Brands
JSW Steel lifts Q3 crude steel output 6 per cent
MUMBAI: JSW Steel reported consolidated crude steel production of 7.48 million tonnes in the third quarter of FY26, a 6 per cent rise year-on-year, even as a key blast furnace upgrade constrained capacity utilisation at its Indian operations.
Production slipped 5 per cent sequentially from 7.90 million tonnes in Q2 FY26, largely due to the shutdown of blast furnace 3 at the Vijayanagar plant for capacity expansion. The furnace has been offline since late September 2025 and is expected to be commissioned by the end of Q4 FY26.
Indian operations produced 7.28 million tonnes during the quarter, up 7 per cent year-on-year but lower sequentially. Excluding BF3, capacity utilisation stood at about 93 per cent; including the idled furnace, utilisation fell to 85 per cent. JSW Steel’s Ohio facility in the US contributed 0.20 million tonnes.
For the nine months ended FY26, consolidated crude steel production rose 12 per cent to 22.65 million tonnes, driven by stronger domestic output. Indian operations accounted for 21.97 million tonnes during the period, up from 19.58 million tonnes a year earlier.
JSW Steel currently operates consolidated crude steel capacity of 35.7 million tonnes per annum, including 1.5 MTPA in the US. The company plans to expand capacity to 43.4 MTPA over the next three years, with Vijayanagar remaining its largest single-location facility.
Brands
Perfetti Van Melle names BWO as Chupa Chups licensing partner in India
Partnership expands iconic confectionery brand into lifestyle categories
MUMBAI: Perfetti Van Melle has appointed Black White Orange Brands Pvt. Ltd. as the official licensing agent for its iconic Chupa Chups in India, marking a push to extend the brand beyond sweets into lifestyle categories.
Under the agreement, Black White Orange will develop and manage the licensing programme across segments such as apparel, accessories, home goods, personal care and back-to-school products. The move signals a broader strategy to tap into India’s growing appetite for brand-led consumer products.
Known for its colourful identity and instantly recognisable logo created by Salvador DalÃ, Chupa Chups has evolved into a global pop-culture icon. The India licensing programme aims to translate that playful appeal into products tailored for local consumers.
Perfetti Van Melle area licensing manager Anna Amat said the partnership would help unlock opportunities beyond confectionery, adding that the company sees strong potential for the brand’s expansion in India.
Black White Orange Brands Pvt. Ltd. co-founder and COO Mitali Desai noted that the focus will be on building a visually distinctive and design-led licensing portfolio that reflects the brand’s playful identity.
With India’s retail landscape evolving rapidly, the partnership is expected to drive collaborations with manufacturers and retailers across fashion, lifestyle and gifting segments. Product rollouts are likely to begin in phases through key distribution channels.
As global brands look to deepen their footprint in India, Chupa Chups’ move from candy counters to lifestyle shelves could add a fresh pop of colour to the market.
