Belgian engineering firm John Cockerill has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to collaborate on steel decarbonization, green hydrogen technologies, and defense product development, the company said in a statement.
The partnership will drive joint research efforts, combining IIT Bombay’s academic expertise with John Cockerill’s engineering capabilities to develop sustainable solutions for the global steel industry and clean energy transition.
The agreement also envisions the creation of future centers of excellence focused on green hydrogen production, storage and transportation as well as defense technology.
“This MoU represents a pivotal step in our journey to co-create innovative solutions that address some of the most pressing challenges faced by the steel, energy, and defense sectors,” said Vivek Bhide, group transformation officer at John Cockerill.
IIT Bombay’s Dean of Research and Development, Prof. Sachin Patwardhan, highlighted the collaboration’s potential to bridge fundamental research and industrial applications, reinforcing the institute’s commitment to advancing technological innovation.
Defense JV
John Cockerill, which has been expanding its footprint in India’s energy transition, said the agreement also includes initiatives for talent development through internships, doctoral programs, and faculty exchanges.
Early this month, the global leader in advanced defense systems entered into a joint venture with Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics Pvt Ltd, a renowned Indian defense technology company, to combine their technological, manufacturing and innovation capabilities to strengthen India’s defense ecosystem.
This partnership is aligned with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and hopes to enable the country to become more self-reliant in defense manufacturing.
The JV will focus on manufacturing, assembling, and commissioning turrets for the Indian Army’s Indian Light Tank program, a critical initiative to enhance India’s defense capabilities in extreme and challenging terrains.
The joint venture will harness John Cockerill’s global expertise in advanced weapon systems and EPH’s extensive local knowledge to provide world-class defense solutions tailored to the specific needs of the Indian armed forces.
The JV significantly boosts India’s domestic defense production capabilities and strengthens its position as a key player in global defense technology development and manufacturing.
