NTF is confident of advanced composites, academic R&D partnerships, and innovations in hydrogen fuel cell and EV components shaping the future of mobility, write Richa Tyagi and Upendra Kasbekar.
In an automotive industry driven by the dual pressures of sustainability and performance, materials innovation has taken centre stage. NTF (India) Pvt. Ltd. is leading the way in this space with a sharp focus on engineering plastics and advanced composites. With a legacy built on supplying precision components to India’s top OEMs, the company is aligning its growth with global sustainability imperatives, marking its presence through new facilities, industry recognition, and academic collaborations. This momentum coincides with a broader surge in India’s automotive and clean energy markets.
As of Q1 FY26 (Q2 2025), the Indian auto sector grew 12.7 per cent Year-over-Year (YoY), while the Electric Vehicle (EV) segment saw a record 40 per cent increase in registrations, according to data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). Additionally, the government’s recent expansion of the FAME-II scheme through 2027, with a focus on commercial EVs and hydrogen fuel infrastructure, is further known to accelerate industry-wide transformation, an opportunity NTF is uniquely positioned to leverage.
New Plant in Gujarat
The year 2025 began on a strong note for NTF with the commissioning of its new facility in Sanand, Gujarat. The inauguration was graced by senior leadership from Suzuki Motor Gujarat, including Managing Director Hayasaka and Plant Head A. K. Singh, alongside NTF’s top brass, Managing Director Naveen Jain and Director Naman Jain. The Sanand plant, a greenfield site, has been designed with in-line inspection systems, automated handling, and resource-efficient utilities. Commenting on the inauguration, Naveen Jain has stated, “Our new Sanand plant is a strategic investment to meet the growing demand for engineering plastic and composite components, especially from OEMs focusing on light weighting and electric mobility.” The Sanand facility has incorporated rainwater harvesting, solar energy generation, and a centralised effluent treatment system. These efforts are part of a broader ESG framework being implemented across NTF’s operations.
Global Recognition
NTF’s capabilities were further recognised on an international platform when it received a prestigious award at the Maruti Suzuki Vendor Conference 2025 held in Doha. The award acknowledged the company’s consistent quality performance, cost competitiveness, and contribution to new model development. For a Tier-1 supplier operating in a cost-sensitive market, such recognition from a leading OEM is a powerful validation of engineering depth and execution reliability.
At Bharat Mobility Global Expo
Beyond infrastructure and awards, NTF’s strategic vision is anchored in sustainability. At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the company’s exhibit attracted attention for its emphasis on lightweight and environmentally conscious materials. Among the featured innovations was a sensor-integrated composite sub-frame designed to offer both structural integrity and real-time diagnostic capabilities. During a media interaction at the event, Naman Jain, Director, noted, “Our products focus on achieving greater efficiency and reducing environmental impact, critical pillars in advancing sustainable mobility solutions.” Academic Partnership
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar to co-develop graphite bipolar plates for hydrogen fuel cells aims to develop 1.5 kW and 15 kW fuel cell stacks that can be integrated into hydrogen-powered vehicles, suitable for both light-duty and commercial applications. The project will be executed at IIT Ropar’s Centre for Research in Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation (CREED) laboratory, with NTF supporting lab infrastructure and joint research activity. Rajat Jain, Executive Director, NTF, has stated earlier that the MoU establishes a framework for sustainable practices, advancement in clean energy, and building capability for hydrogen-based mobility solutions. As the auto sector begins to explore hydrogen and hybrid propulsion systems more seriously, components like bipolar plates will play a key role in efficiency, cost optimisation, and localisation. Currently, most bipolar plates used in FCEVs are imported. By developing the technology in-house and aligning with academic expertise, NTF is positioning itself as a pioneer in this critical space. Back at the core, NTF’s engineering plastics and composite components continue to find relevance across platforms ranging from two-wheelers and compact cars to agricultural equipment and wind energy nacelles. With its DSIR-recognised R&D facility in Haryana, the company undertakes full-cycle product development, from initial styling and simulation to tool design, prototyping, and validation. This vertically integrated approach has allowed NTF to work closely with OEM design teams and accelerate go-to-market timelines for new models. The company’s in-house capabilities also enable it to optimise tooling costs, an important consideration for Indian OEMs operating under strict price targets.
NTF’s products are diversified into acoustic panels, thermal management covers, and decorative trims, providing a full suite of interior and exterior composite solutions. This diversification has helped it de-risk from platform dependency and serve multiple industries, including railways and medical devices. It has also enabled the company to push boundaries in terms of aesthetics, form factor, and functional integration in polymer-based assemblies.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, NTF sees itself not just as a manufacturer, but as a systems partner capable of addressing complex design, sustainability, and localisation challenges. The journey from being a dependable supplier to becoming a trusted innovation partner has been marked by strong OEM relationships, a proactive R&D culture, and clear leadership intent. In this context, Naveen Jain’s words from the Bharat Mobility Expo resonate, “India’s automotive future will be defined by engineering excellence and sustainable practices. At NTF, we are committed to building both, hand in hand.” ACI
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