Today’s feature comes as extraordinary evidence that creative expression and entrepreneurial excellence can work hand in hand. The Iconic Brands of the Year 2026 focuses on the resilience of Soumya Vilekar, who is from the niche area of metal powder technology in India. Our editorial is coming with a rare combination of industry-specific expertise in the metal powder technology sector with the unshaken conviction to evolve India as a global leader in this space.
With Involute Metal Powder Technologies LLP, Soumya Vilekar is championing strategic innovation, indigenous process development, and intellectual property creation. Soumya comes from a family lineage of expertise in metal powder manufacturing. In 1985, Soumya’s father, Mr. S. Mohanty, designed and developed a coal reduction furnace for the production of iron powder, which was patented and the first of its kind. Since 1987, through S. Mohanty & Co., his proprietary concern, he has provided technology and process solutions for ferrous and non-ferrous metal powder manufacturing facilities across the country. So it is clearly understandable that Soumya grew up in an environment surrounded by discussions about projects, engineering drawings, production processes, etc. She vividly recalls a memory from her 10-year-old self when she used to write project reports dictated by her father. Soumya Vilekar took powder metallurgy and the reduction process as the topic of her academic project during her graduation. Interestingly, she was also engaged in further discussions about her project with the professors, as they were unaware of this sector. It was during this time she understood the widespread industry gap in this sector and why she needs to make India a powerhouse of metal powder manufacturing.
Soumya shared with us some in-depth information about this sector that is crucial for economic growth.
“The global iron powder market was valued between USD 6.1 billion and USD 7.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 6–7% over the next decade. India, in particular, represents a significant growth opportunity.”
Soumya cannot stress enough the importance of “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” where our country, India, has to work for reducing dependence on imports for high-purity iron, nickel, cobalt, and specialty alloy powders required for powder metallurgy components, EV systems, friction materials, additive manufacturing, and advanced engineering applications.
Soumya Vilekar: “Involute has developed indigenous process technologies for ferrous and nonferrous metal powders through the reduction route, offering an alternative to conventional manufacturing methods. This includes iron powders and magnetite powders from iron ore tailings, which currently is an issue for their huge dumping grounds and utilizes large amounts of land only for this scrap.”
The creative expression in the form of a poet, Soumya, is highly keen on establishing a dedicated institute for powder metallurgy and advanced materials. She wants to open doors for students who are willing to explore this sector and learn about best industry practices. We are proud of Soumya Vilekar, but she is particularly enthusiastic about her achievement by developing a partially alloyed bronze powder technology, for which she holds a joint patent along with her father, Mr. S. Mohanty, and her late husband. Developed during the 1990s, this technology continues to be utilized within the copper-tin (Cu-Sn) powder metallurgy market for the manufacture of bushes and bearings, reflecting its long-term industrial relevance and practical value.
The editorial pen of Business Outreach cultivates this collaboration with Soumya Vilekar to be the voice of Viksit Bharat. And for the emerging leaders, Soumya says, Every step in life teaches us something new. Accept the lesson, embrace the journey, and move forward with resilience, grace, and courage.”
