The tenth anniversary edition of PRC Europe 2026 will bring together leading decision-makers from across the downstream oil, gas and petrochemical sectors to discuss practical strategies for navigating industry transformation. The congress will provide a platform where industry leaders can openly discuss key challenges shaping the downstream sector today—ranging from decarbonisation pressures and market shifts to the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration.

Industry Leaders to Meet in Amsterdam

The two-day congress will take place on May 18–19 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, bringing together over 400 professionals from leading global companies. Participants will include representatives from organisations such as:

*Petrofac

*Shell

*Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft mbH

*Evonik Operations GmbH

The congress will host expert sessions, case-driven discussions, and more than 300 targeted B2B meetings, enabling industry professionals to explore new partnerships and practical solutions for downstream operations.

Focus on Sustainability, Circularity and Asset Optimisation

The agenda for PRC Europe 2026 will focus on three critical themes shaping the future of downstream industries:

*Decarbonisation and sustainability strategies

*Circular economy and resource efficiency

*Operational and asset optimisation

Speakers will share real-world case studies from refineries and technology facilities across Europe and other regions. The insights will highlight how companies are adapting operations and redesigning processes. They are also implementing sustainable technologies to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Featured Industry Experts and Key Sessions

The congress will feature presentations from senior industry leaders who will share their experiences and strategies for addressing energy transition challenges. Key speakers include:

*Jose de Barros, Chief Decarbonisation Officer at Lummus Technology – Sustainability and profit pathways in the energy transition era

*Rosario Pistorio, Managing Director at Sonatrach Raffineria Italiana S.r.l. – Decarbonisation challenges for European refineries

*Dan Carter, President, Technical Consulting and Decarbonisation at Wood plc – Defining the future role of downstream operators

*Giacomo Rispoli, CEO at MYRECHEMICAL S.r.l. – Waste and biomass as resources for maritime and aviation fuels

*Jens Wulff, Managing Director of Sales & Engineering at NEUMAN & ESSER Deutschland GmbH & Co KG – Future fuels and pathways to net-zero emissions

The sessions will provide practical insights drawn from real operational challenges. It will help industry stakeholders understand how to implement sustainable solutions step by step.

Targeted B2B Meetings to Drive Collaboration

One of the key highlights of the congress is its curated B2B meeting programme. These sessions enable delegates to exchange ideas, evaluate partnerships, and discuss project opportunities in a focused and confidential environment. Many participants say these meetings provide direct, unfiltered feedback. They also often lead to long-term collaborations and joint initiatives that continue beyond the event.

Networking and Celebration at the Gala Dinner

Following the first day of discussions, participants will gather for a Gala Dinner, which offers an informal setting for continued networking and relationship building. Alongside local cuisine and house wines, the evening will feature entertainment and special surprises to celebrate the 10th anniversary edition of the congress. The event aims to strengthen professional connections while fostering a sense of community among downstream industry leaders.

A Key Meeting Point for Downstream Professionals

As the energy sector undergoes rapid transformation, PRC Europe 2026 serves as a vital platform for industry professionals seeking practical solutions and strategic insights. By bringing together refiners, technology providers, contractors, and energy companies, the congress enables participants to share real-world lessons, align on future strategies, and build resilient business models for the evolving downstream landscape. For more information and to explore the full agenda, visit: https://sh.bgs.group/3y4

Amid escalating geopolitical tensions in resource-rich West Asia, Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Group, has urged the Indian government to declare mining of natural resources a national priority. Agarwal warned that ongoing conflicts, including the situation in Iran, expose India’s vulnerability due to its heavy dependence on imported underground natural resources.

Import Dependence Poses Economic Risks

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, Agarwal pointed out that India imports nearly 90% of its oil requirements, around 66% of LPG consumption, and about 50% of LNG demand. Oil and gas alone account for approximately $176 billion annually in the country’s import bill. He further noted that gold imports, valued at nearly $65 billion per year, add to the burden. Together, oil, gas, and gold make up nearly 30% of India’s total imports. According to Agarwal, any sharp rise in global commodity prices directly impacts macroeconomic indicators such as the current account deficit, fiscal deficit, inflation, and the value of the rupee. “The common man ultimately has to pay the price,” he stated.

Mining as a National Priority

Against this backdrop, Agarwal called for urgent reforms to accelerate domestic mining and resource extraction. He recommended declaring the sector a national priority and cutting cumbersome regulatory processes to enable rapid production growth.

He argued that easing regulations—such as eliminating time-consuming public hearings—would unlock faster project execution. While the government has already relaxed norms for critical minerals, Agarwal suggested extending similar exemptions across all minerals and processes. Additionally, he proposed granting environmental clearances on a self-certification basis, followed by post-approval audits rather than prolonged upfront approvals.

Boosting Jobs and Attracting Global Talent

Beyond economic security, Agarwal emphasised the employment potential of a revitalised mining sector. He said deregulation could create massive job opportunities, noting that young women are increasingly entering the sector. He also suggested that policy reforms could encourage skilled Indian professionals working abroad to return home, strengthening domestic expertise in resource extraction and processing.

Divestment and Asset Optimisation

Agarwal further recommended maximising the utilisation of existing mining assets, many of which are government-owned. He proposed divesting at least 50% stakes in such assets to “proven people”. According to him, divestment could also enable employees to gain shareholding, thereby improving efficiency, accountability, and performance.

Self-Reliance as a Strategic Imperative

Agarwal stressed that India must act decisively in an increasingly uncertain global environment. “The world is more unsettled and uncertain than it has been at any time in my memory. There are no permanent friends or partners in today’s geopolitics. Self-reliance is more than a desirable aspiration. It is an immediate economic and strategic imperative,” he mentioned. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, as geopolitical risks intensify, his call underscores the growing debate around domestic resource security, mining reforms, and India’s push toward greater economic self-reliance.

Two major grain-based ethanol projects in Kodavalur mandal, Andhra Pradesh, have received mandatory environmental clearance, clearing the path for fresh investments in the state’s fast-growing biofuel sector. The approvals mark a significant step in strengthening ethanol production capacity and supporting India’s ethanol blending programme. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Andhra Pradesh, granted the clearances under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change framework.

Gayathri Renewable Fuels Gets Green Nod for 200 KLPD Ethanol Plant

Gayathri Renewable Fuels and Allied Industries Pvt. Ltd. has secured approval to set up a 200 kilo litres per day (KLPD) grain-based ethanol facility along with a 6 MW cogeneration power facility. The project will come up at the IFFCO Kisan Special Economic Zone in Racharlapadu village. According to company director Srisai Jabbala, the environmental clearance document has been uploaded on the Ministry’s PARIVESH portal and is publicly accessible. He further stated that the company remains committed to adhering to environmental standards and implementing sustainable operational practices throughout the project lifecycle.

Ramshy Bio gets Approval for 370 KLPD Ethanol Facility

Ramshy Bio Pvt. Ltd. also obtained environmental clearance from SEIAA for its proposed project in the same region. The approval covers a 370 KLPD grain-based ethanol plant along with a 7.25 MW cogeneration power facility at IFFCO Nellore in Racharlapadu village under Regadichelika Gram Panchayat. Director K. Sandeep Kumar confirmed that the clearance document is available on the PARIVESH portal. He emphasised that the company will comply fully with environmental regulations while contributing to the expansion of biofuel production in Andhra Pradesh.

Boost to Andhra Pradesh’s Biofuel Expansion

The two projects will significantly enhance ethanol production capacity in the region while generating captive power through cogeneration units. By integrating renewable energy generation with ethanol manufacturing, the projects align with sustainable development goals and resource efficiency principles. As reported by chinimandi.com, with environmental approvals now in place, both companies can proceed toward project implementation, reinforcing Andhra Pradesh’s position as an emerging hub for biofuel and grain-based ethanol production.

Japan is in advanced talks with India to jointly explore rare earth deposits in Rajasthan, as Tokyo seeks to reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals used in magnet manufacturing. The proposed collaboration underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two countries in securing resilient supply chains for critical raw materials. The discussions build on a preliminary agreement on critical minerals signed last year, reflecting both nations’ shared commitment to diversifying global mineral sources.

Rajasthan and Gujarat Deposits Identified

Union minister G. Kishan Reddy recently confirmed that three hard rock rare earth deposits containing an estimated 1.29 million tonnes of rare earth oxides have been identified in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Japan has expressed particular interest in the Rajasthan deposits. The Japanese government is expected to send technical experts to assess the sites, although officials have not disclosed a timeline for the evaluation. Hard rock rare earth deposits require specialised extraction and processing techniques, making international collaboration crucial for timely development.

Technology and Financial Support on the Table

As part of the proposed partnership, Japan is likely to offer advanced extraction technologies and financial assistance. In return, Tokyo aims to secure a stable and long-term supply of rare earth materials. Such cooperation would benefit both sides. India would gain access to advanced mining and processing expertise. Japan would diversify its supply base and reduce exposure to geopolitical risks in the rare earth market.

Strategic Importance of Rare Earth Elements

Rare earth elements play a critical role in manufacturing high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, fighter jets, drones, and other advanced technologies. As global demand for clean energy, defence equipment, and electronics accelerates, access to secure and diversified rare earth supplies has become a strategic priority. For India, developing domestic rare earth resources aligns with its broader push toward self-reliance in critical minerals and advanced manufacturing. For Japan, the move complements its long-standing strategy to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.

Japan Expands Global Critical Minerals Strategy

Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is actively evaluating mining projects worldwide to strengthen supply diversification. The potential collaboration with India signals Tokyo’s intent to deepen partnerships in resource-rich nations while supporting sustainable and secure mineral development. As reported by projectstoday.com, if finalised, the joint exploration initiative could mark a significant step in reshaping critical mineral supply chains in Asia and beyond.

KBR bagged a landmark ten-year catalyst supply contract from Indorama Eleme Fertilizer & Chemicals FZE, covering the company’s entire ammonia plant portfolio. Notably, this marks KBR’s first long-term catalyst supply agreement in the ammonia sector, further strengthening its position as a global leader in ammonia technology and solutions. With this strategic win, KBR expands its relationship with Indorama beyond technology licensing into comprehensive, long-term catalyst services.

Complete Catalyst Solutions Across Six Ammonia Plants

Under the agreement, KBR will deliver end-to-end catalyst solutions for Indorama’s six ammonia plants located in Nigeria, Georgia, Uzbekistan, and India. By providing integrated catalyst management across multiple geographies, KBR aims to enhance plant efficiency, optimise performance, and ensure long-term operational reliability throughout Indorama’s global ammonia portfolio. The contract reinforces KBR’s growing role as a full-spectrum ammonia solutions provider, offering not only proprietary technologies but also lifecycle support services.

Strengthening a Decades-Long Partnership

Jay Ibrahim, President, KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions, highlighted, “We are proud to build on our long and successful relationship with Indorama, which spans multiple ammonia projects and decades of collaboration, and this new project extends our support beyond technology licensing into long-term catalyst solutions. KBR is committed to delivering differentiated, high-performance technologies that are designed to achieve optimal plant performance and create sustained value. By leveraging our expertise across ammonia design, operations, and catalyst optimization, we expect Indorama will benefit from enhanced efficiency, improved reliability, and stronger operational performance across its global ammonia portfolio.” The new contract underscores the trust Indorama places in KBR’s technical capabilities and long-standing expertise in ammonia process design and catalyst optimization.

75 Years of Ammonia Technology Leadership

For more than 75 years, KBR has delivered advanced ammonia technologies, proprietary equipment, and catalyst systems worldwide. The company continues to support efficient and sustainable fertilizer production, helping customers improve productivity while reducing operational risks. As per the press release, through the ten-year catalyst supply agreement, KBR not only deepens its collaboration with Indorama but also strengthens its competitive position in the global ammonia market.

Union minister for chemicals and fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda said the budgetary provision of ₹13,000 crore for Bio-Pharma SHAKTI and three dedicated chemical parks represents a decisive investment in India’s long-term economic future. Addressing the post-budget webinar on the theme “Sustaining and Strengthening Economic Growth,” he emphasised that Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) serve as gateways to Viksit Bharat and create new global expansion opportunities for Indian industries.

From ‘Pharmacy of the World’ to Global Biologics Leader

Highlighting India’s success as the “Pharmacy of the World” through its strong generics manufacturing base, the Minister underlined the urgent need to pivot toward biologics. By 2035, nearly 40% of global medicines are expected to be biologics, while patents worth $300 billion will expire by 2030.

The government has allocated ₹10,000 crore over the next five years for the BioPharma Mission. According to Shri Nadda, even a 1% share in the global biosimilars market could unlock an annual opportunity of ₹2 lakh crore for India. He stressed that this is the right time for India to scale up biologics production and strengthen its global competitiveness in advanced pharmaceutical segments.

Strengthening Institutions and Regulatory Framework

To support the BioPharma SHAKTI initiative, the Minister called for deeper integration of premier institutions such as National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) with talent and skill development ecosystems. Furthermore, the government plans to develop 1,000 clinical trial sites across the country to boost research capacity and accelerate innovation. He also underscored the need to strengthen the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to ensure faster regulatory approvals, particularly for biosimilars and fermentation-based drugs. These reforms, he noted, will create a more agile regulatory environment and improve India’s standing in the global pharmaceutical value chain.

₹3,300 Crore for Three World-Class Chemical Parks

Turning to the chemicals sector, Shri Nadda pointed out that India’s chemical industry currently generates output worth ₹19.4 lakh crore and maintains strong capabilities in segments such as dyes and agrochemicals. However, despite this strength, India’s global market share stands at just 3%.

To bridge this gap, the government has allocated ₹3,300 crore to establish three dedicated, world-class chemical parks. These parks will feature plug-and-play utilities, advanced effluent treatment systems, integrated logistics infrastructure, and built-in safety mechanisms. Importantly, the parks are expected to reduce production costs by 20–40% through industrial symbiosis while promoting a circular economy by design. The Minister outlined an ambitious target to increase India’s global chemical sector share to 5–6% by 2030 and achieve a $1 trillion turnover by 2040.

Collaborative Growth for Budget 2026–27 Goals

Emphasising collective ownership, Nadda stated that sustained economic growth requires shared responsibility among policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, and state governments. He described the post-Budget webinar as a practical demonstration of coordinated efforts across sectors. Progress, he stressed, cannot happen in silos. Instead, deeper collaboration between ministries, states, and industry will be essential to realise the announcements made in Budget 2026–27. As reported by projectsmonitor.com, the webinar—second in the post-Budget series—brought together policymakers, industry stakeholders, and domain experts to deliberate on accelerating India’s growth trajectory and ensuring effective implementation of key reforms.

Grundfos, a global player in energy-efficient water solutions, has launched the Grundfos Intelligent Experience Centre (GIEC) in Chennai, India. The new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. It also reflects its focus on customer-centric transformation across the entire water ecosystem. With this launch, Grundfos strengthens its presence in India while advancing intelligent, technology-enabled water management solutions.

Bringing the Complete Water Journey to Life

Designed as an immersive, state-of-the-art demonstration hub, GIEC showcases the complete journey of water—from intake and treatment to distribution, industrial processing, cooling, wastewater transfer, and reuse. At the Centre, visitors can experience how Grundfos’ advanced pumps, digital platforms, smart controllers, and monitoring technologies enhance operational efficiency, improve system resilience, and deliver measurable sustainability outcomes. The facility demonstrates real-world applications across industries, commercial buildings, residential complexes, utilities, and infrastructure projects. As a result, customers gain practical insights into how intelligent water solutions can optimise performance while reducing energy and water consumption.

A Strategic Hub for Customer Engagement and Knowledge Exchange

Beyond being a demonstration space, GIEC serves as a strategic engagement platform for India and the wider region. The Centre supports live demonstrations, application optimisation, solution mapping, and industry-wide knowledge exchange. By simulating real-world water flows across industry, commercial buildings, domestic buildings, and water utilities, the Centre enables stakeholders to see how intelligent systems work in practice. It demonstrates how these systems improve reliability, cost efficiency, and operational excellence. Moreover, visitors can explore a comprehensive portfolio of sustainable water solutions tailored to diverse operational needs. This hands-on experience empowers them to reduce their water and energy footprint while enhancing long-term system performance.

Supporting India’s Water and Sustainability Transition

Usha Subramaniam, Country President – India, Grundfos, said, “When innovation, sustainable design, and digital management converge, the impact is significant and meaningful. This approach is at the core of Grundfos’ business, and through our Grundfos Intelligent Experience Centre (GIEC) at Chennai, we will be able to demonstrate our ability to play a defining role in India’s transition towards smarter and more resilient water systems.”

Driving Circularity, Decarbonisation and Digitalisation

As India accelerates industrial growth and infrastructure development, the need for circularity, decarbonisation, water efficiency, and digitalisation continues to rise. GIEC directly supports this transition by promoting intelligent, adaptive pumping solutions that help industries achieve more with fewer resources. Through collaboration and technology integration, the Centre enables businesses to reduce water waste, lower energy consumption, and ensure long-term system reliability. As per the press release, with the launch of GIEC in Chennai, Grundfos reinforces its commitment to shaping a smarter and more sustainable water future. This initiative will support India and markets beyond.

BASF significantly expanded its dispersion production capacity at its Durban site in South Africa, reinforcing its ability to supply high-quality dispersions to customers across the region. The expansion strengthens supply reliability for industries such as architectural coatings, construction materials, and paper manufacturing, while enabling BASF to better support customers’ growth plans. By increasing output, BASF ensures consistent product availability and faster responsiveness to market demand across East, West, and Southern Africa.

New Application Laboratory Enhances Technical Support

In addition to boosting production capacity, BASF has established a modern application laboratory at the Durban site. This facility enhances the company’s technical service capabilities and allows closer collaboration with customers. As a result, BASF can now provide stronger formulation support, accelerate product development, and deliver tailored solutions that meet local market requirements. The on-site lab further strengthens the company’s customer-centric approach in the African region.

Strengthening BASF’s EMEA Dispersions Network

The Durban facility is one of six dispersion production sites within BASF’s EMEA network (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Together with manufacturing facilities across Europe and the Middle East, the site ensures proximity to customers, reliable supply chains, and faster response times to regional needs. Furthermore, BASF recently expanded capacity in Dilovasi, Türkiye, and modernized its Ludwigshafen plant in Germany. These coordinated investments enhance BASF’s overall production footprint and reinforce its position as a leading dispersions supplier across EMEA.

Dr. Jörg Niebergall, Senior Vice President, Dispersions Europe, stated, “Our investment in Durban underscores our strong commitment to the dynamic African region and our local customers. Together with the recent capacity expansion in Dilovasi, Türkiye, and the modernization of the Ludwigshafen plant, we are strengthening our position as a leading supplier of high-quality dispersions across EMEA, enhancing our capability to support our customers’ growth and innovations.”

Modernized Production and Advanced Reactor Technology

To support the capacity increase, BASF modernized its production facilities and installed a
cutting-edge reactor at the Durban plant. These upgrades improve operational efficiency, product consistency, and overall quality standards. Ruveshen Reddy, responsible for the Durban production site, said, “This expansion in Durban will increase our supply reliability and ensure excellent product quality. To achieve this, we modernized our production facilities and installed a cutting-edge reactor.”

60 Years of BASF in South Africa

In 2026, BASF celebrates 60 years of operations in South Africa. Notably, the company remains the only multinational operating a dedicated dispersions production facility in the country. This milestone highlights BASF’s long-term commitment to regional market development, local partnerships, and customer support. As per the press release, with expanded capacity, advanced technical capabilities, and a strong regional presence, BASF continues to strengthen its role in Africa’s growing coatings, construction, and paper industries.

Topsoe announced a key leadership transition, confirming that Roeland Baan will step down as President and CEO on 5 March 2026, earlier than initially planned. Following this decision, the Board of Directors has appointed Elena Scaltritti as the new President and CEO, effective 5 March 2026. The transition follows a strong 2025 annual performance and a carefully managed succession plan, ensuring leadership continuity at the global energy transition technology company.

Transition Accelerated After Strong 2025 Results

Originally scheduled for 31 May 2026, the leadership change will now take place nearly three months earlier. After delivering a satisfactory 2025 annual result and ensuring a smooth handover process, Roeland Baan proposed to the Board that he step down on 5 March 2026. The Board accepted his request, citing alignment across leadership and stakeholders.The accelerated transition reflects strong strategic cohesion between the Board of Directors, company owners, senior management, and the broader organization.

Roeland Baan Reflects on Strategic Alignment

Roeland Baan emphasized, “The alignment on the strategic direction and planning between the Board of Directors, our owners, senior management and the wider organization is clear and decisive, making it possible to execute the transition faster than planned. This makes me proud and is a testimony to the strong purpose, direction and leadership we have fostered in the organization. I can’t wait to follow Topsoe’s progression under Elena’s leadership.” Under Baan’s six-year tenure, Topsoe strengthened its strategic positioning and accelerated its transformation, particularly in advancing energy transition technologies.

Elena Scaltritti Assumes Leadership

Elena Scaltritti will officially assume the role of President and CEO on 5 March 2026. She acknowledged Baan’s leadership and the collaborative effort behind the transition and mentioned, “Roeland has brought a bold vision and a relentless drive for fast execution to Topsoe. These past months, since Roeland decided to step down, we’ve seen everyone rally around a shared goal of making the transition smooth. I’m highly appreciative of Roeland’s efforts and our collaboration in this process. It has allowed us to stay focused on realizing our ambitious plans for 2026 in partnership with our customers.” Her appointment signals continuity in strategy while positioning Topsoe for its next phase of growth and innovation.

Board Expresses Appreciation

The Board of Directors extended its deep appreciation to Roeland Baan for his leadership and significant contribution to Topsoe’s transformation over the past six years. As per the press release, as Topsoe enters this new chapter, the company remains focused on executing its 2026 strategic priorities and strengthening partnerships with customers worldwide.

A University of Limerick (UL) academic will lead a groundbreaking project under the new Research Ireland – Gas Networks Ireland Innovation Challenge. The initiative, worth €2.6 million, supports five research teams across Ireland to advance renewable gas production, energy-system integration, and intelligent gas-network technologies. The goal is to accelerate practical, scalable solutions that address Ireland’s clean-energy needs through strong collaboration between academia and industry.

Introducing the BIOGRID Project

Among the funded initiatives, BIOGRID will be led by Professor Vivek Ranade of UL’s Department of Chemical Sciences and the Bernal Institute, with Dr Recep Dereli from University College Dublin as a collaborator. This ambitious project focuses on converting Ireland’s biogenic waste into grid-compliant biomethane by combining anaerobic digestion with ex-situ biomethanation powered by renewable hydrogen.

Tackling Key Energy Challenges

By targeting biogenic waste streams—including agricultural residues, food-processing sludges, and surplus silage—BIOGRID aims to unlock untapped biomethane potential. Consequently, the project addresses crucial challenges in Ireland’s clean-energy transition, such as:

• Meeting national biomethane production targets
• Maximizing the use of surplus renewable electricity
• Delivering clean, local energy solutions to rural and agricultural communities

Collaboration and Real-World Impact

Professor Ranade emphasized the significance of the project, stating that it enables Ireland to harness biogenic resources sustainably, reduce emissions, and strengthen energy security. As per UL.ie news, the Innovation Challenge emphasizes close, ongoing collaboration with Gas Networks Ireland. Each team will work with a dedicated industry liaison to ensure that new technologies are developed, tested, and validated for real-world deployment.