As India’s bus and coach industry undergoes a significant transformation, driven by electrification, lightweighting and growing emphasis on passenger safety, material technologies are playing an increasingly important role in vehicle development. Sika India is strengthening its position in this evolving market with a portfolio of adhesive, sealant, coating and damping solutions designed to address both conventional and electric bus applications. From battery fire protection and vibration damping to structural bonding, direct glazing and lightweight construction, Sika is expanding its technology offerings to meet the changing needs of bus and coach manufacturers. The company is also focusing on greater regional presence and closer collaboration with OEMs to develop application-specific solutions. In this exclusive interview with Bus Coach India, Debanjan Ghosh, Head – Automotive & Industry India, Sika India Private Limited, discusses the company’s latest solutions for the bus and coach segment, the growing importance of EV safety, battery fire protection and passenger comfort, and Sika India’s long-term strategy for supporting India’s transition towards safer, lighter, quieter and more reliable public transport.
Q. What new applications and solutions has Sika showcased for the bus and coach industry?
Debanjan Ghosh: We have showcased multiple new applications for the bus and coach segment. One of the key applications is our underbody coating solution. We have also showcased an intumescent coating, along with fast-curing solutions primarily designed for assembly applications. Another important area is direct glazing, which involves glass bonding. We have showcased a new product for this application as well. All these solutions are relevant to the bus and coach segment, and some of them have been specifically developed to address the changing requirements of electric buses. For example, the intumescent coating is primarily targeted at the electric bus segment and is designed to provide fire protection, particularly around battery systems.
Q. What is Sika India’s long-term vision for the bus and coach industry?
Debanjan Ghosh: Sika is the largest player in the organised bus and coach market in India, and the segment has been growing phenomenally over the last two years. Our long-term plan is to continue expanding our presence in the bus and coach sector. We want to strengthen our portfolio and make sure that we are able to support customers as the industry evolves, particularly with the transition towards electric mobility. An important part of our strategy is to have local resources closer to customers. By strengthening our regional presence, we can respond faster and provide better service. The objective is not only to supply products but also to work closely with customers and understand their manufacturing requirements so that we can develop and implement the right solutions.
Q. How is Sika supporting the transition towards electric buses through its adhesive and sealant technologies?
Debanjan Ghosh: The transition to electric buses is creating several new requirements, and Sika has a strong portfolio for this segment. One example is vibration damping. We have showcased a vibration damping pad that provides a lightweight solution for damping large body panels. In an electric bus, noise and vibration become more noticeable because the conventional engine noise is significantly reduced. As a result, every vibration and noise generated within the body can become more audible to passengers. Our vibration damping solution helps address this issue while keeping the overall solution lightweight. It can be used to dampen large panels and improve passenger comfort. Another important application is intumescent coating for electric bus battery covers and battery casings. This acts as a fail-safe mechanism in the event of a thermal incident. Electric buses have battery covers along with thermal management and fire protection systems. If a failure occurs, the intumescent coating helps contain the fire and prevent it from spreading outside the protected area. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating expands and helps maintain the structural integrity of the battery cover for a longer period. This is particularly important because it provides additional time for passengers to evacuate the vehicle safely in the event of a serious thermal incident.
Q. How important is passenger safety in Sika’s product development for buses and coaches?
Debanjan Ghosh: Passenger safety is a very important consideration for us. The intumescent coating is a direct example of how our technology contributes to passenger safety. Its purpose is to provide an additional layer of protection around the battery system and help contain a thermal event. Beyond this, several of our adhesive, sealing, damping and protective technologies contribute to the overall safety and reliability of the vehicle. When we talk about passenger safety, it is not limited to one particular product. It is about ensuring that different components and systems of the bus perform reliably throughout the vehicle’s operating life. As electric buses become more common, these requirements will become increasingly important. Our focus is therefore on developing solutions that improve safety while also supporting lightweight construction, durability, comfort and efficient manufacturing.
Q. How do you see Sika’s role evolving as India’s bus industry moves towards electric mobility?
Debanjan Ghosh: Electric mobility is creating new opportunities for material and application technologies. The requirements of an electric bus are different from those of a conventional bus, particularly around battery protection, thermal management, noise and vibration, lightweighting and structural bonding. We are therefore continuously expanding our solutions to address these emerging requirements. Our objective is to remain closely connected with bus and coach manufacturers and provide technologies that help them build safer, lighter, quieter and more reliable vehicles. With the organised bus and coach market growing and electrification accelerating, we see significant long-term opportunities for Sika in India.