Dangote Group signed a $350 million contract with engineering major Engineers India Limited (EIL) to significantly expand its flagship oil refinery and petrochemicals complex in Lagos. The move is expected to reshape Nigeria’s downstream energy landscape while sharply reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined fuels.

EIL to Lead Project and Construction Management

Under the agreement, EIL will act as project management consultant as well as engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) consultant for the expansion of the Dangote Refinery in the Lekki Free Zone. Notably, EIL had performed a similar role during the original construction phase, which began phased operations in 2023. The renewed partnership highlights continuity in execution and confidence in EIL’s technical and project delivery capabilities.

Refining Capacity to More Than Double

The expansion will increase the refinery’s processing capacity from 6,50,000 barrels per day to around 1.4 million barrels per day, placing it among the largest single-location refinery complexes globally. As part of the project, Dangote will add a second refining train designed to produce Euro VI-grade fuels, including petrol, diesel and aviation turbine fuel. Although the Lagos facility already holds the distinction of being the world’s largest single-train refinery, the new addition will further enhance its global standing.

From Fuel Imports to Domestic Production

Since early 2024, the refinery has progressively begun producing diesel and jet fuel, followed by petrol. This marks a major shift for Nigeria, which has historically depended on fuel imports despite being Africa’s largest crude oil producer. As domestic refining capacity rises, the country is expected to reduce import bills, ease foreign exchange pressures, and improve energy self-sufficiency.

Major Petrochemicals Expansion Planned

Beyond refining, the agreement also covers a substantial expansion of Dangote’s petrochemicals operations. The group plans to raise polypropylene capacity from 830,000 tonnes per annum to 2.4 million tons per annum by revamping its existing unit and installing a new large-scale polypropylene plant. To support this expansion, Dangote will add a 750,000-tonne-per-year UOP Oleflex unit, significantly boosting propylene feedstock availability.

EIL Brings Global Engineering Expertise

Engineers India Limited, which operates under India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said the contract reinforces global confidence in its ability to execute projects of exceptional scale and technical complexity. EIL provides engineering, consultancy and project management services across refining, petrochemicals, fertilisers, infrastructure and energy sectors worldwide. The Dangote Group spent around $19 billion on its refinery and petrochemicals complex, making it one of Africa’s most capital-intensive industrial projects.

Building Skills and Industrial Capability

In preparation for the refinery’s commissioning and operations, Dangote Group previously trained more than 150 engineers in India. This focus on skills development has helped strengthen local operational capability and ensure smooth ramp-up of complex facilities. As reported by africabusinessinsight.com, analysts believe the expansion will further strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base, cut dependence on imported fuels, and position the country as a regional hub for refined petroleum products and petrochemicals across West and Central Africa.

Linde India signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for projects in Odisha, reinforcing the State’s push to accelerate manufacturing, port-led development, and large-scale industrial expansion. Through these collaborations, Linde India is expected to support gas supply requirements for steel and other industrial projects, including those involving Tata Steel, while also participating in emerging green energy initiatives such as green hydrogen. Together, these initiatives align closely with Odisha’s ambition to position itself as a leading industrial and manufacturing hub in eastern India.

Major MoU Signings Highlight Strong Investor Confidence

During Odisha’s Investors’ Meet Roadshow at ITC Sonar in Kolkata, the State government signed 27 MoUs with a total investment potential of ₹81,864 crore. In addition, Odisha received 19 investment intent proposals amounting to ₹18,453 crore, underscoring robust investor interest across sectors. These commitments reflect growing confidence in Odisha’s industrial ecosystem, infrastructure readiness, and policy framework.

Odisha’s Shift Toward Advanced Manufacturing

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted Odisha’s ongoing transformation from a resource-driven economy to a value-added, advanced manufacturing hub. He emphasised that the State’s development strategy is anchored in speed, scale, and sustainability. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of collaboration and integrated value chains under the Purvodaya vision, calling on industry leaders to expand operations in Odisha and strengthen the eastern industrial corridor.

Roadshow Drives Tangible Outcomes Across Sectors

The Kolkata roadshow featured more than 130 high-level one-on-one meetings and four sector-specific roundtables. These engagements brought together companies from textiles, metals, plastics, chemicals, packaging, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology, translating policy dialogue into concrete investment commitments.

Key outcomes included:

*27 MoUs signed: ₹81,864 crore investment potential; 63,161 jobs

*19 investment proposals received: ₹18,453 crore investment potential; 27,591 jobs

Odisha Reinforces Role in Purvodaya Vision

Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain reiterated Odisha’s strategic role in the Purvodaya initiative, positioning the State as a port-led, infrastructure-rich, and investor-friendly destination for eastern India. According to him, strong connectivity, industrial-ready land, and policy support continue to attract both domestic and global investors.

Enterprise Odisha 2026 to Build Momentum

INOX Air Products (INOXAP), one of India’s largest manufacturer of industrial and medical gases, has secured a significant contract from Tata Steel to set up two Air Separation Units (ASUs) at Tata Steel’s Meramandali plant in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district. The landmark order marks INOXAP’s first-ever collaboration with Tata Steel and aligns with the steel major’s ongoing capacity expansion plans.

Large-Capacity ASUs to Support Steel Expansion

Each of the two ASUs will have a capacity to produce 1,800 tons of oxygen per day, along with nitrogen and argon. In addition, the units will feature provisions for the production of rare gases, enhancing operational flexibility and long-term value for Tata Steel. Once commissioned, the facilities will play a critical role in supporting steelmaking operations at the Meramandali plant.

₹1,300 Crore Investment Marks INOXAP’s Largest Greenfield Project

INOXAP will invest approximately ₹1,300 crore to execute the project, making it the single largest Greenfield investment in the company’s history. This investment underscores INOXAP’s confidence in the long-term growth of India’s steel sector and its commitment to large-scale, high-impact infrastructure development.

Strengthening Presence in Eastern India

At the same time, the project significantly strengthens INOXAP’s footprint in eastern India. By leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and advanced gas separation technologies, INOXAP aims to expand its regional presence while reinforcing its position as India’s leading industrial gases manufacturer. Moreover, the development consolidates INOXAP’s standing as a preferred on-site merchant gas supplier to large industrial customers.

Six Decades of Expertise in the Steel Industry

With over 60 years of experience serving the Indian steel industry, INOXAP brings deep operational expertise to the project. As an integrated industrial gas supplier, the company offers advanced application technologies across multiple steelmaking processes.

These include blast furnace enrichment, electric arc furnace oxygen lancing, and ladle furnace pre-heating using oxy-fuel burners. They also cover reheating furnace enrichment, argon oxygen decarburisation, oxy-fuel assisted melting, and molten metal blanketing in induction furnaces. INOXAP supports these applications through both on-site ASUs and bulk gas supplies from its 47 operating locations across the country.

Proven Operational Excellence and Safety Record

Finally, INOXAP’s dedicated approach to ASU operations has ensured high efficiency. Its successful localisation of global best practices enables consistently low downtime across facilities. As reported by steel-technology.com, INOXAP delivers exceptional operational reliability. Its best-in-class safety record, supported by a strong focus on maintaining critical spares, continues to set it apart in the industrial gases sector.

India’s chemical sector is grappling with a complex mix of structural and macroeconomic challenges, ranging from China’s chronic overcapacity to elevated crude oil prices and weak demand in key Western markets, according to a recent report by Nuvama. The report cautions that these overlapping pressures are constraining pricing power, squeezing margins, and delaying a sustained recovery for domestic chemical manufacturers.

China’s Overcapacity Continues to Distort Global Markets

One of the most significant structural risks for Indian chemical producers stems from China’s overwhelming dominance in global commodity chemical capacities. China commands a substantial share of worldwide capacity in products such as soda ash, caustic soda, phenol, PVC, polycarbonates, epoxy resins, TDI, phthalic anhydride, and acetic acid.

Despite subdued demand conditions, Chinese utilisation rates remain well below optimal levels. However, production continues largely unabated, keeping global prices under persistent pressure. Nuvama noted that state-backed Chinese companies often operate even at losses, distorting global supply-demand dynamics and capping any meaningful price recovery. “China’s chemical industry continues to operate with massive overcapacities across virtually all major commodity chemical chains,” the report stated, underscoring the long-term nature of this challenge.

High Crude Oil Prices Add Cost Pressures

At the same time, elevated crude oil and feedstock prices are emerging as another major concern for the sector. Higher crude prices directly inflate the cost of key feedstocks such as naphtha, benzene, propylene, and ethylene. As a result, energy-intensive downstream chemical value chains are particularly vulnerable during periods of sustained oil price volatility. This cost pressure further erodes margins at a time when pricing power remains weak due to global oversupply.

Currency Strength Erodes Export Competitiveness

In addition to cost challenges, the Nuvama report flagged USD-INR currency risk as a key headwind. A stronger Indian rupee against the US dollar reduces export realisations, especially for companies focused on bulk and mid-value chemical products.

Since Europe and the US account for a significant share of India’s chemical exports, currency appreciation can quickly negate India’s cost advantages. This impact becomes even more pronounced when global chemical prices are already under pressure.

Weak Western Demand Limits Volume Growth

Meanwhile, sluggish end-market demand in Western economies continues to weigh on volume growth. The report pointed to a prolonged slowdown across Europe and the US in sectors such as housing, consumer goods, FMCG, agrochemicals, automotive, and construction. Weak residential construction has dampened demand for products like PVC, caustic soda, and polycarbonates. At the same time, subdued agrochemical and pharmaceutical activity has reduced demand for intermediates and solvents, further hurting overall consumption.

Policy and Execution Gaps at Home Persist

Beyond global challenges, domestic policy and execution gaps remain a critical concern. Citing a NITI Aayog report, Nuvama highlighted delays in environmental clearances, weak enforcement of anti-dumping duties, and high logistics and energy costs as factors undermining India’s competitiveness. Without faster regulatory approvals and more supportive trade policies, the report warned that India risks missing the strategic opportunity created by Europe’s ongoing industrial decline.

Outlook Remains Cautious

Taken together, these structural, macroeconomic, and policy-related challenges suggest a cautious near- to medium-term outlook for India’s chemical sector. As reported by newkerala.com, according to Nuvama, meaningful improvement will depend not only on a recovery in global demand but also on stronger domestic policy execution and a more balanced global supply environment.

Altris, a Swedish sodium-ion battery developer, entered into a strategic partnership with Draslovka, a global leader in speciality chemicals, to establish Europe’s first industrial-scale sodium-ion cathode value chain. Through this collaboration, the two companies aim to accelerate commercialisation of sodium-ion battery technology while strengthening Europe’s control over critical battery materials.

Strategic Investment to Enable Rapid Scale-Up

Draslovka will make a €19.3 million in-kind strategic investment in Altris. The funding will support the conversion of an existing production line at Draslovka’s facility in Kolín, Czech Republic, for manufacturing Altris’ patented sodium-ion cathode active material (CAM). By repurposing existing infrastructure, the partners will achieve a faster time-to-market while maintaining a capital-efficient approach to scaling production.

Up to 350 Tons of Cathode Material Annually

Once fully ramped up, the Kolín production line will be capable of supplying up to 350 tonnes of sodium-ion CAM per year. This output represents a European-controlled supply equivalent to approximately 175 MWh of sodium-ion cell capacity. In addition, the agreement secures Altris long-term access to Draslovka’s licences, process expertise, and a jointly developed plant design. This access strengthens the technological foundation of the partnership.

Production Timeline Targets Late 2026

Progress on the project is advancing rapidly. The partners plan to begin production in late Q3 or early Q4 of 2026, marking a key milestone in Europe’s sodium-ion battery industrialisation efforts. At the same time, the collaboration lays the groundwork for future capacity expansion at the Kolín site as market demand grows.

Supporting Europe’s Shift Beyond Lithium

BatteryIndustry.net reports that the partnership comes as Europe steps up efforts to localise battery material supply chains. It also aims to reduce reliance on lithium-only technologies. By producing sodium-ion CAM domestically and preparing for larger-scale capacity, Altris and Draslovka aim to deliver a resilient, Western-based alternative to imported battery materials. The approach supports a more balanced and diversified European battery ecosystem while enhancing supply chain security.

Leadership Highlights Strategic Importance

Pavel Brůžek, CEO of Draslovka, described the partnership as a significant milestone in the company’s strategy. He said it reflects Draslovka’s commitment to leveraging its world-class chemistry expertise and sustainable technology capabilities. The goal is to deliver high-quality sodium-ion solutions within a fully connected European value chain.

Christer Bergquist, CEO of Altris, emphasised that the alliance demonstrates Europe’s readiness to industrialise sodium-ion technology domestically. According to him, Altris is focused on building a European sodium-ion value chain with leading industrial partners. The company aims to deliver world-class cathode materials that strengthen the resilience of Europe’s battery supply.

Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and the CSIR–Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at HCL’s Corporate Office in Kolkata. Through this partnership, the two organisations aim to accelerate the recovery of copper and other critical minerals, thereby strengthening India’s long-term mineral security and supporting industrial development.

Collaborative R&D to Fast-Track Mineral Recovery

Under the MoU, HCL and CSIR-IMMT will adopt a collaborative approach that leverages their respective strengths, technical expertise and research capabilities. Together, they will focus on advancing research and development in copper and critical mineral recovery. The initiative aims to enable more efficient extraction processes and improve sustainability across mining and metallurgical operations.

Enhancing Sustainability and Self-Reliance

At the same time, the collaboration seeks to enhance India’s self-reliance in critical raw materials. These materials are essential for infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology-driven industries. By optimising resource utilisation and improving recovery rates, the partnership supports more sustainable mining practices and reduced dependence on external sources.

Strengthening India’s Strategic Mineral Framework

Importantly, this initiative marks a significant step toward reinforcing India’s strategic mineral framework. The MoU improves recovery processes for copper and other critical minerals. It aligns closely with national priorities on sustainable mining, resource optimisation, and industrial growth.

Driving Innovation and Operational Efficiency

As reported by indianmasterminds.com, the collaboration goes beyond resource security. It is expected to foster innovation in metallurgical techniques and promote research-led solutions. In turn, these advances will help enhance HCL’s operational efficiency and competitiveness. Overall, the partnership supports India’s broader goals of industrial expansion and technological advancement. It also helps build a resilient and sustainable mineral ecosystem.

In a significant boost to India’s petrochemical infrastructure, GAIL (India) Limited successfully received its first-ever shipment of paraxylene (PX) at Mangalore Port. The landmark delivery secures a steady supply of a critical feedstock and enhances the operational efficiency of GAIL’s downstream petrochemical facilities.

Seamless Coordination Across GAIL Divisions

The smooth arrival, berthing and offloading of the paraxylene cargo were achieved through close coordination among multiple GAIL teams. The International Gas Sourcing division secured the shipment through global trade channels, while Southern Region teams efficiently managed port operations and logistics at Mangalore. At the same time, GAIL Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited (GMPL) ensured full technical readiness to integrate the feedstock into production without disruption.

Ensuring Safe and Timely Handling of a Critical Feedstock

Through the collaborative effort, GAIL ensured the safe and timely handling of paraxylene, a key raw material used in the manufacture of polyester fibres and PET plastic bottles. As a result, the company has strengthened supply reliability for its petrochemical value chain.

Enhancing Feedstock Security and Production Efficiency

The arrival of paraxylene at Mangalore delivers multiple operational benefits. It reduces dependence on fragmented supply chains, thereby improving feedstock security and ensuring uninterrupted production. In addition, it supports higher production efficiency and operational stability at GMPL and associated downstream units.

Supporting ‘Make in India’ and Domestic Manufacturing

Moreover, the milestone aligns with the Government of India’s “Make in India” initiative. By enabling the domestic production of essential petrochemical intermediates, GAIL is contributing to the growth of India’s textile and packaging sectors and strengthening self-reliance in critical materials.

Laying the Foundation for Future Growth

As reported by indianmasterminds.com, overall, the successful shipment sets the stage for future expansion in India’s petrochemical industry. It also highlights GAIL’s capability to execute complex international logistics operations while ensuring seamless integration with domestic manufacturing facilities.

Waaree Renewable Technologies Ltd (WRTL), which currently derives a significant share of its revenue from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts, is actively working to broaden its revenue mix by adding battery energy storage system (BESS) EPC projects. While solar EPC will continue to anchor growth, the company sees storage as a key driver of future expansion.

Focus on BESS EPC, Including Data Centres

At present, WRTL operates across three revenue streams—EPC, operations and maintenance (O&M), and its own independent power producer (IPP) generation portfolio. Going forward, however, the company plans to aggressively pursue BESS EPC opportunities, including projects linked to data centres. According to Chief Financial Officer Manmohan Sharma, the company is already executing one BESS EPC order during the current year, marking a concrete step into this emerging segment.

Strong Order Book Supports Near-Term Growth

Waaree Renewable’s growth outlook over the next 12 to 15 months remains robust, supported by a healthy executable order book of 2.9 GW. The majority of this backlog comes from private sector customers, providing visibility and execution confidence. Of the total order book, around 22 per cent in value terms is linked to government projects, while the remaining share is driven by private clients, Sharma noted.

Rising Demand for Hybrid Solar-Storage Solutions

As grid operators and consumers increasingly seek round-the-clock power and improved grid stability, battery energy storage is becoming a critical add-on to solar projects. In response, Waaree is witnessing growing customer interest in hybrid solar-plus-storage solutions. Building on its existing EPC revenues, the company is evaluating a wide range of BESS EPC opportunities to capitalise on this trend.

Early Wins and Expansion Opportunities in Storage

Notably, Waaree Renewable has already secured a 90 MWh battery energy storage system order, giving it an early foothold in the segment. In addition, the company is seeing rising demand to retrofit storage systems at existing solar power plants, typically with one- to two-hour storage capacity. This trend is expected to further expand Waaree’s presence in the BESS EPC space.

Large Project Pipeline with Storage Components

As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, Beyond its confirmed order book, Waaree Renewable is tracking a substantial pipeline of potential projects. The company is currently following up on around 29 GW of prospective opportunities, including 5–6 GW of tenders, several of which include battery energy storage components. Taken together, these developments underline Waaree Renewable’s strategy to position battery energy storage as a key growth pillar alongside its core solar EPC business.

Alpex Solar bagged a ₹215.2 crore commercial order from a domestic industry player for the supply of high-efficiency solar modules. Alpex Solar announced on Friday that it will execute the contract over six months, delivering advanced photovoltaic modules for large-scale solar projects across India.

Confidence in Manufacturing and Execution Capabilities

Ashwani Sehgal, Managing Director of Alpex Solar, said the order represents a key milestone for the company. He noted that the win reflects growing confidence among large industry players in Alpex Solar’s manufacturing strength, product quality and execution capabilities. At the same time, he emphasised that the order reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting India’s clean energy transition through reliable, scalable solar solutions.

Momentum Builds in Domestic Market Strategy

Moreover, the latest contract adds further momentum to Alpex Solar’s expanding order book. It aligns closely with the company’s strategy to scale up manufacturing capacity. It also strengthens engagement with domestic customers across utility-scale and commercial solar projects.

Capacity Expansion Across Multiple Locations

To support rising demand, Alpex Solar is accelerating its capacity expansion plans. The company is setting up five new manufacturing units across Greater Noida and Kosi-Kotwan in Uttar Pradesh, as well as additional locations in Madhya Pradesh. Notably, construction at the Kosi-Kotwan facility has been fast-tracked. This is part of the company’s solar cell and module capacity expansion programme.

Integrated Solar Manufacturing Portfolio

As reported by etenergyworld.com, currently, Alpex Solar operates manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Through these operations, the company offers an integrated portfolio that includes solar PV modules, solar cells, EPC solutions, solar pumps and aluminium frames. Together, these capabilities position Alpex Solar to play a growing role in India’s rapidly expanding solar energy ecosystem.

Coal India is actively exploring partnership opportunities in rare-earth mining across Australia, Russia, Argentina, Chile and several African nations, as India moves to reduce its dependence on China-dominated supply chains. The initiative is being led by Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL), Coal India’s coking coal–focused subsidiary, according to its Chairman and Managing Director, Manoj Kumar Agarwal.

China’s Export Curbs Accelerate Diversification Push

The strategy gains urgency following China’s expansion of export restrictions on rare-earth minerals late last year. These curbs have raised concerns across critical downstream sectors, including automobiles, electronics and clean energy, which rely heavily on rare-earth supplies. Against this backdrop, Agarwal said the company is at an early stage of investing, exploring and collaborating with domestic and international partners to secure access to rare-earth metals.

Collaboration with Indian Public Sector Enterprises

As reported by miningweekly.com, in addition to overseas assets, Coal India is pursuing domestic opportunities. BCCL plans to collaborate with state-run enterprises such as IREL (India) Ltd, Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL) and Hindustan Copper Ltd. Through these partnerships, the company aims to build a diversified and resilient rare-earth supply base aligned with India’s strategic mineral objectives.