Technip Energies bagged two major contracts from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for strategic refinery expansion projects at Bina in Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai in Maharashtra. Together, the projects will significantly strengthen India’s downstream energy and petrochemical infrastructure.

New Polypropylene and Butene-1 Units at Bina

Under the first contract, Technip Energies will execute the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) of new polypropylene and butene-1 units at BPCL’s Bina refinery. Once commissioned, the facilities will produce 550 kilo tons per annum (KTPA) of polypropylene and 50 KTPA of Butene-1, key feedstocks for industries such as packaging, pipes and automotive components.

Part of Bina Petrochemical Expansion Programme

The project forms part of BPCL’s broader Bina Petrochemical and Refinery Expansion initiative. In addition to capacity augmentation, the programme includes the development of a new petrochemical cracker complex, reinforcing the refinery’s ability to meet growing domestic and international demand for petrochemical products.

India’s First PRFCC Unit at Mumbai Refinery

Under the second contract, Technip Energies will provide engineering, procurement and construction management (EPsCm) services for a three million tons per annum (MMTPA) Petro Resid Fluidized Catalytic Cracker (PRFCC) unit at BPCL’s Mumbai refinery. Notably, this facility will be India’s first PRFCC unit, designed to convert heavy refinery residues into lighter, higher-value products such as gasoline and diesel, thereby improving refinery flexibility and economics.

Auxiliary Facilities to Boost Yield Efficiency

As reported by indianmasterminds.com, in addition to the core PRFCC unit, the project scope includes auxiliary units, offsite facilities and utilities required for smooth and efficient operations. As a result, the project is expected to significantly enhance product yield efficiency while supporting BPCL’s downstream expansion strategy. Both projects align with India’s energy transition and sustainability objectives, enabling cleaner processing, higher-value outputs and more efficient use of refinery feedstocks.

Reaffirming Commitments

Davendra Kumar, Managing Director, Technip Energies India, said the projects underscore BPCL’s confidence in the company’s capabilities. “These awards reflect BPCL’s confidence in our engineering capabilities and reaffirm our commitment to India’s energy security, economic growth and sustainable industrial development,” Kumar said.

Hindustan Zinc Limited and Silox India strengthened their partnership, with Silox India adopting EcoZen, Hindustan Zinc’s low-carbon zinc brand, across its manufacturing operations. The move marks a significant step toward lowering emissions within India’s industrial supply chains.

EcoZen Integration to Cut Embedded Emissions

Through the collaboration, Silox India will integrate EcoZen into its production processes to reduce the embedded carbon footprint of its zinc-based chemical products. As a result, the partnership advances the adoption of low-carbon manufacturing practices while maintaining product performance and reliability.

Asia’s First Low-Carbon Zinc

Hindustan Zinc produces EcoZen, Asia’s first low-carbon zinc, entirely using renewable energy. It carries a verified carbon footprint of less than one tonne of CO₂ per tonne of zinc, which is nearly 75 per cent lower than the global industry average. Moreover, the product offers full traceability and third-party verification, enabling customers to transparently account for and report environmental impact across their value chains.

Lower Emissions in Galvanising Applications

In galvanising applications, the use of EcoZen can help avoid approximately 400 kg of CO₂ emissions per tonne of steel when compared with conventional zinc, according to the companies. Consequently, EcoZen offers both environmental and operational advantages for downstream industries.

Leadership Highlights Decarbonisation Strategy

Arun Misra, Chief Executive Officer and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Decarbonisation at Hindustan Zinc is not limited to how we operate but also to how our products are used across industries. By partnering with customers like Silox India, we are enabling the wider adoption of low-carbon solutions at scale”.

Silox India Aligns Sustainability Goals

Prakash Raman, Managing Director of Silox added, “Integrating EcoZen into our manufacturing processes allows us to lower embedded emissions across our product portfolio, while continuing to deliver high-performance solutions to our customers”. Autocarpro.in reports that third-party verified life-cycle assessments, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and ISO and REACH certifications support EcoZen, reinforcing its credibility as a low-carbon material for industrial applications.

India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 will be held in Goa from 27–30 January 2026, bringing together energy ministers, global CEOs, policymakers, financial institutions, academia and technology providers at a pivotal moment for the global energy sector. As the first major international energy event of the year, IEW 2026 will set the tone for discussions on energy security, investment flows and the global transition to cleaner energy systems.

Focus on Energy Security and Decarbonisation

IEW 2026 will focus on strengthening energy security, catalysing investments and advancing practical, scalable pathways for decarbonisation. At a time when global energy systems face rising demand, geopolitical uncertainty and accelerating climate commitments, the event will serve as a key platform for dialogue and cooperation. Building on the momentum of previous editions, IEW 2026 will attract participants from more than 120 countries, reinforcing its position as a leading global energy dialogue platform.

Hosted Under Government Patronage

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will patronise India Energy Week 2026, while the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI) and dmg events will jointly organise it. The platform provides a neutral and globally connected forum for cooperation on energy security, affordability and sustainability. Delegates from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region are expected to attend, highlighting IEW’s growing role in global energy diplomacy.

India’s Growing Role in Global Energy Demand

The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2025 projects that India will account for over 23% of global incremental energy demand by 2050, the highest of any country. Against this backdrop, IEW 2026 will bring policymakers and industry leaders together to deliberate on building resilient energy systems while accelerating the clean energy transition.

Spotlight on India’s Reform-Led Energy Model

The event will also highlight India’s reform-driven energy framework, which seeks to balance economic growth, climate responsibility and consumer protection. Landmark legislative and regulatory reforms under the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 2025, and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, have strengthened the upstream ecosystem. These reforms introduce single petroleum leases covering exploration, production, decarbonisation and integrated energy projects, time-bound approvals within 180 days, and long-term lease stability of up to 30 years, extendable to the economic life of a field. The authorities have implemented infrastructure sharing and investor risk-mitigation mechanisms, including arbitration and compensation safeguards.

Biofuels and Low-Carbon Technologies in Focus

India’s ethanol blending programme has emerged as a global benchmark, delivering significant economic and environmental outcomes. Since 2014, the programme has generated foreign exchange savings of ₹1.59 lakh crore, reduced 813 lakh metric tons of CO₂ emissions, and substituted 270 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. Oil marketing companies have paid ₹2.32 lakh crore to ethanol distillers, while ₹1.39 lakh crore has been paid directly to farmers. Consequently, biofuels, green hydrogen, sustainable fuels and emerging low-carbon technologies will feature prominently in discussions at IEW 2026.

Four Days of High-Level Dialogue and Innovation

During four days, ministers, CEOs, and industry leaders will engage in roundtables, dialogues, public-private interactions, technology showcases, exhibitions, social events, and media engagements at IEW 2026. Dedicated sessions will focus on hydrogen economies, green finance, sustainable fuels, circularity, digital transformation and workforce development. The expanded exhibition will host hundreds of companies across the energy value chain. It will feature extensive international participation and dedicated country pavilions.

India’s Flagship Global Energy Platform

As reported by edexlive.com, India Energy Week remains the country’s flagship global energy platform. It brings together governments, industry leaders, and innovators to advance a secure, sustainable, and affordable energy future. As a neutral international forum, it continues to promote investment, policy alignment and technological collaboration.

IDE Technologies has signed a contract with the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited (SIPCOT) to design, construct and operate a new seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant. The 60 million litres per day (MLD) seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination facility will be established at Mullakadu in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu. It aims to strengthen regional water management and address the region’s growing water scarcity challenges. Once operational, the plant will play a critical role in ensuring a reliable supply of potable water for industrial and municipal use.

Consortium Approach for Project Execution

To deliver the project, IDE Technologies has partnered with Jindal Water Infrastructure Limited (JWIL) and Vishnusurya Projects and Infra (VPIL). Together, the consortium will combine global desalination expertise with local infrastructure capabilities to execute the project efficiently and at scale.

IDE Reaffirms Commitment to Water Security

Nayan Shah, Director, Sales & Marketing, IDE India, “Solving water challenges for regions in need is at the core of IDE’s mission to make clean, high-quality water accessible to anyone, anywhere,” Shah said. “We look forward to working alongside our industry partners, JWIL and VPIL, to deliver a state-of-the-art SWRO desalination plant in Tamil Nadu and further expand our global footprint in the region.”

Advanced SWRO Technology at the Core

Seawater reverse osmosis desalination works by applying pressure greater than the natural osmotic pressure to force seawater through semi-permeable membranes. This process separates dissolved salts from the feedwater, producing potable water while generating a concentrated brine stream as a by-product. IDE designs its SWRO plants to deliver some of the lowest lifecycle water costs in the industry. The plants use energy-efficient designs and proven operational performance.

Project Awarded Under PPP Framework

IDE secured the SIPCOT desalination project in a competitive bidding process involving two other contenders. The company will execute the contract under a Hybrid Annual Model within a Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework. As reported by filtsep.com, the scope of work includes the end-to-end design and construction of the desalination facility. After commissioning, IDE will carry out fifteen years of operation and maintenance (O&M), ensuring long-term performance and reliability.

The government’s decision to relax the mandatory three-year waiting period for recognising deep-tech start-ups under its schemes reflects an understanding that deep-tech ventures operate on fundamentally different timelines compared with consumer tech start-ups, stakeholders said.

The Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) has removed the three-year existence requirement under its Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme (IRDPP). Deep-tech investors and entrepreneurs see this move as a signal that the government is ready to support early-stage R&D and help transform pioneering research into viable businesses.

Addressing Capital-Intensive Needs of Deep Tech

Deep-tech companies are capital-intensive and research-heavy, often remaining pre-revenue far longer than start-ups in other sectors. While government funding through grants and loans has existed, the previous three-year eligibility condition restricted access to early-stage support.

“Deep-tech innovation does not follow a linear, calendar-driven path,” said Vishesh Rajaram, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Speciale Invest. “This move will accelerate lab-to-market journeys, allow founders to validate breakthrough technologies earlier, and crowd in private capital with confidence. It is a pragmatic reform that strengthens India’s ambition to build globally competitive deep-tech companies from day zero.” The policy also provides early access to non-dilutive capital and strengthens founder credibility in the eyes of investors.

Government Backing and Incentives

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh described the relaxation as a step to accelerate and sustain new deep-tech start-ups, while maintaining evaluation standards based on technological maturity.

Under DSIR’s IRDPP, recognised start-ups can access:

*Grants of up to ₹1 crore

*Fiscal and tax-related incentives

*Duty-free import of specified R&D equipment and instruments

Many other government R&D programmes—including DST, DBT, CSIR, TDB, BIRAC, and sectoral initiatives—require or prefer DSIR recognition to qualify. To date, around 865 start-ups have been recognised under IRDPP.

Impact on Hardware-Intensive and Research Startups

Natarajan Malupillai, Group CEO at IITM Research Park, highlighted that early DSIR recognition reduces upfront capital expenditure, facilitates customs duty exemptions for R&D imports, and lowers iGST rates. This, he said, accelerates prototyping and pilot deployments for hardware-intensive ventures.

Entrepreneurs in long gestation fields, such as chip design, welcome the change. Shashwath TR, co-founder and CEO of Mindgrove Technologies, explained that chip ventures typically require 3–5 years from architecture design to production-ready silicon, with substantial upfront investment for prototyping, simulation tools, and IP licensing. Removing the three-year norm allows such start-ups to access critical early-stage support.

Talent Retention and Workforce Development

The policy may also help retain quality talent in India. Amit Chand, Founder & Managing Partner, BYT Capital, noted that upfront loan support allows founders to design proper compensation for top PhDs and engineers, reducing reliance on sweat equity or goodwill. This strengthens India’s domestic deep-tech ecosystem and reduces talent migration to global tech hubs.

Recommendations for Further Support

Entrepreneurs advocate for additional measures to complement DSIR’s relaxation:

*Establish shared testing and production infrastructure to reduce redundant capital expenditure

*Introduce milestone-based funding mechanisms tied to technical achievements

*Streamline regulatory approvals for technology demonstrations

As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, Moin SPM, Co-founder & COO of Agnikul Cosmos, emphasized that such initiatives would further accelerate innovation cycles and enhance the global competitiveness of India’s deep-tech start-ups.

Saint-Gobain has strengthened its presence in Indonesia’s construction chemicals market by forming a joint venture (JV) with a subsidiary of Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa, a publicly traded Indonesian cement company 53% owned by Heidelberg Materials. The JV will acquire Indocement’s mortars business, with Saint-Gobain holding 60% and Indocement 40% of the new entity.

Acquisition of a Leading Mortars Brand

Indocement’s mortars business, marketed under the Tiga Roda brand, is a well-established player in Indonesia with three production lines and estimated sales of nearly €20 million in 2025. Tiga Roda specializes in white skim coat for finishing, complementing Saint-Gobain’s existing mortars operations under Cipta Mortar Utama (CMU). This combination strengthens both product offerings and geographic reach, enhancing customer engagement across the country.

Leveraging Local Expertise and Scale

Saint-Gobain has operated in Indonesia since 1995, currently managing 14 production lines and employing around 1,300 people. CMU leads the local mortars market with 8 production lines, a broad product portfolio, and nearly 30,000 points of sale. The brand also benefits from Saint-Gobain’s broader construction chemicals presence, including GCP (concrete admixtures and cement additives) and FOSROC (cement additives, resin flooring, and technical mortars).

Strategic JV to Accelerate Growth

The newly formed JV will leverage the complementary strengths of Saint-Gobain’s CMU and Indocement’s market knowledge to accelerate growth in Indonesia’s promising mortars sector. By combining Saint-Gobain’s technical expertise with Indocement’s local cement manufacturing capabilities, the JV is well positioned for growth. It aims to expand market penetration and strengthen customer intimacy.

Alignment with Saint-Gobain’s Global Strategy

As per the press release, the acquisition aligns with Saint-Gobain’s “Lead & Grow” plan, reinforcing the Group’s strategy to strengthen its worldwide presence in construction chemicals. It enhances Saint-Gobain’s profile in the high-growth Indonesian market. It also underscores the company’s commitment to long-term growth through strategic partnerships and market consolidation.

Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) issued a call for bids to engage a consultant to assess the techno-commercial feasibility of green hydrogen and carbon capture projects across the Damodar Valley region, covering West Bengal and Jharkhand. The assignment spans four months and includes a series of key deliverables. The consultant will begin with a detailed work plan, followed by a comprehensive domestic and global market and ecosystem assessment.

Assessing Hydrogen Demand and Industrial Applications

A critical part of the study involves analyzing India’s hydrogen demand-supply dynamics and grey hydrogen consumption across major industrial clusters, including steel, fertilizers, and transport sectors. This analysis will inform the potential scale and design of green hydrogen projects in the region.

Technical Scoping and Project Design

The consultant will conduct technical scoping to define project concepts, including:

*Production capacity requirements

*Renewable energy integration

*Water usage planning

*Grid connectivity

*Technology selection for electrolysers and balance-of-plant systems

This phase aims to outline feasible project configurations aligned with local infrastructure and resource availability.

Workshops and Decarbonization Pathways

Structured workshops will identify key challenges, best practices, and pathways to achieve decarbonization. As reported by projectstoday.com, the final deliverable will focus on CO₂ capture and valorization through green hydrogen, exploring sustainable and commercially viable solutions. Interested parties must submit their bids by 31 January 2026.

A report by the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) says 2026 will mark a critical inflection point for India’s energy storage system (ESS) industry, as the sector shifts decisively from aggressive tendering to large-scale project execution. As of December 31, 2025, India has tendered a total of 224 GWh of ESS capacity, comprising 92 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS) and 132 GWh of pumped hydro storage. Of this, 95 GWh is under execution, 80 GWh remains in the tendering pipeline, while 47 GWh of tenders have been cancelled, reflecting the growing complexity of project delivery.

From Record Tendering to On-Ground Delivery

While 2025 witnessed unprecedented tendering activity, 2026 will test the industry’s ability to deliver. Last year alone saw 69 ESS tenders totalling 102 GWh, nearly matching the cumulative tendered capacity between 2018 and 2024. According to IESA, projects awarded since mid-2023 are now approaching commissioning timelines of 18–24 months, pushing 2026 into focus as the year when tendered capacity must translate into operational assets. “All eyes will remain on whether the performance of these projects is in line with what was committed,” said Debmalya Sen, President, IESA. “2026 will be the year when a number of projects enter the operational phase.”

Limited Operational Capacity Highlights Execution Gap

Despite the surge in tenders, operational capacity remains limited. As of 2025, only 0.7 GWh of BESS capacity was operational nationwide. However, IESA expects an additional 2 GWh to come online by December 2026, marking the early stages of scale-up. One of the most striking developments in 2025 was the sharp collapse in tariffs, which surprised even industry veterans. Standalone 2-hour BESS tariffs fell from ₹2.21 lakh/MW/month in early 2025 to ₹1.48 lakh/MW/month by year-end, as seen in APTRANSCO’s tender. Similarly, solar-plus-4-hour BESS tariffs dropped to ₹2.70–2.76/kWh, driven by the entry of over 50 new bidders, intensifying competition across the sector.

Financing Risks Cloud Ultra-Low Tariffs

However, aggressive pricing has raised persistent concerns around project bankability. “At present, only a few projects from the large pool of awarded tenders have secured financing,” Sen said. “Whether all projects will ultimately be delivered remains an open question.” Low tariffs, coupled with long payback periods and evolving battery costs, continue to test lender confidence.

Landmark Projects to Test Market Readiness

IESA identified March 2026 as a critical milestone, when Adani will commission one of the world’s largest single-location BESS projects—a 1,126 MW / 3,530 MWh facility in Gujarat. In parallel, January 2026 will see Rajasthan float tenders for India’s largest solar-plus-BESS project at Pugal Solar Park. Meanwhile, the commercial and industrial (C&I) segment is beginning to gain traction, following Juniper Green Energy’s 60 MWh merchant BESS installation commissioned in December 2025.

Policy Support Strengthens Sector Momentum

Government policy continues to play a crucial enabling role. The Centre rolled out the second tranche of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) worth ₹5,400 crore, supporting 30 GWh of standalone BESS, while mandating 20 per cent domestic value addition for VGF-backed projects. In addition, the government extended Interstate Transmission System (ISTS) charge waivers until 2028 for pumped storage and solar-plus-BESS projects. States also stepped up commitments, with Rajasthan mandating 5 per cent energy storage for renewable projects above 5 MW, and Bihar targeting 6.1 GWh of storage capacity by 2030.

Cost and Supply Chain Uncertainties Persist

Despite strong momentum, IESA flagged emerging risks. China’s tightening trade policies and export restrictions on key battery materials could disrupt supply chains and undermine the cost assumptions behind ultra-low tariffs.

Vinayak Walimbe, Managing Director, Customized Energy Solutions, said the transition from tendering to execution marks a watershed moment for the sector. “While tariff compression reflects market confidence, the real test lies in delivering projects at promised prices amid battery cost volatility and financing constraints,” he said.

As reported by pv-magazine-india.com, success in 2026, he added, will depend not only on competitive bidding but also on operational excellence, innovative financing models, and supply chain resilience—as India seeks to prove it can execute at scale what it has successfully tendered.

Chemfab Alkalis successfully commissioned the latest-generation INEOS Electrolyser after securing all requisite consents and approvals to operate the facility. The company has replaced its 30-year-old second-generation UHDE Electrolyser and associated equipment as part of a major technology upgrade aimed at improving efficiency and optimising operating costs.

Capacity Maintained, Efficiency Enhanced

While the consented production capacity remains unchanged at 180 tons per day, the new electrolyser is expected to significantly improve operating rates and ensure greater reliability. As a result, the company anticipates smoother operations and reduced downtime.

Power Savings to Accrue from FY26

In addition, Chemfab Alkalis expects meaningful power consumption savings from the fourth quarter of FY 2025–26, strengthening cost competitiveness in an energy-intensive business.

₹57 Crore Investment Funded Internally

The company has invested approximately ₹57 crore in the project, funding the entire capital expenditure through internal accruals, underlining its strong balance sheet and commitment to operational excellence. As reported by moneyworks4me.com, Chemfab Alkalis operates in the manufacture of basic inorganic chemicals, where energy efficiency and process reliability play a critical role in sustaining long-term profitability and growth.

Larsen & Toubro’s Hydrocarbon Onshore business vertical (L&T Onshore) reached a major milestone by achieving feed-in at the world’s first LC-Max Residue Upgradation Facility (RUF) at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (HPCL) Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh. The facility has a designed capacity of 3.55 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA).

Successful Commissioning Marks Key Industry Moment

L&T has successfully commissioned the project. The unit is now receiving actual feedstock—vacuum residue from the existing refinery—and producing high-value products. Senior representatives from HPCL, technology licensor CLG, and project management consultant Engineers India Limited (EIL) were present at the milestone event, underlining its significance for India’s refining and energy landscape.

Cornerstone of HPCL’s Refinery Modernisation Programme

Executed by L&T on an EPC turnkey basis, the RUF represents the most complex process unit within HPCL’s Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project. The initiative forms a critical part of the National Energy Self-Reliance Programme, aimed at maximising value extraction from the residue stream of domestic crude oil.

Advanced Technology Enhances Product Value and Compliance

The LC-Max RUF produces fuels that comply with stringent BS-VI emission norms, while significantly improving the value realised from crude oil refining. Notably, the facility integrates several first-of-its-kind technologies for Indian refineries, including ebullating pumps, Grayloc flanges, pressure let-down stations, and a dedicated pitch solidification and handling unit.

Leadership Perspective on the Milestone

Subramanian Sarma, Deputy Managing Director and President, L&T, said that the commissioning of the world’s first LC-Max RUF demonstrates L&T’s ability to deliver highly complex projects with innovation and precision. He added that the project reinforces the company’s leadership in safety, quality, and technological excellence.

Overcoming Complex Execution Challenges

Despite its success, the execution journey was far from straightforward. Critical construction phases coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The project also faced global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical challenges. Additionally, severe constructability constraints arose within the operating brownfield refinery, located in a compact urban site in Visakhapatnam.

Modular Construction and Off-site Fabrication Drive Efficiency

To address these challenges, L&T deployed advanced construction methodologies and maximised off-site fabrication. More than 50 per cent of the structural and piping scope was modularised into 135 plug-and-play modules. Some modules extended up to 35 metres in length and weighed between 100 and 700 metric tonnes. The modules were fabricated at L&T’s manufacturing facilities across India. These facilities are state-of-the-art.

Massive Construction Scale Sets New Benchmarks

As per the press release, the scale of construction was substantial, involving the installation of over 750 equipment items. It includes 230 over-dimensional consignments transported through Visakhapatnam. The project also required extensive piping and cabling works. Over 50 per cent of the civil construction, including all three substation buildings, was executed using precast technology. This marked a first for any refinery project in India.