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CII CHEMICAL SUMMIT Country President, Dow India said, She said that investing in resources lenge requiring technological advance-
“ESG is driving the growth of the that can drive innovation in the chemi- ments and value chain collaboration.
Time to stop looking at chemical industry investments chemical sector and is aligned with cal sector is essential. India’s potential
the development of the industry. Apart for sustained growth hinges on focus- She noted that technologies like
from a narrow pollution perspective: Gujarat Minister from ESG, corporate governance, DEI ing innovation efforts and prioritising artifi cial intelligence hold immense
Investments in chemical sector (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and customer-centric solutions rather than a potential to optimise operations, reduce
should not be viewed as a future pollu- community-based development, sus- broad, scattered approach. resource use, and enhance market
tion concern, according to Mr. Mukesh- tainability is equally important for the responsiveness, further driving sustain-
bhai Zinabhai Patel, Gujarat’s Minister growth of the sector.” He also empha- “Signifi cant gaps remain in re- able growth.
of State for forest and environment, sised the use of technology which will search and development investment
climate change, water resources and greatly help in enhancing the producti- compared to global standards. For The chemical sector also faces a
water supply. He was speaking at vity in this sector. India to remain competitive, it must generational shift, with a new work-
the ‘Chemical Summit’ organised by allocate more resources toward inno- force that demands modern approaches
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Invest in R&D, sustainability vation, not just in products but also in to engagement and development. To
in Mumbai recently. Ms. Bhavana Bindra, Managing business models, tools, and processes,” attract talent, the industry must adapt
Director – India, Middle East and she pointed out. its image and strategies to appeal to
There is a need to change the per- Africa, Lubrizol said that while global younger generations eager to make a
spective of state governments that of achieving net-zero emissions,” ing and predictive maintenance powered uncertainties such as trade barriers, Sustainability is also a critical area meaningful impact. Addressing this
bringing in investment in the chemical Mr. Patel added. by IoT systems can help the industry tariff wars, and regulatory complexi- of focus. While companies have made talent gap, along with fostering innovation
sector will lead to pollution in the state, proactively address ineffi ciencies and ties persist, India’s chemical sector has strides in reducing direct (Scope 1 and and sustainability, will be essential for
he emphasised. The minister noted that “Chemical sector will play a major adhere to global environmental stan- emerged as a growth leader, surpassing 2) emissions, tackling indirect (Scope achieving India’s 2047 vision of becom-
the Gujarat government is taking up role in paving a way forward for India dards. Digitisation is a growth multiplier, global projections. 3) emissions remains a complex chal- ing a global leader, said Ms. Bindra.
several measures and working closely to be a developed nation by 2047 and enabling enhanced supply chain integra-
with the industry to address environ- industry support is crucial to achieve tion, transparency, and responsiveness AMAI organising conference on alkali industry on
ment related issues. this goal. It is important to encourage while fostering collaboration across
the youth of India to play an integral industries and geographies, he said. March 20-21 in Ahmedabad
“The Deep Sea Project approved by role in the growth of the chemical
the government of Gujarat is helping to sector,” the minister said. “For India and especially the Western Alkali Manufacturers Association sectors. The event is expected to bring to- also cover issues relating to sustainabi-
solve the issue of industrial waste and region, as an industrial hub of pre- of India (AMAI), the industry lobby gether thought leaders, subject experts, lity, renewable energy, policy interven-
we believe that the project will ensure Digitisation as a growth multiplier eminence, embracing digitisation will representing the interests of the Indian and innovators from across the globe tions and technology trends.
new investments and expansion pro- In his address, Mr. Venkatadri Ranga- amplify its leadership position and alkali and chloro-vinyl companies, is including technology providers like
jects in chemical clusters in Gujarat,” nathan, CCO, Tata Chemicals, said, “The attract investments into emerging organising a conference on “Alkali Thyssenkrupp-Nucera, AKC, Chemours The conference is scheduled to
he said, while inviting chemical fi rms chemical industry is embracing a pro- sectors like speciality chemicals and industry: Trends, Developments and India, and others, besides membrane have fi ve sessions covering topics like
from the region to consider setting up found and transformative focus on ESG green technology,” said Mr. Rangana- Outlook” on March 20 and 21 at Taj suppliers and engineering consultants. market trends, technological advance-
manufacturing units in the State. (environment, social and governance) than, who is also the co-Chairman – CII Skyline, Ahmedabad, Gujarat. ments, sustainability, and other topics.
standards, underscoring its commitment Western Region Sub Committee on International market consultants
The sub-sea effl uent disposal pipe- to sustainable progress as a long-standing Chemicals 2024-25. The conference will analyse the like ICIS, Argus Media & CMA will For more information, contact:
line project was envisaged to solve the front runner in addressing global chal- present status and future path of the cover status of global markets and the Ms. Harjeet Kaur Anand, Director,
perennial problem of river pollution in lenges. Chemical sector stands at a trans- Opportunities in mobility alkali industry besides presentations new opportunities for Indian alkali and AMAI, M: 09818904989, E: hkanand@
Gujarat due to increasing industrialisa- formative crossroads. It must reimagine Mr. Vikram Handa, Managing on upstream and downstream industry PVC producers. The conference will ama-india.org.
tion. Under the project, treated effl uent itself to embrace greener practices, cham- Director, Epsilon Carbon in his address
from common effl uent treatment plants pion circularity and uphold a heightened said, “There is a need to realise that the TACKLING CHEAP IMPORTS
(CETP) from identifi ed locations in- sense of responsibility”. opportunity for making battery materi-
cluding Ahmedabad, Kheda, Vadodara als lies predominantly in the chemical Government sets fl oor price for Glufosinate imports
and Jetpur would be discharged into He said the intersection of digitisa- sector and India has the strength in
sea through pipelines that would be laid tion and sustainability offers tremendous terms of technical strength, man-power The Indian Government has intro- this price are unrestricted. Glufosi- According to the Directorate Gene-
several kilometres in sub-sea. opportunities for the chemical industry. and the ecosystem of industrial zones duced import restrictions on the agro- nate imports reached $177-mn ral of Foreign Trade (DGFT), imports
The integration of digital technology that can signifi cantly increase the scale chemical, Glufosinate, priced below between April-November 2024, prima- priced below the specifi ed CIF value
“There is also a need to work together offers signifi cant opportunities to optimise of this industry.” Rs. 1,289 per kg as part of a strategy rily from China, the US, and Israel, will require a license. However, those
with the industry and adopt a strategic resources, reduce energy consumption, to control the infl ux of this chemi- down from $238-mn in the previous a price exceeding Rs. 1,289 per kg will
plan that aligns with the broader goal and minimise waste. Real-time monitor- Mr. Siddhartha Ghosal, CEO & cal into the country. Imports above fi scal year. not face such constraints.

148 Chemical Weekly February 11, 2025 Chemical Weekly February 11, 2025 149

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