India Chem 2026 opens in Goregaon; PM says India has chance to become global chemical hub

An international exhibition, India Chem 2026, has begun at the NESCO Exhibition Centre in Goregaon, Mumbai. Union Chemicals Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated it, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present as a special guest. The exhibition's theme is "Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a message for the event, which Nadda read out from the stage. Modi said the exhibition is becoming an important platform that brings policymakers, investors, researchers and industrialists together. He said he was confident it would create new partnerships, open up investment opportunities and raise India's share in global supply chains. He also said the country has an opportunity to make itself the world's chemical manufacturing hub.

In his message, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of the chemical and petrochemical industry to the country's economy. He said many sectors, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles and automobiles, need chemical products. The growth of the industry is linked to domestic manufacturing and the goals of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he said.

According to Modi's message, the Bhavya Rasayan scheme is being implemented to expand chemical parks. The chemical and petrochemical sector has also been included in the Research, Development and Innovation scheme. Both steps are important milestones for the industry's growth, the message said. Demand for advanced chemicals is rising for semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy and electric vehicles. In view of this, the Prime Minister appealed to Indian companies to invest in modern technology and higher-value products. He also asked them to give priority to sustainable production methods and efficient use of resources.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Union Minister of State Anupriya Patel also attended the inaugural ceremony. Gujarat Minister of State Praful Pansheriya; Prabh Das, chairman of FICCI's national petrochemicals committee and managing director and chief executive officer of HMEL; and Jay Shroff, chairman and group CEO of UPL, were also present. Representatives of various states, senior officials, prominent figures from industry and investors from India and abroad also came.

Nadda said the Centre is laying stress on favourable policies, infrastructure and research to promote the growth of the chemical and petrochemical industry. According to him, India's chemical industry is currently worth about 220 billion US dollars. The target is to take it to one trillion US dollars by 2040 and 1.6 trillion US dollars by 2047. Nadda said that to achieve this target, the Centre and state governments, industry, researchers and investors will have to work together.