Indian Chemical News, India's No. 1 online news media covering chemicals, petrochemicals, and energy sectors, is organizing a two-day conference titled “NextGen Chemicals & Petrochemicals Summit 2025” on June 18-19, 2025 at The Leela, Mumbai.  

The theme of NextGen Chemicals & Petrochemicals Summit 2025 is "Preparing for Future Growth".   

Please register as a delegate for NextGen Chemicals & Petrochemicals Summit 2025 by clicking on the link 

(https://www.indianchemicalnews.com/nextgen-chemical-and-petrochemical-summit-2025/register.php) 

The chemicals and petrochemicals industry in India is a critical driver of economic growth, contributing 7% to the GDP and employing over 2 million people. Despite its significance, women remain underrepresented, particularly in operational, technical, and leadership roles. Women constitute only about 14% of 280,000 scientists, engineers, and technologists in research institutions in India, with even fewer in the chemicals and petrochemicals sector. 

While progress has been made, with women achieving pay parity in some roles and taking on senior positions, gender diversity lags due to systemic barriers, including workplace biases, limited representation in shop-floor roles, and insufficient documentation of women’s contributions. Initiatives like professional networks, corporate policies promoting inclusivity, and government support are gradually fostering change, but the sector needs a concerted effort to bridge the gender gap and leverage diversity for innovation and growth. 

The chemicals and petrochemicals industry in India is at a pivotal moment, with opportunities to harness gender diversity for innovation and growth. While women have made strides in leadership and pay equity, significant barriers remain in operational roles and overall representation. Strategic interventions, including policy reforms, corporate initiatives, and skill development, are essential to create an inclusive ecosystem that empowers women and strengthens the industry. 

Points to be discussed during the session are: Underrepresentation in the workforce; Progress in leadership and pay parity; Barriers to gender diversity; Initiatives promoting inclusion; Opportunities for growth; and Need for systemic change. 

Speakers are: Dr. Achala Danait, Dean, Strategy & Industry Partnerships; Director, Somaiya Institute for Research & Consultancy (SIRAC), Professor, Chemical & Polymer Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University; Priyamvada Bhumkar, Managing Director, Soujanya Color Pvt. Ltd.; Deepa Arora, Director - Human Resources & Communications, Arkema; and Shillpa Chabria, Director HR – India, Middle East and Africa, The Lubrizol Corporation. The Moderator of the Session is Aashish Kasad, Senior Partner & National Leader (Chemicals & Agri sector – India), EY  

The NextGen Summit is supported by Flanders Investment & Trade as Country Partner; APEDB as State Partner; DCM Shriram Chemicals as Principal Partner; BPCL, HPCL, Revvity Signals, Ingenero, Tubacex Group, BTG (a Voith company), Gujarat Fluorochemicals, Excel Industries, Epsilon Carbon, Aquapharm, and Woodfield as Gold Partners; Zodiac Tank Container Terminals, Regreen Excel, and Analytik Jena as Associate Partners; and Archroma as Supporting Partner.