Brands
AB steps up to the crease for Sneaker LAB’s clean sweep in India
MUMBAI: When a brand believes in keeping your sneakers spotless and the planet spotless too, who better to lead the charge in India than cricket’s cleanest hitter AB de Villiers? Sneaker LAB, the South Africa-born brand making waves with its biotechnology-powered, eco-friendly sneaker care, has found the perfect partner in cricketing legend AB de Villiers. The campaign marks the brand’s official India debut and brings together two things the country can’t get enough of: cricket and sneakers.
Tapping into India’s rapidly growing sneaker culture, the campaign showcases Sneaker LAB’s hero product, a probacterial formula that uses good bacteria to break down dirt and odour, long after you’ve wiped. It’s sneaker cleaning at its most sustainable and science-led.
Sharing his thoughts on the association Sneaker LAB brand partner and South African cricketer AB de Villiers said, “When Sneaker LAB approached me, I instantly connected with their fresh approach and purpose-led vision. They are doing something different by combining science, sustainability, and style in a way that truly stands out. I am proud to represent a brand that is not just innovative but also committed to doing good in a country that I am deeply connected to.”
Speaking about the campaign Sneaker LAB founder Jo Farah shares, “This campaign captures the essence of what we stand for at Sneaker LAB, a belief that innovation and sustainability can come together in everyday life. Launching the campaign in India is a meaningful step for us and having AB de Villiers lead this journey makes it even more special. His story, his values, and his connection with Indian fans bring depth to our message, and we are proud to start this new chapter with him.”
As part of its launch, Sneaker LAB is rolling out a three-month ‘Golden Wipe’ campaign. Starting 16 May, five lucky fans who find a golden sneaker wipe inside select boxes will win a chance to meet AB de Villiers in person, a move that blends cricket fever with sneaker obsession in true collector-worthy fashion.
With AB de Villiers on board and a swipe of science-backed style, Sneaker LAB’s India innings looks all set to bowl over conscious consumers one wipe at a time.
Brands
Trump announces $300bn Texas oil refinery with Reliance, calls it the biggest in US history
First new US refinery in 50 years planned at Brownsville port with Reliance
WASHINGTON: The United States may soon see the first brand-new oil refinery built on its soil in half a century.
Donald Trump announced a proposed $300 billion refinery project in Texas, calling it a landmark moment for American energy production and jobs.
Posting on Truth Social on 10 March, Trump said the facility would be built at the Port of Brownsville and developed by a company called America First Refining, with major investment from India’s Reliance Industries.
The announcement frames the project as a centrepiece of the administration’s push for “energy dominance”, with Trump claiming it would deliver thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity to South Texas.
If realised, the plant would mark the first all-new major refinery constructed in the United States since the 1970s. In recent decades, oil companies have largely chosen to expand existing facilities rather than build new ones, citing high costs, regulatory hurdles and environmental scrutiny.
Trump described the proposed investment as the “biggest in US history”, positioning it as proof that policy changes such as streamlined permits and lower taxes are drawing large-scale energy investments back into the country.
The refinery is planned for the Port of Brownsville, a strategic Gulf Coast location that provides easy access to shipping routes and export markets.
A key partner in the project is Reliance Industries, controlled by billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani. The company already runs the world’s largest refining complex in Jamnagar, India, making it one of the most experienced operators in large-scale petroleum processing.
The Texas venture would mark a significant step for the group into America’s domestic refining sector, potentially strengthening industrial ties between the US and India.
The proposed refinery is being promoted as a next-generation facility capable of processing American shale oil while maintaining high environmental standards. Trump said it would be “the cleanest refinery in the world”, although the specific technologies behind that claim have not yet been detailed.
Industry observers also note that the $300 billion figure is unusually large for a refinery project, and analysts are waiting for more clarity on whether the number reflects total construction costs, long-term infrastructure investment, or broader economic impact estimates.
As of 11 March, Reliance Industries had not publicly confirmed the investment size or the structure of its involvement.
For now, the announcement has sparked equal parts excitement and curiosity in energy markets. If the plan moves from promise to pouring concrete, the refinery could reshape the Gulf Coast energy landscape, and reopen a chapter in American refining that has been quiet for nearly fifty years.
