), an initiative by the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Germany, to advance research and development (R&D) for India’s auto component industry.

This partnership was formalised during the 18th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK 2024) in New Delhi, aiming to provide a platform for industry-driven research and innovation, supporting the sector’s shift towards carbon neutrality, circularity, safety, and environmental responsibility.

The collaboration between AMF and Fraunhofer seeks to enhance technology, sustainability, and product innovation in India’s automotive sector. Fraunhofer Institutes will work closely with AMF on applied research projects focused on new product development, process innovations, and competitive R&D for the Indian auto components industry. Fraunhofer’s experts will engage with Indian automotive companies to improve process technologies and integrate sustainable production methods. Additionally, joint projects targeting sustainable production and road safety will be developed, focusing on circular economy principles and technologies for industry-wide application.

Vikrampati Singhania, Director of AMF and Managing Director of JK Fenner (India), described the partnership as an important development for the Indian auto component sector. He noted that Fraunhofer’s expertise in applied research will help drive innovation, improve product quality, and support a shift toward sustainable mobility solutions in India. 

Vinnie Mehta, Director and Secretary of AMF, highlighted the role of this collaboration in elevating R&D capabilities within India’s auto component sector. He remarked that the partnership will allow Indian companies to leverage Fraunhofer’s extensive expertise in applied research, helping them meet international standards while fostering innovation at a competitive cost.

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, which operates 76 research institutes and has significant global presence with an annual research budget exceeding 3.4 billion euros, will lead the collaboration through its Traffic and Transportation Alliance. This cluster of 18 institutes offers specialised R&D services to support the automotive ecosystem in India.

Dr. Johann Feckl, Director and Section Head of Precompetitive Research and International Relations at Fraunhofer HQ, emphasized the synergy between India and Germany in the mobility sector. He pointed out Fraunhofer’s expertise across the mobility value chain—from materials and manufacturing to mobility concepts—and noted India’s strengths in manufacturing and skilled manpower. 

Anandi Iyer, Director of Fraunhofer Office India, acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Fraunhofer and India, noting that Fraunhofer has collaborated with the Indian automotive sector for 16 years, with ACMA as a key partner. She expressed optimism for this collaboration, which aims to address India-specific challenges, create proof of concepts, and scale innovations, merging German engineering with Indian ingenuity for mutual benefit.

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