Odisha is positioning itself as a major force in India’s chemicals and petrochemicals industry, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi pitching the state’s infrastructure, investment pipeline and industrial ecosystem to global investors at India Chem 2026.
“Odisha is ready to contribute at scale to realise India’s one-trillion-dollar chemical dream by 2040,” the Chief Minister said, inviting investors to tap opportunities across the state.
The 14th edition of India Chem opened today at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai under the theme “Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.” Organised by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, in association with FICCI, the three-day event runs until October 24, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and international stakeholders.
Union Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Minister of State Anupriya Patel, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended the inaugural session.
Majhi outlined Odisha’s ambition to move beyond its traditional mineral-driven economy and emerge as a chemical-driven industrial powerhouse, leveraging its resource base, strategic ports, established industrial infrastructure and growing investment interest.
The state’s ports at Paradip, Gopalpur and Dhamra offer access to domestic and international markets, while major projects are creating opportunities across the chemicals and petrochemicals value chain.
At the centre of this push is the Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), supported by Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s refinery and petrochemical complex. The Plastic Park at Paradip is expected to further expand downstream manufacturing opportunities in polymers, packaging and technical textiles.
Odisha is also eyeing emerging sectors, including refrigerants, fluorochemicals, green hydrogen and green ammonia at Gopalpur, alongside coal-gasification-based projects at Talcher and Lakhanpur.
These projects, the Chief Minister indicated, could strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract fresh capital and deepen the state’s role in India’s chemicals and petrochemicals supply chain.
Making the case for Odisha as an investment destination, Majhi highlighted the pace of industrial expansion under his government.
Nearly 200 industrial units have been established in the state in less than two-and-a-half years, representing investments of approximately Rs 3.52 lakh crore, he said.
Odisha has received investment proposals exceeding Rs 22.50 lakh crore, with more than Rs 12.50 lakh crore approved by the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA).
The state has also stepped up its international investment outreach. During an investor engagement in the UAE in September 2026, Odisha received investment proposals worth approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore, including around Rs 2.10 lakh crore from International Holding Company (IHC). Several proposals cover chemicals, petrochemicals and critical minerals.
Majhi underscored the state’s industrial policies, infrastructure, skilled workforce and institutional support as key advantages for investors. He also highlighted the role of the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) and the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in supporting industrial development and technical capabilities.
Reinforcing his pitch to industry leaders, the Chief Minister said, “Your success is our success,” and urged investors to “Come, Invest in Odisha and be a part of Samruddh Odisha.”
The Odisha pitch comes as India looks to scale up its presence in the global chemicals and petrochemicals market. The sector is projected to reach $300 billion by 2030 and $1 trillion by 2040, making investment, technological innovation and advanced manufacturing critical to its growth.
Addressing the sector’s broader priorities, Nadda stressed the importance of research and development, innovation, domestic manufacturing and stronger industry collaboration.
The inclusion of advanced chemicals and petrochemicals under the national Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme, backed by a Rs 1 lakh crore corpus, is expected to support technology development and strengthen India’s industrial capabilities.
With Japan as the partner country and Madhya Pradesh as the partner state, India Chem 2026 is bringing international delegates, exhibitors and business leaders together to explore investment opportunities, technology partnerships and industrial collaboration.
As India pursues its ambition to become a globally competitive and sustainable chemicals manufacturing hub, Odisha is seeking to convert its resource advantages and growing investment pipeline into a larger share of the country’s next phase of industrial growth.
