Indian Chemical News (ICN), the most credible online media platform for the Chemicals, Petrochemicals, and Energy sector, in association with Alleima (formerly Sandvik Materials Technology) is organizing a session on Indian Chemical Sector: Challenges and Opportunities on August 25, 2023 at Hotel Hyatt Place in Bharuch.   

The speakers for the session are: Ashok Amarlal Panjwani, Executive Director, UPL Ltd.; Ajay Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & Chief Manufacturing Officer, Aarti Industries Ltd.; Dinesh Kumar Rana, Executive Director, Heubach Colour Pvt. Ltd.; Rajesh Patil, Complex Head - Dahej, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd.; Pramod Jain, Vice President - Engineering, Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd.; and Sunil Wankhede, Regional Sales Director - APAC Tube (India), Alleima; Moderator of the panel discussion is Pravin Prashant, Editor, Indian Chemical News.

The Indian Chemical industry is expected to rise from around US $180 billion in 2021 to US $850 billion to US $1,000 billion by 2040. The industry is projected to grow 11 to 12 percent during 2021–27 and 7 to 10 percent during 2027-40, thereby tripling its global market share by 2040. This growth is expected to be driven by the rising domestic consumption and expanding product basket.

Many of these chemicals are extremely corrosive for industrial equipment such as heat exchangers. The corrosion failures of heat exchanger tubes can cause downtime, contamination of products, and in the worst case - safety hazards. The ability to overcome such manufacturing challenges will be critical to business success therefore, right material selection for new equipment is critical. All this will lead to reducing failures and maintenance costs and help in boosting productivity.

The Indian chemicals and petrochemicals industry has to play a key role if India needs to achieve its ambitious US $5 trillion economy goal by 2025 and US $10 trillion goal by 2030. In order to achieve the US $304 billion goal by 2025, the Indian chemical industry needs to tap attractive business opportunities in all segments of chemicals and petrochemicals in a big way.

The chemicals and petrochemicals sector would require an investment of US $100 billion in the next ten years, skilled and competent manpower, proactive policies, strong regulatory framework and trade agreements, incentives, and sustainable growth to propel India into the league of preferred manufacturing destinations globally. Sustainable growth requires an integrated and 360-degree approach and it includes both environmental concerns and economic development. The session will discuss all pertinent issues to chalk out a roadmap for the growth of the Indian chemical industry.

Key discussion points to be covered during the panel discussion are: Present challenges and future opportunities; Difficulties in handling corrosion issue; Lowering operation and maintenance costs; Industry expectations from equipment suppliers; Cost of corrosion/lifecycle costs as against right material; Solutions offered by Alleima to reduce lifecycle costs; and Alleima’s expansion plan to meet growing demand.