Xynteo’s game plan: How we turned green into gold (and how we’re going bigger)

The intersection of India’s economic trajectory and environmental imperatives presents a unique opportunity to redefine growth. While developed economies struggle to retrofit sustainability into legacy systems, India has the chance to leapfrog outdated models and set new global benchmarks. Through years of on-the-ground work, Xynteo has demonstrated what is possible when businesses embrace sustainability as a driver of value creation and economic growth. 

Our partnerships have transformed how companies approach circularity and decarbonisation within their value chains, revolutionised sustainability innovation in the FMCG and metals and mining sector, and created new models for ESG-aligned growth in logistics and infrastructure. Working with environmental organisations, sovereign funds, and multinationals, we’ve consistently proven that systemic challenges can be turned into opportunities when approached through the right collaborative frameworks. Most importantly, these successes have given us clear, replicable blueprints for scaling impact and boosting the bottom line.

A foundation of impact

Having established these proven models and built strong coalitions across sectors, we are positioned to dramatically amplify our impact. The learnings and frameworks developed through years of hands-on work with partners have laid a robust foundation for delivering innovative and scalable growth models. Our experience has shown not just what needs to be done, but specifically how to do it in ways that create lasting value for businesses and society alike.

Through coalitions and platforms such as Vikaasa, Build Ahead, and Energy Leap, we have demonstrated the power of collaborative action in addressing complex challenges. Our work has ranged from developing commercially viable material recovery infrastructure and enabling social inclusion in the informal sector to accelerating clean technology adoption and strengthening healthcare accessibility.

This journey has been anchored in decisive leadership, unified ambition with long-term partner commitments, and a steadfast focus on commercially viable business models. The results speak for themselves—from identifying 80-100% emissions reduction potential in oil-plastics value chains to creating $300 million in value-creation opportunities through ESG strategies focused on circular economies.

Scaling for transformative impact

To achieve the scale of impact needed, Xynteo has identified three key themes 

1. Circularity: Moving beyond pilot projects to transform waste management through improved material recovery infrastructure and commercially viable models that can scale.
2. Industrial decarbonisation: Accelerating the transition in hard-to-abate sectors through clean technology adoption, improved access to climate finance and carbon markets, and creation of market demand for low-carbon products.
3. Social inclusion: Catalysing sustainable community-based enterprises, revitalising traditional crafts through modern markets, and ensuring that sustainable growth creates opportunities for all.

Attendees included: Aditya Birla Group, NITI Aayog, Ankur Capital, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, Climate Bonds Initiative, DB Schenker, European Business and Technology Centre, The Energy Consortium – IIT Madras , Global Cement and Concrete Association, Godrej Construction, JLL, L&T Construction, Lodha Group, Mahindra Group, Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad, Saint-Gobain, SBI Foundation, SED Fund, UltraTech Cement.

Convening for scale

Recognising that transformative change requires convening the right voices at the right time, Xynteo brought together an influential group of over 30 leaders and decision-makers at Hindustan Unilever’s headquarters in Mumbai on 31 January. The carefully curated gathering united leaders from our existing coalitions with strategic new voices, including policy shapers from NITI Aayog, international climate finance experts from Climate Bonds Initiative, technology enablers from European Business and Technology Centre, IITM The Energy Consortium, Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad and industry pioneers from DB Schenker and Mahindra Group. The quality of dialogue and depth of insights from these sector-defining organisations reinforced our perspective on key enablers for scale:

• Technology access and commercialisation through strategic partnerships: The dialogue emphasised how cross-border collaboration can accelerate technology adoption in the Indian context. This includes not just accessing existing solutions but co-creating innovations that are suited to local needs and conditions. To be sure, the partnerships between European technology providers and Indian industries are already showing promise in areas such as energy transition, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and material recycling etc The discussion also explored on the potential of taking innovations from India to other geographies.

• Innovative financing mechanisms that align sustainability with value creation: The conversations highlighted evolving approaches to green finance that go beyond traditional funding models. This includes developing new frameworks for measuring environmental impact, creating preferential capital pools for sustainable projects, and structuring financial instruments that can attract global investment while meeting local needs. The participation of institutions such as Climate Bonds Initiative reinforced the growing sophistication of sustainable finance solutions.

• Demand activation for sustainable solutions through market development: Leaders emphasised the importance of creating robust market demand for sustainable products and services. This involves working with policy makers to create enabling frameworks, developing proof points that demonstrate commercial viability, and building awareness among key stakeholders. The success stories shared by industry leaders demonstrated how early movers are already creating competitive advantages through sustainability initiatives.

Charting the path forward

Now, more than ever, there is a clear recognition that India’s sustainable development journey presents unprecedented opportunities for innovation and value creation. As we scale our impact, we are focusing on three key dimensions:

• Codifying learnings and growth models: We are systematically documenting successful approaches from across our coalitions, creating detailed playbooks that can accelerate adoption in new contexts. This includes developing standardised methodologies for assessing impact, identifying critical success factors, and creating implementation frameworks that can be adapted across sectors.

• Strengthening cross-border collaborations: Our partnerships with organisations are opening new pathways for technology transfer and innovation. We are creating structured approaches for identifying, evaluating, and adapting international solutions to meet local needs while ensuring economic viability.

• Creating platforms for knowledge sharing: Building on the success of convenings like in Mumbai, we are developing sustained mechanisms for sharing insights, best practices, and lessons learned. These platforms will facilitate ongoing dialogue between stakeholders, accelerate learning, and catalyse new partnerships.

The discussions at our Mumbai convening powerfully reinforced our vision for scaled impact and the quality of dialogue and depth of commitment demonstrated by leaders across sectors —from industry pioneers to policy makers and financial institutions—validated our approach to driving systemic change. As we embark on this ambitious journey of transformation, we do so strengthened by our partners’ shared commitment to accelerate the transition to sustainable business models that work for India and beyond.

If you would like to get in touch about any of the points raised in this piece, or discuss how Xynteo can help your organisation, contact Vipul below.

Contact Vipul