Sumitomo Riko setting up automotive R&D centre in India

Nagoya, Japan – Sumitomo Riko is establishing a research and development centre in India to strengthen support for customers as the country's automotive industry responds to vehicle electrification and stricter environmental regulations.

The new unit, SumiRiko Research & Development India Pvt. Ltd., will be located in Haryana and is scheduled to begin operations in September, according to a 25 June announcement.

Sumitomo Riko said India's growing automotive sector and increasing demand for environmental measures had prompted the investment.

“To further strengthen our ability to address customer needs in the Indian market, we decided to establish an R&D centre,” the company said.

The facility will develop design, evaluation and technical service capabilities for automotive and motorcycle products, enabling “swifter handling of customer requests” and “smoother development activities.”

According to Sumitomo Riko, the centre will leverage the group's expertise in polymer materials and evaluation technologies to develop products tailored to local market requirements.

The company is expected to establish the new subsidiary in July, with Kazuhiko Kato appointed as its representative.