Cipla, Rocket India announce Rs 300 crore expansion plans in Karnataka; Blackstone eyes data centres

Bengaluru: Drugmaker Cipla and plant-based protein manufacturer Rocket India have announced fresh investments worth Rs 300 crore in Karnataka, while alternative asset manager Blackstone has expressed interest in investing in data centres, renewable energy and fibre-optic infrastructure in the state.

The announcements came during the second day of Karnataka's two-day investment roadshow in Mumbai, led by Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil to attract fresh investments, the industries department said in a statement.

Cipla will invest Rs 200 crore to expand capacity at its manufacturing facility in Bommasandra, Bengaluru, while Rocket India will invest Rs 100 crore to expand its manufacturing unit at Gokak in Belagavi district, Industries and commerce principle sectary S Selvakumar said in the statement.


Selvakumar said Cipla has already commenced work on the Bommasandra expansion, with production from the expanded facility expected to begin by December this year.

Rocket India, which manufactures plant-based protein products at its Gokak facility, has been assured of adequate maize supplies, the key raw material for its operations.

Karnataka is among the country's largest maize-producing states, offering the company a reliable supply chain while providing farmers with a stable market for their produce. The company has also expressed interest in setting up a Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Bengaluru, Selvakumar said.

The state delegation also held discussions with Blackstone, Saint-Gobain, Horizon, Henkel, KEC International and ideaForge Technology.

According to Selvakumar, Blackstone is exploring investment opportunities in data centres, renewable energy and fibre-optic infrastructure in Karnataka.

Saint-Gobain, the building materials and glass manufacturer, is planning to expand its manufacturing footprint in the state. The government has briefed the company on suitable land parcels for the proposed expansion.

The state government has also encouraged Horizon to consider investments in industrial and infrastructure projects in Karnataka's tier two cities. The company is evaluating opportunities to develop plug-and-play industrial infrastructure, which the government believes could support more balanced regional industrial development.

The meetings were attended by Nikhil Jalan, head, and Rachit Mohan, managing director, Blackstone; Hari Singhudasu, chief financial officer, and Prakash Sabarad of Saint-Gobain; Urvish Rambhia, chief executive officer, and Venkataraman of Horizon; Prabhakaran Nair, global head, Cipla; Prasanna Venkatesh of Rocket India; and Sachin Mathur, director, ideaForge Technology.

Industries commissioner Khushbu Goel was also part of the Karnataka government delegation.