Brands
Rohit Markan named executive vice president for APAC at ContiTech
MUMBAI: Continental has tapped veteran executive Rohit Markan as its new executive vice president for Industrial Solutions in Asia Pacific, marking a pivotal leadership shift as the company prepares to spin off its ContiTech group sector in 2026.
Markan assumed charge on 17 November 2025 and will report directly to Philip Nelles, head of Continental group sector ContiTech. Operating out of Singapore, he will oversee the company’s sprawling industrial operations across India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
With nearly three decades of experience across sales, marketing, finance, manufacturing and transformation leadership, Markan arrives with a résumé that stretches across global majors including Roquette and Dow Chemicals. He most recently served as CEO of Roquette Asia Pacific, following earlier stints heading sales for the region and managing global portfolios.
A key part of his new mandate will involve sharpening organisational structures across ContiTech’s diverse product groups, from hoses and conveyor belts to air springs and drive belts, while also helping chart the future of the group sector as a member of its newly formed executive management committee.
Nelles called Markan “the right person to further develop our industrial activities in this vital region,” praising his ability to lead change while energising teams. He also extended his thanks to Hannes Friederichsen, whom Markan succeeds upon his retirement.
Markan, for his part, said he was excited to join a company “with such a long tradition and so much potential,” adding that he hoped to help unlock opportunities in one of Continental’s most dynamic growth markets.
Founded in 1871, Continental today stands as a global tyre and industrial solutions leader, posting €39.7 billion in sales in 2024. ContiTech, its industrial arm, employs nearly 42,000 people worldwide and generated €6.4 billion in sales last year.
Brands
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
