Bata India injects ₹300Cr into West Bengal’s Batanagar plant adding PU Direct Injection & EVA tech to produce Floatz & industrial footwear. 130+ new stores in FY25.
90-Year-Old Facility Upgraded with PU Direct Injection & EVA Tech for Floatz & Industrial Footwear.
Bata’s ₹300Cr Tech Overhaul: Breathing New Life Into a 90-Year-Old Icon
Kolkata, August 7, 2025 – Bata India has infused ₹300 crore into modernizing its historic Batanagar factory (est. 1930s) with cutting-edge Polyurethane Direct Injection Process (PUDIP) and Injection Molded EVA (IM EVA) technologies. This strategic upgrade targets the fast-growing Floatz comfort footwear and industrial safety shoes segments.
Key Upgrades & Impacts
⚙️ New Technologies Installed:
- PUDIP: Seamless sole bonding for durable, lightweight Floatz
- IM EVA: Enhanced cushioning for industrial/work footwear
📈 Operational Benefits:
- 30% faster production cycles
- 15% material waste reduction
- Superior product consistency
Why This Modernization Matters?
1. Product Innovation Edge
- Floatz Line: Now 100% made with eco-friendly PU foams
- Bata Industrial: Meets ISO 20345:2022 safety standards
2. Competitive Manufacturing
| Parameter | Pre-Upgrade | Post-Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Output | 8,000 pairs | 12,000 pairs |
| Defect Rate | 3.2% | <1.5% |
| Energy Use | 18 kWh/pair | 12 kWh/pair |
3. Employment & Legacy
👞 1,200+ jobs retained in West Bengal
🏭 Heritage preserved: India’s oldest operational footwear factory
Leadership Insights
Anjan Kundu, Head – SCM, Bata India:
*”This investment future-proofs Batanagar for next-gen footwear demands while honoring its rich legacy. The PUDIP technology alone reduces 25% assembly steps.”*
Retail Expansion Parallels Growth
🛍️ Store Network: 500+ (130 new in FY25)
📍 Tier 2/3 Focus: 65+ new stores in non-metros
📱 Omnichannel Boost: 20% sales now from e-commerce
Market Context
👟 India’s Footwear Industry:
- $20B market growing at 10% CAGR
- Comfort footwear segment up 28% YoY
🏭 Industrial Footwear Demand:
- Driven by PLI schemes for manufacturing
- 30M+ safety shoes needed annually
What’s Next?
🔹 Phase 2 (2026): Automation for customized mass production
🔹 Sustainability: Transition to 100% recycled PU by 2027
Investor Takeaways
💡 Watch: Margin improvement from waste reduction
💡 Opportunity: Govt tenders for industrial footwear
💡 Risk: Cheap imports from Vietnam/Bangladesh
Final Thoughts
This investment transforms Batanagar from a heritage site to a tech-powered hub, proving that even 90-year-old factories can outpace startups when reinvented right. With Floatz and industrial lines now hyper-competitive, Bata’s ready to walk the talk on ‘Make in India’
