- India Chem 2026 will be held in Mumbai from October 22 to 24, 2026
- Minister Anupriya Patel says chemicals can be a key growth engine for the economy
- BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme guidelines are out; industry urged to apply via states
- Department seeks priority-sector status under the RDI scheme, outlay about Rs 1 lakh crore
- Target: a USD 1 trillion chemical industry by 2040
Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel launched the 14th edition of India Chem 2026 in New Delhi. The biennial event, the flagship gathering of the chemicals and petrochemicals industry, will be held in Mumbai from October 22 to 24, 2026.
Patel said the government is committed to building a supportive ecosystem and strengthening infrastructure for the industry. The aim is to make India self-reliant and reach its vision of a developed India by 2047.
A growth engine by 2040
Patel said the chemicals and petrochemicals sector can become an important growth engine for the Indian economy. She called for aligning national initiatives, including the Critical Mineral Mission, Rare Earth Corridor, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, National Manufacturing Mission and FDI reforms. The goal is to make India a global hub for battery chemicals, speciality chemicals and semiconductor chemicals by 2040.
On the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme, she said it should not be seen as only an infrastructure programme. She said it is meant to help the industry innovate, invest and expand. The guidelines have been released, and she urged industry to work with state governments to submit proposals on time.
Push on R&D
Patel urged companies to spend more on research and development and adopt newer technologies. She said her department is pursuing the Department of Science and Technology to declare chemicals and petrochemicals a priority sector. That would bring the sector under the new Research Development Innovation (RDI) Scheme, which has an outlay of about Rs 1 lakh crore. She said these steps would help reach the goal of a USD 1 trillion chemical industry by 2040.
Department plans and industry views
Tejveer Singh, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), said the chemicals sector forms the bedrock of India’s economic growth. He said the vision of dedicated chemical parks is close to reality through the BHAVYA Rasayan scheme. These parks will offer plug and play facilities and proper infrastructure to cut production costs. He also stressed sustained R&D investment and said the department is working with DPIIT on import substitution exercises that include the sector.
Deepankar Aron, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, made a presentation on the event. He said India Chem aims to attract investment and build B2B partnerships. Prabh Das, Chairman of the FICCI National Petrochemicals and Plastics Committee, said India needs to focus on higher production and has full government support for it.
What the event will cover
The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals is hosting India Chem 2026 with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). The event will include an international exhibition and conference. Industry leaders, policymakers, investors, researchers and international participants are expected.
Sector conclaves will cover agrochemicals, petrochemicals, speciality chemicals, infrastructure, environment issues, and process, plant and machinery. Region-specific forums will cover India-US, India-EU, India-Russia and India-Japan. The theme is “Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Hub”.
