Aequs Group and the Indian Institute of Technology-Dharwad (IIT-D) have set up an advanced research and development ecosystem for materials science and manufacturing innovation in the IIT-D campus.

The facility is equipped to support advanced material characterisation, failure analysis, manufacturing process simulation and optimisation, enabling deeper industry-academia collaboration in precision-driven manufacturing domains.

Aravind Melligeri, Executive Chairman and CEO, Aequs Limited, said, “This partnership reflects Aequs’ long-term commitment to strengthening India’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem through sustained investments in research, innovation, and skill development.’

“The collaboration would enhance IIT Dharwad’s applied research capabilities and industry engagement apart from enabling Aequs deliver cutting-edge products to its customers.”

Professor Venkappayya R. Desai, Director, IIT-D, said, “The operationalisation of this advanced materials R&D facility with Aequs marks an important step in strengthening industry-aligned research at IIT Dharwad.

“This collaboration provides our students and researchers with direct exposure to real-world manufacturing challenges, while enabling meaningful contributions to high-impact industrial innovation. This could be a model for deep academia-industry integration in emerging areas of materials science and advanced manufacturing.”

In addition to research, the facility also conducts hands-on training programmes for engineers, researchers, and students, strengthening capabilities in advanced analysis of metals and non-metals.