India’s alkali industry stands at a critical inflection point. Rising domestic demand, large-scale capacity additions, and an increasing focus on sustainability and energy transition are reshaping the sector’s future. As market dynamics evolve, industry stakeholders must recalibrate strategies to stay competitive and resilient.

AMAI 2026 Conference Builds on Strong Legacy

Building on the success of previous editions, the AMAI Annual Alkali Industry Conference & Exhibition 2026 aims to serve as a premier platform for dialogue, collaboration, and strategic insight. The event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including global energy experts, safety professionals, technology licensors, equipment suppliers and vendors, Indian and international producers, logistics specialists, regulators, and sustainability leaders.

Two-Day Summit to Address Key Industry Challenges

Scheduled to be held over two days on February 11–12, the conference will focus on the economic, technological, and policy factors influencing the performance of India’s alkali industry. Through expert sessions and panel discussions, participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of both global and domestic market developments.

Key Focus Areas

The conference agenda will cover a wide range of critical topics, including:

*Economic trends shaping the Indian alkali industry

*Global and Indian outlook for chlor-alkali and soda ash markets

*Planned capacity expansions and evolving consumer industry dynamics

*Key cost drivers such as power, energy, logistics, and raw materials

*Salt policy framework, supply uncertainties, and risk mitigation strategies

*Advances in electrolysis technologies, membrane systems, and green chemistry

*Decarbonisation initiatives, safety practices, and emergency preparedness

*Strategic roadmap for the future of the Indian alkali industry

Platform for Strategy, Technology, and Collaboration

As per the press release, designed as a high-impact industry summit, the conference will help stakeholders evaluate shifting market conditions, assess emerging technology options, identify strategic growth opportunities, and strengthen industry-wide collaboration. Ultimately, the event seeks to support a more sustainable, efficient, and globally competitive Indian alkali industry.

At least 15 drugmakers have entered the race to tap an estimated ₹5,000 crore opportunity arising from the impending patent expiry of semaglutide. However, while the commercial potential is significant, experts caution that access to overseas markets will remain challenging due to stringent regulatory and intellectual property barriers.

According to a recent report by Systematix Group, the expiry of semaglutide patents across India, emerging markets (EM), and select regulated markets such as Canada and Brazil could unlock incremental revenues of over ₹50 billion for generic drugmakers over the next 12–15 months.

India and Emerging Markets Lead Near-Term Potential

The compound patent on semaglutide in India will expire in March 2026. Vishal Manchanda, Senior Vice-President (Institutional Research) at Systematix Group, said that the immediate opportunities are likely to come from India and emerging markets. “Patent expiry of semaglutide in India and EM creates meaningful headroom for generics,” Manchanda informed. He added that approvals in regulated developed markets generally take longer, particularly for peptide-based drugs.

Regulatory Markets Remain Cautious

While Canada and Brazil represent sizeable revenue pools, regulatory authorities in these markets remain cautious. “History shows that there are very few peptide generics approved in markets like Canada or Brazil,” Manchanda noted. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue developed by Novo Nordisk, is the active ingredient in blockbuster drugs such as Wegovy (for weight loss), Ozempic (for diabetes), and Rybelsus, the oral formulation for adults with type 2 diabetes.

Canada Opens Door

Canada has opened its market to generic semaglutide manufacturers from January. Foreign media reports indicate that several companies—including Apotex, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Aspen—have already submitted applications seeking approval. However, gaining regulatory clearance remains a lengthy process, even after patent barriers ease.

Indian Players Navigate Legal and Regulatory Pathways

Among Indian drugmakers, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) moved early by approaching local courts to secure export permissions. In December 2025, the Delhi High Court allowed DRL to export semaglutide to regions where no patent protection exists. Despite this legal clearance, DRL still awaits regulatory approval to commercially sell the drug in Canada.

Meanwhile, Sun Pharma committed to the Delhi High Court that it would not sell semaglutide in India until Novo Nordisk’s patent expires domestically. The court has, however, permitted the company to manufacture and export the drug.

Exports Limited to Regulatory Filings

Explaining the legal framework, intellectual property expert Rajeshwarie Hariharan said companies are currently allowed to export only limited quantities of semaglutide. “These exports are meant strictly for seeking regulatory approvals and not for commercial sale,” she clarified. In a significant global development, Novo Nordisk announced on December 31, 2025, that China’s Supreme People’s Court had ruled in its favour on semaglutide’s compound patent.

The Danish drugmaker said the court upheld an earlier Beijing IP Court ruling that recognised the validity of the compound patent. However, Novo Nordisk added that this decision would not change its earlier guidance. The company reiterated that patent expiry in certain countries would have only a low single-digit negative impact on its global sales growth in 2026.

Revenue Outlook Varies by Market

Systematix estimates that, in FY27, semaglutide generics could generate incremental revenues of ₹10–₹20 billion in India’s branded formulation space. Regulated markets such as Canada and Brazil could contribute around ₹45 billion, while emerging markets may add another ₹5–₹10 billion. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, while regulated markets offer large short-term opportunities, the report cautioned that these could taper over time due to pricing pressures and competition. In contrast, India and emerging markets may see slower initial uptake but sustained growth over the long term, with comparatively lower regulatory risks.

Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) appointed S.G. Venkatesh as Director (Technical) on its Board, with effect from January 5, 2026. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has approved the appointment, reinforcing the strategic importance of the role in CPCL’s leadership structure.

Three Decades of Industry Experience

With over thirty-one years of experience in the petroleum and petrochemical sector, Venkatesh brings deep technical and operational expertise to CPCL. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in driving complex refining and petrochemical initiatives across large-scale operations.

Leadership Role at IOCL

Before joining CPCL, Venkatesh served as Executive Director (Petrochemicals) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). In this role, he led IOCL’s entire petrochemical business, where he successfully drove revenue growth while shaping long-term business and investment strategies. Through his leadership, he contributed to strengthening IOCL’s downstream integration and expanding its petrochemical footprint.

Strengthening CPCL’s Technical and Growth Agenda

As reported by indianmasterminds.com, with this appointment, CPCL aims to further strengthen its refining and petrochemical operations while advancing technology-driven efficiency and growth initiatives. Venkatesh’s extensive industry experience is expected to support the company’s strategic objectives and long-term value creation.

Goldi Solar announced plans to significantly expand its manufacturing footprint, with the company targeting the addition of around 5 GW of solar module capacity and 16 GW of solar cell capacity by FY28. The expansion aims to meet India’s rapidly growing domestic demand for solar installations. Through this capacity build-up, the company is positioning itself to support large-scale deployment across rooftop, utility-scale, and distributed solar projects.

Policy Support Drives Expansion Strategy

The planned expansion is strongly aligned with India’s renewable energy push, driven by robust policy support and government initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. At the same time, the move supports the broader ‘Make in India’ vision by strengthening domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports. As a Gujarat-based manufacturer, Goldi Solar continues to leverage favourable policy frameworks. This enables the company to scale its operations in line with national energy transition goals.

Existing Manufacturing Base and ALMM Approval

Currently, Goldi Solar operates three solar module manufacturing units near Surat with a combined capacity of 15.2 GW. With the proposed additions, the company plans to increase its total module manufacturing capacity to over 20 GW in the coming years. Goldi Solar has already secured approvals under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) framework. This initiative encourages domestic production and supports the development of a resilient solar supply chain.

Backward Integration Through Advanced Cell Manufacturing

In parallel with module expansion, Goldi Solar is strengthening its backward integration strategy. The company is setting up a 1.2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility and plans to add an additional 16 GW of advanced cell capacity. The new capacity will focus on producing high-efficiency bifacial TOPCon N-type cells and modules. This will enable Goldi Solar to meet evolving technology needs and higher performance expectations in the solar market.

Supporting India’s Growing Solar Installations

Overall, the expansion will allow Goldi Solar to respond effectively to rising demand from residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects. As reported by projectstoday.com, the company is combining scale, advanced technology, and domestic manufacturing. This approach aims to strengthen its role in supporting India’s clean energy transition.

Larsen & Toubro’s Minerals & Metals (M&M) business division bagged multiple engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts from the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) and other domestic clients, further strengthening its presence in India’s steel and metals sector. The orders reinforce L&T’s role as a key engineering partner for large-scale metallurgical projects across the country.

EPC Role in SAIL’s Major Capacity Expansion

As part of SAIL’s ongoing modernisation programme, the IISCO Steel Plant at Burnpur in West Bengal will ramp up its crude steel capacity from 2.5 million tons per annum (MTPA) to 6.5 MTPA. SAIL has awarded L&T’s M&M business the complete EPC package for several critical process units. Specifically, the scope includes the coke oven battery, by-product plant, basic oxygen furnace (BOF), and specialised material handling systems. Through this comprehensive role, L&T will support SAIL’s efforts to improve efficiency, scale, and operational performance.

Bokaro Steel Plant to Get New Sinter Facility

In addition, L&T has bagged the EPC contract for the establishment of Sinter Plant two at SAIL’s Bokaro Steel Plant in Jharkhand. Once completed, the new sinter facility will play a key role in enhancing raw material preparation and supporting higher steel production volumes at the plant.

Advanced Material Handling Orders Highlight Capabilities

Beyond SAIL projects, L&T’s Minerals & Metals business has also won multiple orders for advanced material handling systems from other domestic clients. These include stacker reclaimers and wagon tipplers, underscoring the company’s technological expertise and execution reliability across the minerals and metals value chain. As reported by projectstoday.com, overall, the latest wins reflect L&T’s continued focus on delivering end-to-end EPC solutions for complex metallurgical and industrial infrastructure projects.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is set to expand its footprint beyond upstream operations by entering the specialised ethane shipping segment. The company partnered with Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) to jointly own and operate very large ethane carriers (VLECs). This move marks a significant diversification into energy logistics. Under the arrangement, ONGC will hold a 50% stake in two joint ventures established for the project.

Indian-Flagged Vessels to Support Petrochemical Operations

The VLECs will sail under the Indian flag and transport ethane from the United States to ONGC Petro additions Ltd (OPaL), ONGC’s petrochemical subsidiary. Through this dedicated shipping capacity, ONGC aims to secure a reliable supply of ethane, a critical feedstock for OPaL’s integrated petrochemical complex at Dahej, Gujarat. The project will enhance supply-chain security and reduce exposure to market and logistics disruptions.

Operations Targeted for Mid-2028

ONGC will commission the ethane carriers by mid-2028. Once commissioned, they will play a central role in supporting OPaL’s long-term production plans. They will also ensure uninterrupted feedstock availability for downstream petrochemical operations.

Long-Term Commitment

The project involves an estimated investment of around $370 million, highlighting ONGC’s commitment to strengthening its downstream and logistics capabilities. By investing directly in specialised shipping assets, ONGC is positioning itself to secure long-term ethane supplies while extending its presence across the energy value chain. As reported by devdiscourse.com, the partnership with Mitsui OSK Lines reflects ONGC’s broader strategy. It aims to integrate logistics with petrochemical operations and build resilience beyond its traditional upstream portfolio.

Waaree Energies announced a successful fundraise of ₹1,003 crore through its subsidiary, Waaree Energy Storage Solutions. As reported by devdiscourse.com, the company is building on its strong presence in renewable energy. It is now expanding across the energy storage value chain. Through this expansion, it aims to play a larger role in India’s decarbonisation and grid modernisation efforts.

Capital to Support Large-Scale Manufacturing Plans

The capital will play a critical role in advancing Waaree’s ambitious ₹10,000-crore plan to establish a 20 GWh advanced lithium-ion cell and battery pack manufacturing facility. The company aims to deliver high-performance energy storage solutions through the project. These solutions will cater to utility-scale applications, electric mobility, and distributed energy systems. At the same time, the investment positions Waaree to scale its manufacturing footprint in line with rising domestic and global demand for battery storage.

Accelerating Commissioning and Domestic Supply Chains

Ankit Doshi, Director at Waaree Energy Storage Solutions, said the funding will accelerate the commissioning of the new plant. He added that the project will strengthen domestic supply chains while significantly expanding India’s energy storage manufacturing capabilities. By localising advanced battery production, Waaree aims to reduce import dependence and support the country’s clean energy and electric mobility goals.

Advancing Waaree’s Energy Transition Strategy

The investment marks an important milestone in Waaree’s evolution into a fully integrated energy transition player. As reported by devdiscourse.com, the company is building on its strong presence in renewable energy. It is now expanding across the energy storage value chain and aims to play a larger role in India’s decarbonisation and grid modernisation efforts.

Jubilant Ingrevia Limited announced the appointment of Pravesh Garg as Chief of Manufacturing, reinforcing its focus on operational excellence across its diversified businesses. Garg will lead the company’s manufacturing operations across its multi-facility footprint, with a mandate to enhance safety, quality, scalability, and productivity. At the same time, his leadership will support Jubilant Ingrevia’s growth across pharmaceuticals, nutrition, agrochemicals, consumer, and industrial segments, while aligning manufacturing practices with global standards.

Three Decades of Manufacturing and Operations Leadership

With more than 30 years of hands-on experience, Pravesh Garg brings deep expertise in complex chemical manufacturing, large-scale project execution, and plant optimisation. His appointment reflects Jubilant Ingrevia’s continued commitment to building future-ready manufacturing leadership aligned with global quality benchmarks, ESG priorities, and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) excellence. Through his career, Garg has consistently driven improvements in productivity, reliability, and compliance across multi-site operations.

Proven Track Record at PI Industries

Before joining Jubilant Ingrevia, Garg spent over a decade at PI Industries Ltd, where he played a pivotal role in building and scaling manufacturing capabilities. During his tenure, he held multiple leadership positions, including Cluster Head – Operations, Location Head, Head – Manufacturing, Deputy General Manager – Production, and Senior Manager – Production. In these roles, he led multi-site operations at Panoli, strengthened yield and productivity, improved safety performance and compliance, and anchored plant leadership through successive phases of organisational growth.

Experience in Projects and Operations at Jubilant Pharmova

At Jubilant Pharmova Limited (formerly Jubilant Life Sciences Ltd), Garg held key roles such as Manager – Production and Deputy Manager – Project Planning. During this phase, he led the execution, commissioning, and stabilisation of the Symtet plant, while also advancing production planning and process optimisation. In addition, he oversaw EHS and statutory compliance, manpower development, preventive and predictive maintenance programmes, and large-scale project coordination across SEZ and process units.

Early Career Built on Technical and Operational Depth

Garg worked at GFL as Assistant Manager – Technical Service, where he focused on plant commissioning, production planning, process optimisation, and the implementation of ISO-aligned quality and safety systems. He also drove maintenance cost optimisation and coordinated closely with technology licensors and equipment suppliers.

As reported by hrtoday.in, he began his career at Jubilant Organosys Ltd and SRF Limited, progressing from section incharge to Assistant Engineer. During this formative period, he developed strong expertise in DCS- and PLC-based plant operations, chemical plant commissioning, production planning, emergency handling, and workforce leadership—laying a solid foundation for his long and impactful manufacturing career.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has taken on significant new responsibilities under the EU’s One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) package. In its expanded role, ECHA will lead efforts to streamline chemical assessments, enhance collaboration with EU agencies, and improve protection of human health and the environment. ECHA is committed to executing these tasks efficiently and transparently, ensuring that chemical regulation in Europe becomes more coherent and predictable.

Executive Leadership Emphasizes Collaboration and Science-Based Action. Dr. Sharon McGuinness, ECHA’s Executive Director, stated, “The OSOA package represents a major step towards a more efficient chemical safety system in Europe. By joining forces with partner agencies and authorities, we will anticipate risks, consolidate existing knowledge, and support innovation. Our shared goal is clear: a safer, more sustainable Europe through collaboration and science-based action.”

Building a Common Data Platform on Chemicals

A key element of the OSOA package is the creation of a common data platform and monitoring framework for chemicals. ECHA will oversee this platform in close cooperation with other EU bodies, including the European Environment Agency (EEA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), following governance guidelines and an implementation plan adopted by the European Commission.

The platform will integrate information from multiple sources and offer services such as:

*Chemical Monitoring Information Platform

*Repository of Reference Values

*Study Notifications Database

*Databases on regulatory processes, legal obligations, chemicals in products, alternatives to substances of concern, and sustainability-related data

This unified system will serve as a one-stop shop, improving transparency and accessibility for regulators, industry, and the public.

ECHA’s Expanded Tasks

Beyond managing the data platform, ECHA will:

*Develop a monitoring and outlook framework

*Support early warning and risk identification

*Generate new chemical data when required

*Promote scientific research to strengthen chemical safety

Additionally, ECHA will assume scientific and regulatory responsibilities previously managed by other bodies, including:

*Preparing restriction proposals under the RoHS Directive and processing exemption requests

*Setting and reviewing limit values for persistent organic pollutants under the POPs Regulation

*Updating guidelines for benefit-risk assessments of hazardous substances in medical devices under the Medical Devices Regulation

Towards a Safer and More Sustainable Europe

Through these new tasks, ECHA aims to enhance efficiency, improve consistency across EU chemical legislation, and foster a science-driven regulatory framework. As per the press release, by centralizing data and regulatory functions, the agency seeks to build a proactive system that anticipates risks and supports innovation, ultimately advancing chemical safety and sustainability across Europe.

SAMSUNG E&A, a total solutions provider for the global energy industry, officially broke ground on its Wabash low-carbon ammonia plant in the United States, marking a significant milestone in bilateral energy cooperation between Korea and the US.

The company held a ceremony for the project. The ceremony was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Kim Yoon-duk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) of the Republic of Korea; Hong Namkoong, President and CEO of SAMSUNG E&A; James P. Danly, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy; and Simon Greenshields, Chairman of the Board of Wabash Valley Resources. Their presence underscored strong government backing and international alignment on advancing low-carbon energy infrastructure.

Large-Scale Low-Carbon Ammonia Facility Planned in Indiana

SAMSUNG E&A will develop the project in Terre Haute, Indiana, as an eco-friendly ammonia production facility. Once operational, the plant will have the capacity to produce 500,000 tons of ammonia annually while capturing approximately 1.67 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.

Importantly, the U.S. and Korea have designated the project as a national initiative and are jointly funding it. Department of Energy (DOE), Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment. The multi-government backing reflects the project’s role in advancing energy transition and decarbonisation goals.

Major EPC Contract and 2029 Completion Target

In October last year, SAMSUNG E&A signed an Engineering, Procurement and Fabrication (EPF) contract worth approximately KRW 680 billion (about USD 475 million) with Wabash Valley Resources. The company is currently executing the project with a targeted completion date of 2029. By leveraging its extensive experience in ammonia plant development, SAMSUNG E&A aims to deliver the project efficiently and safely.

Advanced Technologies and Strategic Partnerships

To ensure successful execution, SAMSUNG E&A plans to deploy its differentiated technologies, including digital transformation (DT), artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and modular construction. In parallel, the company is working closely with the project owner and technology partner Honeywell UOP to optimise design, construction, and operational efficiency. The integrated approach will enhance project performance while reducing timelines and carbon intensity.

Expanding Portfolio in Energy Transition Technologies

Beyond this project, SAMSUNG E&A continues to strengthen its position in next-generation energy solutions. The company has been actively developing technologies and investing in innovation. It is also forming strategic partnerships across key segments such as ammonia and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The company is also active in liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon capture, and hydrogen.

As per the press release, these efforts have translated into concrete wins. They include a SAF plant in Malaysia and a biodegradable plastics plant in the UAE. The list also covers an eco-friendly LNG basic design project in Indonesia, a conceptual LNG design in North America, and a SAF basic design project in the US.

Leadership Emphasises Long-Term Vision

Hong Namkoong, President and CEO of SAMSUNG E&A, said, “We are delighted to be carrying out this meaningful project between Korea and the United States.” He added, “Going forward, we will continue to expand new business models that support additive and diversified energy solutions for the future.”