• Bengaluru to Become Its 13th Manufacturing Location
  • 30 Years with ISRO : Eyes Growth and Partners in India
  • From Satellites to Helicopters : Brings Thermal Technology Manufacturing to India

 By Sangeeta Saxena

 Bengaluru. 08 September 2026. Sometimes the technologies that keep a mission alive are the ones that remain largely invisible. A satellite orbiting Earth, an aircraft operating in freezing conditions, a helicopter flying through extreme cold or critical equipment that must maintain precise temperatures—all depend on sophisticated thermal-management systems working quietly in the background. For Zoppas Industries, that invisible technology has been its business for more than six decades. The international group provides thermal-management solutions across space, aviation, defence, medical and commercial applications and, according to its India Country Manager, generates around 40 per cent of its revenues from aerospace, defence and medical segments. Now India is becoming much more than a market for the company.

At BSX 2026 in Bengaluru, where Zoppas Industries was part of the Italian contingent, Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU) caught up with Arun Saligrama, Country Manager India, Zoppas Industries, to discuss the company’s technologies, its three-decade association with ISRO, its aerospace and defence footprint and, most significantly, its plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. For a company already present in 12 countries, India is set to become its 13th manufacturing location. And Zoppas Industries is not looking at manufacturing alone—it is also searching for Indian strategic partners as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

ADU. You are here at BSX 2026 as part of the Italian presence. What is Zoppas Industries showcasing at the event?

Arun Saligrama. Zoppas Industries has a legacy of over 60 years in thermal-management solutions for space, aviation, medical and commercial applications, including appliances. We are a €1.3 billion group and are present in 12 different countries. India will become the 13th manufacturing location for us. We are going to set up a new manufacturing facility here, and we are also looking for strategic partners, particularly in electronics and harnesses. Around 40 per cent of our revenue comes from aerospace, defence and medical, and these are three segments that are growing in India. So, for us, the timing is right.

ADU. That is a significant India commitment. What exactly do you plan to manufacture here?

Arun Saligrama. We will manufacture heating elements and thermal-management solutions for space, aviation and medical applications from the facility.

ADU. And the manufacturing facility will be in Bengaluru?

Arun Saligrama. Yes, in Bengaluru.

ADU. What is Zoppas Industries’ presence in India today, and how will that change once manufacturing begins?

Arun Saligrama. Our presence in India today is very small, but globally we have a little over 8,000 people. Once we have the manufacturing site in India, we will have our own people here and a complete setup.

ADU. Since we are meeting at a space exhibition, what is your specific focus at BSX 2026?

Arun Saligrama. Our specific focus here is space. A major part of our products goes into satellite systems. We have been supplying to ISRO for the last 30 years.

ADU. What exactly does your technology do aboard a satellite?

Arun Saligrama. It is basically thermal management for satellites. At different atmospheric levels, the satellite has to manage all its payloads—whether it is the propulsion system, battery system or EO/IR payloads. All of these are protected and thermally managed by our products throughout the required lifespan of the satellite. Our products can go beyond the lifespan of the satellite, but whatever period the satellite is supposed to remain in orbit, our product ensures that these systems remain protected.

ADU. Does the same thermal-management expertise extend into aerospace and defence?

Arun Saligrama. Yes. In aviation, we provide underfloor heating systems and heating elements for galleys and toilets—essentially applications wherever liquids are present, including fuel. We also provide de-icing systems for aircraft wings. These systems are used by both commercial and military aircraft.

ADU. That becomes particularly relevant for military aircraft operating in India’s extreme climatic conditions.

Arun Saligrama. Absolutely. We work closely with platform companies—whether Boeing, HAL or other OEMs. Our de-icing systems and cabin-management systems are relevant for aircraft operating in very cold environments.

ADU. So Zoppas Industries is already connected with the defence aerospace ecosystem as well?

Arun Saligrama. Yes. We recently received a contract with Leonardo for its helicopter. We also work with Embraer and have applications on military aircraft.

ADU. You also mentioned an acquisition in the United Kingdom. How does that complement your aerospace portfolio?

Arun Saligrama. We acquired a company in the UK that designs and manufactures galleys for business jets and smaller aircraft such as Embraer aircraft. We have had discussions with Embraer for supplying these systems for specific aircraft. The UK company designs and manufactures the galleys, and these can then be integrated with our heating solutions.

ADU. India also has a significant helicopter market. Do your technologies extend to helicopters?

Arun Saligrama. Yes, of course. If you look at helicopter blades, particularly when operating in extremely cold areas, they have to remain ice-free in order to rotate safely. We provide de-icing systems for helicopter blades as well.

ADU. In that case, the OEM rather than the final operator is generally your customer?

Arun Saligrama. Exactly. We supply the OEM manufacturing the helicopter or aircraft.

ADU. That would make India’s expanding military aviation ecosystem particularly important for you.

Arun Saligrama. It is very important, and it is growing significantly. The requirement is considerable. India also has extremely diverse climatic conditions. Aircraft have to operate reliably wherever they are deployed, including environments where temperatures can fall to minus 40 or even minus 60 degrees.

ADU. With India becoming a manufacturing base, will you also use the country to address markets elsewhere in the region?

Arun Saligrama. Yes. From India, our focus will also extend particularly towards markets such as Singapore and Malaysia.

ADU. And when you enter some of the smaller regional markets, would the route primarily be through the aircraft or platform OEM?

Arun Saligrama. Exactly. For many of these markets, it goes through the platform because our systems may already be built into it. So, essentially, the OEM is our customer.

ADU. Finally, what is the next step for Zoppas Industries in India?

Arun Saligrama. We are looking at the next step for Zoppas in India. We are looking at growth, and we are looking for the right strategic partners to help us take that forward. As I said in the beginning, we are looking at electronics partners who can become strategically involved with us so that together we can grow.

For Zoppas Industries, the India story appears to be entering a distinctly different phase. A relationship with ISRO spanning some three decades has already placed its thermal-management technologies within India’s space ecosystem. Its aerospace portfolio—from aircraft heating and de-icing to helicopter applications—extends that relevance into another rapidly growing Indian sector. But the bigger story emerging from BSX 2026 is localisation. After 30 years of supplying ISRO, Zoppas Industries is now preparing for its next chapter in India. manufacture here, partner here and potentially use India as a springboard into wider Asian markets.

As Told To Sangeeta Saxena