Samvardhana Motherson International Limited announced two joint ventures with Japan’s Sanko Co. Ltd. on February 7, 2025, to develop sustainable packaging solutions for India and Europe. The partnerships will operate through subsidiaries in India and Hungary.
Motherson’s subsidiary SMGCL will hold 51% stake in the India venture, while SMRC Automotive Holdings Netherlands will control 51% of the Hungarian entity. Sanko will own 49% in both joint ventures. The Indian venture will have an initial capital of ₹5 lakh, while the Hungarian entity will start with €10,000.
Sanko, established in 1951, operates 27 factories across Japan and specializes in plastic material handling products including pallets, foldable containers, and bulk containers. The company brings technical expertise in developing reusable and recyclable packaging solutions.
“This partnership integrates with Motherson’s efforts towards decarbonization,” said Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman of Motherson. Sanko President Toshihiko Goto highlighted the potential to expand globally by leveraging Motherson’s presence.
The ventures will focus on providing sustainable material handling solutions across industries, with particular emphasis on cost reduction in logistics. Each joint venture will have a five-member board, with three directors appointed by Motherson subsidiaries and two by Sanko.
Motherson, one of India’s largest auto component manufacturers, operates over 400 facilities across 44 countries. The company has been diversifying into non-automotive sectors including technology, healthcare, and aerospace solutions. This partnership extends its presence in sustainable industrial solutions.