By Rusen Kumar
NEW DELHI (India CSR): In this exclusive interview, Rusen Kumar, Managing Editor, India CSR, converses with Neal Thakker, Founder and CEO, Magma Group, on how responsible manufacturing and sustainability are being embedded into India’s industrial ecosystem. Neal Thakker explains that at Magma, CSR is not treated as a standalone initiative but is integrated directly into factory operations, material sourcing, and waste management practices. The discussion highlights Magma’s strategy of using sustainability as a growth lever by improving resource efficiency, enabling circular supply chains, and helping MSMEs adopt greener practices without sacrificing productivity or profitability. Thakker also outlines how recent funding is being deployed to scale operations across multiple states, strengthen green manufacturing platforms, and expand Magma Green’s recycled-material and waste-management solutions.
The interview further explores Magma’s technology-driven approach, including material traceability, logistics optimization, and reverse supply chains, which reduce emissions and landfill waste. Overall, the conversation reinforces Magma Group’s vision of making responsible, transparent, and efficient manufacturing central to India’s ESG and industrial future.
1. How does Magma Group define its CSR priorities, and what key social impact goals are you currently committed to achieving in India?
At Magma, CSR is not a separate initiative that runs parallel to the business. It is embedded in how factories operate better, waste is handled responsibly, and materials are sourced transparently. Our core focus is improving resource efficiency at the factory level, reducing waste leakage, and enabling MSMEs to participate in more sustainable supply chains without compromising on cost or productivity.
2. Magma Group recently secured funding — can you share how these funds are being strategically deployed across your business units, particularly in areas like sustainability and community development?
We at Magma are building a first-of-its-kind ‘Industrial Operations Stack’ for India’s factories and contract manufacturers. With deep proximity to industrial clusters and a fundamentals-driven, profitability-first approach, the company works closely with mid-market manufacturers to modernise production, improve throughput, and bring transparency to supply and demand in India’s fragmented industrial ecosystem.
The latest capital will be deployed to scale Magma’s operations across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Telangana; strengthen the company’s precision manufacturing network; accelerate the growth of TerraMag, our advanced industrial materials brand; and introduce new factory-focused solutions. The company will also double down on Magma Green — India’s leading green manufacturing and materials platform delivering waste-management and recycled-materials solutions across the paper, plastic, agro, and sawdust value chains.
3. What role does sustainability play in Magma’s business expansion strategy, and how do you balance growth with environmental and social responsibility?
Sustainability is a growth lever for us as modern-day factories want reliability, compliance, and predictability. By offering greener materials, better waste management, and transparent sourcing, we help them reduce risk while improving margins. Growth and responsibility move together when sustainability is tied directly to operational outcomes rather than positioned as a cost.
4. Given global supply chain shifts, how is Magma ensuring that raw material sourcing aligns with ethical and sustainable standards?
We work close to the source – whether it is raw materials or recycled inputs, our teams spend time understanding how materials are generated, processed, and transported. Proximity helps us reduce opacity, improve traceability, and ensure suppliers meet basic environmental and safety standards. Over time, this creates more resilient and ethical supply chains for our customers.
5. Can you discuss specific initiatives Magma Group has undertaken to reduce energy consumption and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across operations?
Our approach is practical, helping factories reduce energy intensity by improving material efficiency, reducing rejects, and optimising throughput. On the energy side, we support adoption of cleaner inputs and waste-to-resource solutions where feasible. We have observed that the biggest gains often come from better processes rather than just switching power sources. We provide tailored energy supply solutions that focus on renewable sources and energy efficiency, helping factories reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining operational excellence.
6. How does Magma Group measure the effectiveness of its CSR programs, and could you share any recent results or impact stories?
We focus on outcomes that directly reflect the impact of our interventions. Metrics such as waste diverted from landfills, recycled material reintegrated into production, reduced input variability, and improved yield matter more to us than standalone CSR numbers.
For instance, at Surat based JB Group, recycled material was successfully absorbed into regular production without affecting product performance. When factories see tangible operational benefits, sustainability becomes self-sustaining.
7. What kinds of partnerships with NGOs, governments, or local communities has Magma built, and how do these collaborations contribute to long-term sustainable development?
Our partnerships are largely ecosystem-led. We work with local recyclers, MSMEs, industrial associations, and, where relevant, government-backed institutions to strengthen supply chains. These collaborations help formalise fragmented sectors, improve working standards, and create long-term economic value within local communities.
As a CARE-rated, and fully compliant entity, we are committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable, and innovative solutions that enhance production performance while reducing costs and environmental impact.
8. How is Magma leveraging innovation and technology to drive sustainable practices in production, resource management, or energy utilization?
Innovation for us is about simplifying complexity. We use technology to improve visibility across materials, demand, and waste flows, helping factories make better decisions. Whether it is quality control, material matching, or logistics optimisation, technology enables more efficient use of resources across the system.
For example, with our partners at Alpha Ecoplast Pvt Ltd., Magma’s Orbit platform helped convert accumulated dead stock and process waste into recyclable inputs that were reintroduced into compliant supply chains. In parallel, Magma’s logistics optimisation enabled return trips to carry recyclable loads via backhauls, reducing empty truck movement, fuel consumption, and transport-related emissions.
Magma’s commitment to sustainability is exemplified through its comprehensive green initiatives designed to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable industrial growth. Our liquid marketplace enables factories to liquidate their dead stock and waste materials efficiently. These materials are then recycled at processing facilities managed by Magma-powered suppliers, contributing to a circular economy and reducing landfill waste.
Our reverse logistics system not only streamlines the return of goods but also minimizes carbon emissions by optimizing transportation routes and utilizing backhauls. This approach ensures that trucks are not running empty, maximizing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
9. Are there upcoming investment plans specifically earmarked for sustainable infrastructure, green technologies, or social impact ventures?
Yes, a major portion of our investments is aligned toward scaling green manufacturing solutions, recycled material platforms, and better processing infrastructure. These investments are designed to strengthen circular supply chains while making sustainable inputs commercially viable for factories at scale.
Magma Green is another example of a critical priority area wherein our green offerings powering growth that’s responsible, circular, and future-ready. The Magma Green platform allows factories to generate interactive ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reports, tracking their emissions and sustainability metrics. This transparency helps businesses monitor their progress and identify areas for improvement.
10. As a leader, what is your long-term vision for Magma’s role in advancing CSR and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) across the industry?
We believe industrial companies will define India’s ESG outcomes over the next decade. Our role is to show that responsible manufacturing can also be competitive manufacturing. If we can help factories operate cleaner, smarter, and more efficiently while staying profitable, that is the most meaningful impact we can create.
About Rusen Kumar
Rusen Kumar is a distinguished journalist, author, and visionary knowledge entrepreneur specializing in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in India. He is the founder and managing editor of India CSR Network, a leading platform dedicated to CSR and sustainability issues.
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