“The Indian die and mould industry is entering a period of significant expansion, propelled by strong demand from automotive, EV, aerospace, electronics, and medical sectors. Market studies indicate rapid growth, with the Indian tooling market projected to rise by USD 2.84 billion between 2024–2029, supported by increasing automotive production, evolving vehicle platforms, and rising consumption across India’s middle-income population. Despite its progress, the industry continues to rely on imports for approximately onethird of its tooling needs – representing both a challenge and a substantial opportunity for domestic manufacturers,” says Amol Mane, Director – Sales & Marketing, Asia at Cimatron.
What key trends, challenges, or growth opportunities do you see in the Indian die and mould industry today, and how might they evolve by 2026?
As per the market analysis reports, the die and molds market for India is forecast to grow by USD 2.84 billion at a CAGR of 11.4% between 2024 and 2029. TAGMA puts the current market size in India at approximately ₹23,600 crore, though around 34% of tooling demand is still met through imports – gap that is both the industry’s biggest weakness and its biggest opportunity.
Growth in the automotive sector and electronics sectors directly drives demand across the supply chain, including Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 suppliers, where the Indian die and mould industry plays a critical role. This momentum continues to support steady growth for mould and die manufacturers, particularly as vehicle platforms evolve and model lifecycles become shorter.
The automotive sector in India remains strong, with EV adoption gradually increasing. While EV growth has been slower than initially expected due to infrastructure challenges such as limited availability of charging stations, domestic automotive OEMs are aggressively launching new EV models. This has intensified competition and increased the pressure on suppliers to respond faster, impacting global automotive players as well.
From an application standpoint, most of the vehicle interior components such as instrument panels, and other plastic parts are produced through plastic injection moulding, requiring high-precision moulds. Similarly, many exterior and structural automobile components rely on progressive/combination/transfer dies for sheet metal forming, especially for high-volume production. As automotive production scales up, demand for advanced, reliable tooling continues to rise.
We recently conducted an industry event at Vasai near Mumbai showcasing our end-to-end solution for Mold & Die Design and Manufacturing and received an excellent response, with several active leads currently under evaluation. This reflects how the die and mould sector is actively adapting to new market demands.
The key challenges today are delivery timelines and quality. With new vehicle models being introduced every few months, die and mould manufacturers face continuous pressure to shorten design and manufacturing cycles so production can begin without delays. By 2026, this pressure is expected to intensify, making speed, consistency, and precision critical differentiators for the Indian die and mould industry.
Which sectors (e.g., Automotive, EVs, Aerospace, Medical, Defence etc.) are driving demand for Dies and Moulds, and what opportunities do they present for the industry?
Demand for dies and moulds in India is being driven by multiple sectors, with automotive and EVs continuing to be the primary contributors. At the same time, the aerospace and defense sector is also gaining momentum. Recent development such as one of the biggest Indian organization’s collaboration with Embraer for manufacturing mid-sized aircraft for domestic routes indicate a clear push toward building local aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Globally, commercial aircraft manufacturing has been dominated by a very limited number of players, primarily Airbus and Boeing. However, considering India’s population size and the rapid growth of its aviation sector, reliance on a small set of global suppliers is no longer sufficient. The government’s efforts to encourage new entrants and domestic manufacturing are creating fresh opportunities for Indian die and mould manufacturers to participate in aerospace supply chains, where precision, consistency, and quality are critical.
Beyond aerospace, strong demand is also emerging from consumer goods, electronics, and medical sectors. India is no longer viewed only as a source of cost-effective skilled labour; it has evolved into one of the world’s largest and most important consumption markets. Rising income levels, particularly among the middle and upper-middle classes, are driving higher demand for automobiles, electronics, medical devices, and engineered products, all of which rely heavily on tooling.
This shift from India being primarily a supplier to becoming a major end market is reshaping industry dynamics. As purchasing power increases and lifestyle expectations rise, manufacturers across sectors are investing in better products, tighter tolerances, and faster time-to-market. This creates sustained opportunities for the die and mould industry across automotive, aerospace, electronics, engineering, and medical applications in the coming years.
How is India’s manufacturing push (e.g., Make in India, China+1) impacting the die and mould sector overall?
India’s manufacturing push, supported by initiatives such as Make in India and the China+1 strategy, is having a direct and positive impact on the die and mould sector. Major Indian automotive OEMs are increasingly giving preference to Indian suppliers, provided they can meet expectations on time, cost, and quality. This shift is strengthening domestic sourcing and creating sustained opportunities for local die and mould manufacturers.
From an ecosystem perspective, Indian OEMs are actively working to empower their long-standing supplier networks while building localized manufacturing ecosystems around their facilities. This approach helps optimize logistics and supply chains and makes integration with domestic suppliers relatively smooth, both operationally and culturally.
At the same time, the focus of Indian manufacturing is moving beyond cost competitiveness to product quality, design, and safety. Major Indian automakers launching vehicles with five-star Global and Bharat NCAP ratings, reflecting a clear shift in market priorities. Earlier, vehicle purchasing decisions in India were largely driven by mileage, but today safety, robustness, and overall design quality are equally important.
This change in consumer expectations is putting pressure on manufacturers to produce more advanced, safer, and better-engineered vehicles. As a result, the demand for high-precision dies and moulds capable of supporting complex designs and tighter quality standards is increasing. With rising income levels and a more informed consumer base, these trends are accelerating, positioning the die and mould industry as a critical enabler of India’s evolving manufacturing landscape.
What innovations or technologies (e.g., additive manufacturing, AI, simulations) are shaping the competitiveness of the die and mould industry?
One of the most important questions we are hearing from OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers today is how AI and machine learning can be used to capture the expertise of highly experienced professionals/skilled worker in the die and mould industry and transfer that knowledge to relatively less experienced manpower. The focus is on leveraging technology to automate processes, standardize best practices, and retain critical know-how that has traditionally been dependent on individual experience.
A key area we at Cimatron are working on is the application of AI for CAD and CAM. Over the last year, we have been focusing on CAD AI, where the system is trained using a large dataset of around 150,000 CAD models. Using AI, the software can now analyse and classify geometries such as shallow pockets, deep pockets, and complex shapes and understand their geometrical characteristics. The next step is to enable the system to recommend the most suitable machining strategy for a given geometry. Traditionally, this decision is made based on years of professional experience by a skilled CNC programmer, but AI can now guide newer users toward optimal machining strategies based on the geometry of the part feature.
Another important development is physics-based machining. Through our collaboration with ModuleWorks, who have a collaboration with MANUFACTURING AUTOMATION LABORATORIES INC., Canada, extensive testing has been carried out on different types of cutting tools, and stock materials. This data helps determine the optimum combination of cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut for specific tools and materials, allowing higher material removal rates without compromising tool life. Currently, this approach is applied to end mills, with efforts underway to extend it to insert type cutters as well.
In addition to this, we are expanding our capabilities in areas such as wire EDM by introducing our solution in collaboration with Metalcam, which were not available earlier. On the innovation front, the Sandvik Innovation Hub is being established in Pune and it is now driving software development for various CAD-CAM software products across the Sandvik Intelligent Manufacturing division. This enables stronger collaboration and synergy across products such as Cimatron, Mastercam, VERICUT, GibbsCAM, and SigmaNEST.
Finally, competitiveness in die and mould manufacturing increasingly depends on how well machine tools, cutting tools, and CAM software work together in a synchronized manner. By collaborating closely with cutting tool brands such as Sandvik Coromant, Walter, Seco Tools, and Dormer Pramet, the objective is to ensure these three elements are fully synchronized. The goal is to support customers with integrated, end-to-end solutions from concept to detailed design through to final machining thereby strengthening efficiency, consistency, and overall competitiveness.
How has participating in past DMI exhibitions contributed to growth, networking, or collaborations within the tooling ecosystem?
Participation in DMI or TAGMA exhibitions has played an important role in strengthening collaboration within the tooling ecosystem. Over time, the focus has shifted from participating as an individual brand to using these platforms to build stronger partnerships across the value chain. Today, the emphasis is clearly on collaboration rather than working in silos.
Through these exhibitions, we have been able to collaborate closely with machine tool manufacturers such as Hurco, as well as with various cutting tool manufacturers. The objective is to synchronize machine tools, cutting tools, and CAD/CAM software to deliver the best possible product for customers. These interactions and discussions are far more effective when they happen on a common industry platform like DMI.
We have consistently participated in TAGMA exhibitions as Cimatron, but our approach has evolved. Instead of showcasing standalone capabilities, the focus is now on demonstrating how our integrated CAD-CAM solution can provide an end-to-end solution for Mold & Die/Manufacturing industry. At Sandvik, the broader vision is to help customers across the entire value chain from concept to reality.
Cimatron’s strength lies in offering integrated CAD and CAM capabilities, covering mold design, die design, electrode design, and NC programming. In addition, tools for collaboration such as the Cimatron Viewer enable multiple departments to access and review model data without requiring full CAD software. Overall, exhibitions like DMI have become valuable platforms for building partnerships, enabling technical collaboration, and strengthening the tooling ecosystem as a whole.
What makes DMI 2026 a valuable platform for the die and mould industry to showcase its strengths to domestic or global customers?
DMI, organised under the TAGMA platform, is a dedicated exhibition focused exclusively on the die and mould industry, which makes it extremely relevant and valuable. For companies like ours, which offer integrated CAD-CAM solutions specifically designed for mould and die applications, it provides the right stage to showcase end-to-end capabilities. It also allows us to demonstrate collaboration with cutting tool organizations and other partners, highlighting how integrated solutions can deliver better outcomes.
From a broader global perspective, DMI brings together the entire die and mould ecosystem on a single platform. This is particularly beneficial for OEMs and multinational organizations that are looking for reliable suppliers, as it offers a comprehensive view of India’s tooling capabilities in one place. TAGMA’s platform enables meaningful engagement between suppliers, technology providers, and global customers.
In the current global context, this relevance becomes even stronger. Manufacturing in Europe has become increasingly challenging due to factors such as the Russia–Ukraine conflict, rising energy costs, and broader geopolitical uncertainties. As a result, many global companies are actively looking at India as a reliable and strategic manufacturing partner. The European Union and the UK, for instance, are increasingly viewing India as an important part of their long-term growth strategies.
India’s strengths lie in its skilled and educated workforce, strong engineering talent, English-language proficiency, and growing technological maturity, particularly in IT and digital capabilities. Combined with flexibility, agility, and cost competitiveness, these factors position India as an attractive destination for manufacturing and sourcing. In my view, over the next five years and possibly even longer India will continue to be a strong, thriving economy and a preferred place to do business. This makes DMI 2026 a timely and powerful platform to showcase the country’s die and mould capabilities to both domestic and global audiences.
– What products, technologies, or launches are you planning to showcase at DMI 2026, and why are they significant for the industry? (Please share the description of the product and share product image.)
In the past, our presence at DMI has largely focused on showcasing CAM capabilities. For many years, Cimatron was primarily known in the Indian market as a CAM solution. However, that perception has changed significantly over the last year, and at DMI 2026 our focus will be on demonstrating a complete end-to-end solution for the die and mould industry.
Our theme will revolve around showing how the entire journey from concept to reality comes together in a real manufacturing environment. This includes mould and die design, electrode design, NC programming, and machining, all within an integrated CAD-CAM workflow. The emphasis will be on collaboration rather than standalone technology.
A key aspect of this showcase will be our collaboration with machine tool builders such as Hurco and cutting tool manufacturers including Sandvik Coromant, Seco Tools, Dormer Pramet, and Walter Tools (Germany). By bringing machine tools, cutting tools, and CAD-CAM software together, we aim to demonstrate how synchronized technologies can deliver better accuracy, productivity, and consistency in mould and die manufacturing.
This approach is significant for the industry because producing high-quality dies and moulds is no longer about individual components or software alone. It requires tight integration across design, machining, tooling, and machines. Through this collaborative, end-to-end solution, we want to highlight how manufacturers can reduce lead times, improve quality, and achieve predictable outcomes in an increasingly competitive environment.
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