As India’s bus and coach industry moves towards lighter, safer and more efficient vehicles, advanced composite materials are playing an increasingly important role in vehicle design and performance. With growing demand for premium passenger experience, durability and fuel efficiency, manufacturers are turning to innovative material solutions to stay competitive. In this interview with Bus Coach India, Rohan Bellikatti, Managing Director of LAMILUX India, Sri Lanka and the Middle East, discusses the company’s growth journey, its expanding footprint in the Indian market, and the latest composite technologies shaping the future of bus and coach manufacturing.
Q: Could you share the journey of Lamilux India and its key milestones in the Indian bus and coach market?
LAMILUX India was established in 2010 with the objective of bringing world-class German composite technology to the Indian transportation industry. Over the years, we have built a strong presence across multiple segments, including refrigerated vehicles, commercial transportation, and the bus and coach industry. A key milestone in our journey has been the successful introduction of advanced GRP (Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic) solutions tailored to the needs of Indian OEMs and bus body builders. By combining global expertise with local market understanding, we have helped manufacturers adopt lightweight, durable, and aesthetically superior composite materials. Today, LAMILUX is recognized as a trusted partner for innovative composite solutions that contribute to enhanced vehicle performance, longevity, and passenger comfort.
Q: What have been the major factors driving Lamilux India’s growth in the bus and coach segment?
Our growth has been driven by a combination of technological innovation, customer-centric solutions, and evolving industry requirements. The Indian bus and coach sector is increasingly focused on lightweight construction, improved fuel efficiency, enhanced durability, and premium aesthetics. LAMILUX’s composite materials address these requirements by offering excellent strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and long service life. Another important factor has been our close collaboration with OEMs and body builders. By working closely with customers during the design and development stages, we are able to provide customized solutions that meet specific performance and operational requirements. Our commitment to quality, consistency, and technical support has further strengthened our position in the market.
Q: What are the latest technologies and innovations introduced by Lamilux for the bus and coach industry?
Innovation remains at the core of LAMILUX’s approach to the transportation sector. We continuously develop advanced composite solutions that help manufacturers improve vehicle performance, durability, aesthetics, and overall efficiency. One of our flagship solutions for the bus industry is LAMILUX Gewebe S Special, an amazing GRP material specifically developed for single-sheet exterior roofing applications. This solution enables manufacturers to create seamless roof structures with excellent mechanical strength, superior weather resistance, and an attractive surface finish while significantly reducing the number of joints and potential leak points. For interior applications, we offer LAMILUX Lamigraph, an advanced composite solution designed for interior roof and ceiling panels. Lamigraph combines high-quality aesthetics with durability, low maintenance requirements, and design flexibility, helping manufacturers create modern, comfortable, and visually appealing passenger environments. In addition, our portfolio includes several high-performance technologies developed specifically for modern bus and coach applications:
• LAMILUX High Strength X-treme composite panels for sidewall applications, offering exceptional impact resistance while significantly reducing overall vehicle weight.
• LAMILUX HG 5000, a premium high-gloss GRP surface that delivers outstanding UV resistance, weather protection, and long-lasting aesthetics.
• LAMILUX SUNSATION®, one of the world’s most UV-resistant GRP surface technologies, providing superior colour retention, surface stability, and long-term durability.
• LAMILUX Composite Floor solutions, which integrate PVC directly into the composite structure, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding layers while reducing weight and improving manufacturing efficiency.
• Anti-slip flooring systems and advanced interior composite solutions that enhance passenger safety, improve durability, and simplify maintenance for fleet operators.
Together, these innovations support the industry’s transition toward lighter, safer, more sustainable, and visually appealing buses and coaches while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance.
Q: What role do research and development (R&D) play in Lamilux India’s long-term strategy, and how do they help the company align with market trends and drive future growth?
Research and development is a cornerstone of LAMILUX’s long-term growth strategy. Continuous innovation enables us to anticipate market needs and develop solutions that address emerging industry trends. Our R&D efforts focus on lightweight construction, enhanced durability, improved surface technologies, sustainability, and application-specific composite solutions. As the transportation industry evolves—with increasing emphasis on electric mobility, energy efficiency, and sustainability—our R&D teams work closely with customers to develop products that meet future requirements. By investing consistently in innovation, testing, and product development, we ensure that LAMILUX remains at the forefront of composite technology while delivering tangible value to our customers.
How is Lamilux leveraging Artificial Intelligence in its operations, manufacturing processes, or product development?
Digitalization is becoming increasingly important across modern manufacturing, and LAMILUX continues to evaluate and adopt technologies that enhance operational efficiency and product quality.
Artificial Intelligence offers significant potential in areas such as predictive maintenance, process optimization, quality monitoring, and data-driven decision-making. By integrating advanced digital tools into manufacturing and development processes, companies can improve productivity, reduce waste, and accelerate innovation. As these technologies continue to mature, AI is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting efficient, high-quality, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
Q: How does Lamilux perceive the growing adoption of AI and robotics? Does the company see these technologies primarily as opportunities for innovation and growth, or as challenges within the industry?
We view AI and robotics primarily as enablers of innovation and long-term growth. These technologies have the potential to enhance manufacturing precision, improve process consistency, increase productivity, and support higher quality standards. At the same time, successful implementation requires a balanced approach that combines technological advancement with human expertise. Skilled employees remain essential for driving innovation, managing complex processes, and delivering customer-focused solutions.
Rather than replacing people, AI and robotics should be seen as tools that empower teams to work more efficiently and focus on higher-value activities, ultimately creating greater value for customers and the industry as a whole.
Q: Are there plans to expand manufacturing capacity, product portfolio, or market reach in India?
You never Know!! India continues to be one of the most dynamic and promising markets for the bus and commercial vehicle industry, and we see significant opportunities for future growth. Our focus remains on strengthening our market presence through innovative product offerings, deeper engagement with OEMs and body builders, and continued investment in customer support and technical expertise. We also see considerable potential in emerging areas such as electric buses, sustainable mobility solutions, and advanced lightweight composite applications. As market requirements evolve, LAMILUX will continue to explore opportunities to expand its product portfolio and further strengthen its position as a leading provider of high-performance composite solutions for the Indian transportation sector.