Industrial Engineer

Hitachi Energy invests $479 million CAD to bring critical transformer manufacturing capability to Canada

Scimplify bags $25 Mn to scale its semiconductor chemicals business. Speciality chemical manufacturing startup Scimplify has raised $25 Mn (around ₹238 Cr) in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, the venture capital arm of Japan's Hitachi Group The startup will use the fresh capital to expand its research, processing and manufacturing capabilities across rare earth and critical metals purification The round also saw participation from existing backers such as Accel, Bertelsmann India Investments, 3one4 Capital and Omnivore, alongside Teknor Apex and Henkel Speciality chemical manufacturing startup Scimplify has raised $25 Mn (around ₹238 Cr) in a fresh funding round led by Hitachi Ventures, the venture capital arm of Japan's Hitachi Group. The round also saw participation from existing backers such as Accel, Bertelsmann India Investments, 3one4 Capital and Omnivore. New investors including Teknor Apex, Henkel and an undisclosed Japanese chemical company also joined the round. The startup will use the fresh capital to expand its research, processing and manufacturing capabilities across rare earth and critical metals purification. The funds will also go towards scaling its semiconductor chemicals and battery chemicals businesses. A chunk of the capital will also be used to strengthen SciNode, Scimplify's agentic AI platform that connects research, process development, control and physical manufacturing. Founded in 2023 by Sachin Santhosh, Salil Srivastava, Dheeraj Dhingra and Hersh Manek, Scimplify is a B2B platform that specialises in end-to-end sourcing and manufacturing of speciality chemicals. It also offers contract research and commercial chemical manufacturing for agro-chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients and fragrances. The startup currently operates R&D facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with its SciNode software platform supporting its manufacturing operations. Its network comprises more than 500 manufacturing partners and thousands of scientists and technical partners. Prior to this, Scimplify had secured $40 Mn in its Series B funding round, co-led by Accel and Bertelsmann Investments, in March last year. "In the 18 months since our initial investment, Scimplify has grown from serving 600+ customers across 16 countries to building a global platform with 1,000+ customers across 40+ countries," Accel partner Rachit Parekh said. Scimplify's customers include Henkel, Coromandel, Dr Reddy's, Coherent, Holcim, BASF, Sanyo, Marubeni, among others. The startup claims to operate across five countries and serves more than 1,000 customers across over 40 countries. Going forward, Scimplify plans to expand its presence in the US, initially focusing on sectors where domestic processing capabilities remain limited. These will include rare earth and critical metals purification and processing as well as high-purity semiconductor and battery chemicals. Scimplify's latest fundraise comes as India looks to strengthen its position in the global chemicals value chain. Earlier this week, Bengaluru-based speciality chemicals startup NuSynth Technologies raised ₹36.5 Cr in a seed round co-led by Avaana Capital and Shastra VC. Scimplify operates in the broader Indian deeptech sector, which continues to draw investor attention on the back of regulatory push, subsidies, innovative local solutions, a thriving talent pool and growing local demand. Overall, Indian deeptech startups raised $290 Mn across 28 deals in Q3 2026, a 176% increase from $105 Mn across 29 deals in the year-ago period. The sector outpaced the broader Indian startup ecosystem, where funding grew 5% to $2.2 Bn.

Smart glasses, resilient appliances and AI set the tone at CEATEC 2026. As CEATEC 2026 opens its doors in Tokyo this week, the event once again offers a glimpse of technologies that could shape future consumer products, services and retail opportunities, writes Steve May. Running from 13-16 October, CEATEC remains Japan's flagship technology exhibition and a key global showcase for developments across consumer electronics, digital services, mobility and artificial intelligence. The event brings together established manufacturers, technology start-ups and research organisations from Japan and beyond, with a strong focus on innovations that have the potential to move from concept to commercial reality. Among the most notable developments this year is TDK's work on next-generation smart glasses. The company received the CEATEC 2026 Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award for its Meta-Optic Mirror display technology. TDK suggests smart glasses could become an important platform for AI-powered services in the years ahead. Its new display approach is designed to overcome some of the limitations associated with conventional optical systems, allowing manufacturers to create slimmer and more stylish eyewear. Fujitsu is using the show to demonstrate how advanced technologies may contribute to a more resilient society. Its exhibit combines AI and digital twin technologies within a disaster evacuation simulation that features Godzilla, one of Japan's most recognisable cultural icons. Sharp is also drawing attention with its Emergency Triple Free Laundry system, one of the winners recognised by the CEATEC Awards programme. The appliance has been developed to operate in situations where access to water and drainage infrastructure may be restricted, while still functioning as a conventional washing machine in everyday use. The system uses a novel multi-stage purification process that enables wash water to be recycled and reused when required. The concept reflects a broader trend towards home appliances that combine convenience with resilience and sustainability. The annual CEATEC Awards continue to highlight technologies judged to offer strong technical innovation alongside commercial potential. Mitsubishi Electric received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award for its TUSS, or Task-aware Unified Source Separation, technology. The system is designed to distinguish between different types of sound, from human voices to indications of machinery faults. It's a talent that could (at some point) have applications in manufacturing, infrastructure monitoring and future smart home environments. Hitachi was also awarded the Minister of Digital Affairs Award for HMAX, an AI platform intended to support what the company describes as a more harmonised society. The recognition highlights the continued focus on AI systems that can be applied to practical, real-world challenges rather than purely experimental applications. Elsewhere at CEATEC, WineBank is presenting a service that reflects the growing convergence of digital platforms and lifestyle products. The company enables users to purchase rare wines, store them in specialist facilities and monitor their market value, with the option to sell bottles through the platform. The concept treats wine not only as a consumable product but also as a collectible asset. For ERT readers, many of this year's exhibits point towards long-term trends already visible across the sector: AI becoming embedded in everyday products, growing interest in resilience and sustainability, and the search for new consumer devices that could sit alongside today's smartphones and connected home products. While much of the tech on display remains at an early stage, CEATEC 2026 provides a useful indicator of where Japanese manufacturers and technology companies are directing their efforts, and where future opportunities may emerge for wider retail. Stay ahead in the Electrical Retail Industry Never miss a beat in the world of electrical retail. Subscribe to its weekly newsletter for the latest industry news, insights, and trends - delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, receive ERT Magazine 10 times a year, bringing you the latest analysis, insights, and inspiration from across the industry.