Brands
Hindalco gets a bold makeover, bets big on engineered solutions
MUMBAI: Hindalco, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has rebranded itself with a sharp new identity, shedding its image as a mere materials supplier to become a full-fledged engineered solutions powerhouse. With a fresh logo and a new tagline—’Engineering Better Futures’—the company is making an aggressive play in electric mobility, renewable energy, semiconductors, and high-end electronics.
The rebrand was unveiled by group chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla before an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, and business partners.
“Hindalco is no longer just a metals player—it’s a mini-conglomerate in itself, with 52 plants across 10 countries producing high-quality products that shape the global economy,” said Birla. “We are committing Rs 45,000 crore to aluminium, copper, and specialty alumina businesses to deliver both upstream and next-gen high-precision engineered products. Our new identity reflects our role as a catalyst for change, a problem solver, and a co-creator of industrial progress.”
The new Hindalco logo features a bold, dynamic ‘H’—symbolising forward momentum and innovation. But this isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade. The rebrand signals a shift towards high-performance materials and precision engineering, with a focus on sustainability, circularity, and cutting-edge applications.
Managing director Satish Pai called it a “pivotal moment” for Hindalco as it moves beyond being a metals manufacturer to an innovation-driven solutions provider. “Our investments in advanced materials, circular economy solutions, and state-of-the-art applications will redefine Indian manufacturing. The pillars of our transformation—sustainability, circularity, durability, and precision engineering—will ensure we create a lasting impact for generations,” said Pai.
Hindalco is already shaking up industries with its engineered solutions:
* Auto & EVs: Lighter, more efficient materials for electric vehicles, including battery enclosures that improve safety and extend range.
* Packaging: A leader in aluminium can-body stock, pushing an 80 per cent recycled model for a truly circular economy.
* Energy & storage: Partnering with battery makers to develop aluminium and copper materials for next-gen energy storage solutions.
* Aerospace & defence: Supplying ultra-high-performance alloys for Isro’s Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, while developing specialised defence-grade materials.
And it’s not stopping there. Hindalco is building India’s first e-waste recycling plant at Birla Copper and has launched a 100MW renewable energy project in Odisha that combines wind, solar, and pumped hydro storage for round-the-clock power.
Hindalco has been ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment for five consecutive years. Its focus on energy-efficient production, waste reduction, and green materials is in lockstep with India’s net-zero ambitions.
“We invite our customers to demand more—not just materials, but co-designed, custom-engineered, next-generation products,” said Birla. “Together, we can power a more sustainable, more advanced, and more impactful future. ”
With its bold rebrand and an arsenal of game-changing solutions, Hindalco is making it clear: the future isn’t just being built—it’s being engineered.
Brands
Pre-seed funding fuels nailinit, India’s new-age nail care brand
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund backs Gen Z-focused beauty startup
MUMBAI: nailinit, a community-first nail care startup targeting Gen Z and millennials, has raised Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore in a pre-seed round led by Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund and Marsshot VC, alongside a clutch of consumer, technology and operator angels.
Backed by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath, Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund is betting on nailinit’s attempt to give India’s nail care aisle a long overdue makeover. The fresh capital will be used to deepen distribution across quick commerce and D2C channels, build its community engine, and accelerate product innovation in a category that is high frequency but still light on strong brands.
Founded by Tanishq Ambegaokar and Shubham Singhal, nailinit is positioning itself at the crossroads of beauty, self-expression and culture. The brand wants nails to be more than a finishing touch. It sees them as a canvas for identity, content and commerce.
“At nailinit, we are building for a generation that sees beauty as self-expression, not just routine,” said Ambegaokar. “The nail category in India has largely been underserved by strong brands. This capital allows us to invest in product depth, community and distribution in a thoughtful and long-term way.”
Singhal added that while the brand’s tone may be playful, its operating focus is sharp. “This round strengthens our supply chain, expands our digital footprint and enables disciplined execution as we scale.”
The funding round drew notable angels including Shashank Kumar of Razorpay, Arjit Johri of Marsshot VC, Yash Jain, formerly of NimbusPost, Karan Jindal of Meta, Jivraj Singh Sachar of ISV Capital, Nishank Jain of Accel, Yashvardhan Kanoi, Ashwarya Garg of HYPD, Venus Dhuria of Phot.AI and Amishi Parasrampuria of The Whole Truth.
Gruhas Collective Consumer Fund fund manager Gauri Kuchhal, believes the opportunity lies in shifting habits. “Nail care remains underpenetrated in India, with consumers relying on time-intensive salon visits. As convenience and self-expression gain ground, press-on nails can unlock more frequent and experimental usage. Nailinit is well-placed to expand beyond press-ons into adjacent categories.”
The brand is currently the only nail care player in India blending product-led retail with a dedicated kiosk at Jio World Drive in Bandra, where customers can walk in for services while discovering the range. It has also built early traction across quick commerce platforms such as Zepto and Blinkit, with a launch on Instamart in the pipeline, and is available on Amazon, strengthening its omnichannel presence.
In a space long dominated by salon chairs and scattered labels, nailinit is attempting to file, shape and polish the category into something sharper. With fresh funding in hand, the startup is setting out to prove that in beauty, small details can make a bold statement.
