Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s Gujarat refinery in Vadodara is expected to achieve its expanded 18 million tons per annum (MTPA) crude-processing capacity by the end of FY27. Although the refinery can technically process 18 MTPA of crude, it has not yet reached the full targeted level because several downstream units required to convert crude into finished fuels, lube base stocks and petrochemicals are still under development.

Brownfield Expansion Nears Completion

The refinery currently operates between its earlier 13.7 MTPA capacity and the expanded 18 MTPA level, according to Biplob Biswas, Executive Director and Refinery Head, Indian Oil. “We can process 18 mtpa of crude even today. But every refinery has primary processing of crude and all the products we obtain from our crude unit go for secondary processing. We will touch 18 mtpa once we complete the secondary processing by the end of this fiscal,” Biswas said. The capacity ramp-up forms part of Indian Oil’s ₹17,825-crore Petrochemicals and Lube Integration Project (LuPech), which is now entering its final phase.

Major Units Commissioned

IOCL began the refinery expansion around five years ago. Since the project involves a brownfield expansion, the company has carried out much of the work within existing operating units. According to Biswas, two major refinery revamps planned under the expansion were successfully completed and commissioned last year. In addition, Indian Oil has commissioned the first two grassroots units this year. The company will now focus on commissioning the remaining units, with the propylene unit expected to be the final major facility to come online.

Polypropylene Unit to Add 500,000 Tons Capacity

The planned polypropylene unit will have a production capacity of 500,000 tons per year and is estimated to cost around ₹1,000 crore. The unit will use propylene generated from soft gases as feedstock. Its addition will strengthen Indian Oil’s petrochemical integration and domestic polymer production capabilities. The investment comes as India continues to import significant quantities of polypropylene despite having substantial installed domestic production capacity.

Crude Sourcing Becomes More Diverse

IOCL is also diversifying the crude sources for its Gujarat refinery. Around 30% of the refinery’s crude requirement currently comes from domestic sources, according to Biswas. The company has also expanded its international sourcing portfolio. In recent years, the refinery has processed crude cargoes from the US and Venezuela, alongside supplies from other international sources. “We are gradually diversifying. We have taken some cargoes from the US in the past. Our portfolio remains very diverse. We have also got a couple of cargoes from Venezuela about three months ago,” Biswas said.

Gujarat Refinery Moves Towards Full Capacity

With the commissioning of the remaining downstream facilities, Indian Oil expects the Gujarat refinery to fully utilise its 18 MTPA crude-processing capacity by FY27-end. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the completion of the LuPech project will also strengthen the refinery’s integration across fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals, supporting Indian Oil’s broader downstream growth strategy.

The Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI) called for a balanced approach that combines agricultural productivity, soil health and environmental sustainability while strengthening India’s agrochemical industry and exports. Ram Nath Thakur, union minister of state for agriculture and farmer’s welfare, emphasised the need for responsible use of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. According to CCFI, he cautioned that excessive application could affect soil quality and human health. At the same time, Thakur highlighted government initiatives aimed at promoting natural farming and digital land identification systems. These initiatives can help farmers apply agricultural inputs according to specific crop and soil requirements, thereby improving input efficiency.

Strengthening Research and Crop Protection

P. K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, highlighted the importance of research and development, climate-resilient crop varieties and safer crop protection products. He stressed the need to address pest resistance and strengthen product traceability and quality standards. These measures can help improve the effectiveness and safety of crop protection products while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

India Needs to Move Beyond Volume-Based Competition

Shivraj Anand, Director & CEO – International Business, Parijat Industries (India), said India should move beyond volume-driven competition and focus instead on strategic co-development with global innovators. According to Anand, developing safer, lower-dose molecules and biological crop protection solutions can help Indian agriculture respond to climate-related challenges while improving the competitiveness of domestic manufacturers. “Domestic synthesis of proprietary chemistries can equip farmers with modern, climate-resilient crop protection solutions while strengthening backward integration and export competitiveness,” he said.

Policy Support Can Boost Sustainable Crop Protection

Anand called for predictable product registration timelines, harmonisation of OECD-GLP data requirements and incentives for green chemistry. Such measures, he said, could help India strengthen its position as a global hub for sustainable crop protection products while encouraging domestic innovation and manufacturing. Anand further highlighted the need for stronger collaboration among industry, government and scientific institutions. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, going forward, greater cooperation and investment in research, sustainable technologies and regulatory efficiency could help India strengthen its domestic agrochemical manufacturing base and global export competitiveness.

Jindal Stainless, one of India’s leading stainless steel manufacturer, and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have renewed their Lubricants Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) partnership for another five years. The renewed agreement continues the companies’ long-standing association while strengthening their technical and supply collaboration. The agreement was formally signed at Jindal Stainless’ Hisar unit. Present were Hemant Rathore, Executive Director, Northern Region & State Head, DSO, Indian Oil, and Vijay Bindlish, Unit Head – Hisar, Jindal Stainless.

Focus on Quality and Technical Collaboration

Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director, Jindal Stainless, said, “Our long-standing association with Indian Oil reflects the value of sustained collaboration between two organisations with a shared focus on quality, reliability and technical excellence. The renewal of this arrangement for another five years reinforces this relationship and provides an opportunity to deepen our engagement further. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Indian Oil and exploring new avenues of technical cooperation as industry needs evolve.” The renewed agreement will enable both organisations to build on their existing technical collaboration and respond more effectively to evolving industrial requirements.

Indian Oil Strengthens Energy and Lubricants Support

Hemant Rathore, Executive Director, Northern Region & State Head, DSO, Indian Oil, highlighted, “IOCL and Jindal Stainless Limited share a long-standing and valued relationship, encompassing a wide range of lubricant and fuel requirements. The renewal of the Consumer’s Operated Lube Depot’s (COLD) agreement for another five years marks an important milestone in this enduring partnership.” In addition to lubricants, Indian Oil supplies Jindal Stainless with LDO, HSD, LSHS and Propane, further expanding the scope of their energy partnership. Rathore added that the collaboration, built on mutual trust, reliability and shared objectives, creates value for both organisations. Indian Oil will continue supporting Jindal Stainless with dependable energy supplies and SERVO® lubricants for demanding industrial applications.

Supporting Manufacturing Reliability

The renewed partnership strengthens the companies’ broader engagement across industrial lubricants and energy supplies. As manufacturing operations increasingly focus on equipment reliability, operational efficiency and uninterrupted production, dependable lubrication and energy solutions remain essential. As per the press release, the five-year extension reinforces Jindal Stainless and Indian Oil’s commitment to reliable supply, technical cooperation and long-term industrial support as manufacturing requirements continue to evolve.

SunBridge BioEnergy Ltd., the bioenergy arm of SunBridge Group, has commenced commercial production at its grain-based, fuel-grade ethanol manufacturing facility in Seoni, Madhya Pradesh. The development marks an important milestone in the company’s entry into India’s growing biofuel sector. The Seoni ethanol plant has a production capacity of 300 kilolitres per day (KLD) and a storage capacity of 11,000 kilolitres. The facility covers approximately 117,560 square metres.

Ethanol Capacity to Reach 700 KLD

SunBridge BioEnergy is also expanding its ethanol production capacity. With the planned operationalisation of its 400 KLD facility in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, the company’s total ethanol production capacity is expected to reach 700 KLD. The expansion will strengthen SunBridge BioEnergy’s position in the grain-based ethanol sector while supporting India’s transition towards renewable fuels.

Focus on Resource-Efficient Ethanol Production

The Seoni facility incorporates technologies designed to improve resource efficiency and maximise the value of raw materials. Along with fuel-grade ethanol, the plant produces valuable co-products, including Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) and Distillers Corn Oil (DCO). These
co-products are primarily used in poultry and cattle feed, thereby improving resource utilisation and supporting a circular approach to production. The facility uses water recovery and reuse systems supported by Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) operations. These measures help reduce water consumption and promote responsible use of natural resources.

Supporting Farmers and Rural Economies

SunBridge BioEnergy uses damaged food grains, including maize and broken rice, as feedstock to produce fuel-grade ethanol. Since these grains are not suitable for human consumption, their conversion into ethanol creates additional value from otherwise underutilised resources. At the same time, this approach can support farming communities by creating additional demand for damaged and broken grains. As a result, the company aims to connect renewable fuel production with rural economic development.

SunBridge Group Expands Bioenergy Focus

Anuj Agarwal, Founder and Chairman, SunBridge Group, said, “The commencement of ethanol production at our Seoni facility marks an important step in SunBridge’s journey into bioenergy. Our focus is to build a scalable bioenergy platform that brings together energy and resource efficiency, while creating meaningful value for farmers and rural economies. The Seoni facility is the beginning of this journey, and we see significant potential to build on this foundation as India’s bioenergy ecosystem evolves, transitioning towards sustainable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.”

Building a Future-Ready Bioenergy Platform

 The development forms part of SunBridge Group’s broader strategy to build long-term businesses across consumer products, bioenergy and solar energy, in line with India’s evolving consumption and energy requirements. As per the press release, SunBridge BioEnergy aims to develop a future-ready bioenergy ecosystem based on renewable fuels, circular economy practices and responsible manufacturing. Through these initiatives, the company seeks to contribute to energy security, sustainability and rural growth while supporting India’s transition towards cleaner energy.

The 2026 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine has been awarded for pioneering work on optogenetics, a technology that enables scientists to investigate how nerve cells influence memories, emotions and behaviour in the living brain. Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel and Karl Deisseroth have been recognised for discoveries that established the foundation of modern optogenetics and opened a new era in neuroscience. Hegemann and Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, a light-sensitive protein found in a single-celled alga. Deisseroth subsequently transformed this protein into a light-controlled switch that allows researchers to activate specific nerve cells with precision.

Optogenetics Opens a New Window into the Brain

Scientists have long sought to understand how the brain controls emotions, behaviour and bodily functions. During the 20th century, researchers identified brain regions associated with different functions. However, existing techniques often could not establish whether specific nerve cells directly caused particular responses. As a result, scientists could develop only a broad “map” of brain function, leaving many causal connections unexplained. Optogenetics has changed this approach. The technique allows researchers to control selected nerve cells using light and observe the resulting effects, providing a more precise way to study neural circuits. “Optogenetics provides opportunities for mapping the brain in a way that we could once only dream of,” said Per Svenningsson, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine.

Discovery of the Light-Sensitive Protein

The breakthrough began with Peter Hegemann’s interest in how Chlamydomonas, a single-celled alga, moves towards light. In the early 2000s, Hegemann and Georg Nagel discovered channelrhodopsin, a protein located on the surface of the algal cell. When exposed to blue light, the protein opens a channel that allows charged ions to enter the cell, generating an electrical impulse. Importantly, the researchers found that introducing channelrhodopsin into other types of cells could also make those cells responsive to light. This discovery provided the essential biological tool for developing optogenetics.

Deisseroth Turns Protein into a Neural Switch

Karl Deisseroth took the discovery a step further by introducing the gene responsible for channelrhodopsin

into rat nerve cells. When he illuminated these modified nerve cells with blue light, he successfully triggered nerve signals. He published the breakthrough in 2005 and, two years later, demonstrated that the light-controlled system could operate inside the brains of living mice. This work established the foundation for using light to control neural activity in living animals.

Optogenetics Transforms Brain Research

The technique became known as optogenetics and quickly gained global importance. Researchers can now use it to activate or inhibit specific neural circuits and study their roles in memory, emotions and behaviour. Consequently, optogenetics has helped scientists investigate neural mechanisms associated with several neurological and psychiatric disorders. Researchers are also exploring potential clinical applications. For example, optogenetic approaches are being investigated as a way to restore vision in people with visual impairment.

A New Era in Neuroscience

The work of Hegemann, Nagel and Deisseroth has fundamentally changed how scientists study the brain. By allowing researchers to manipulate specific nerve cells with light, optogenetics provides a powerful tool for connecting neural activity with behaviour. As per the nobelprize.org press release, as research continues, the technology is helping scientists uncover new insights into one of humanity’s greatest scientific questions: how the brain creates memories, emotions and behaviours.

AkzoNobel has entered into binding agreements to sell its Decorative Paints business in Southeast Asia to Nippon Paint for an enterprise value of approximately $1.35 billion (€1.20 billion). The divestment forms part of AkzoNobel’s previously announced strategy to rebalance its portfolio and strengthen its focus on businesses where it can achieve leadership positions and differentiated scale.

Seven Countries Included in the Deal

The agreements cover AkzoNobel’s Decorative Paints operations across seven countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia. However, AkzoNobel will retain full ownership of its coatings businesses and global business services organisation.

$1 Billion in Expected Net Proceeds

The transactions are based on an enterprise value of approximately $1.35 billion, equivalent to an EV/FY2025 EBITDA multiple of 21 times. After accounting for taxes and minority partners, AkzoNobel expects to receive approximately $1 billion (€0.9 billion) in net cash proceeds. Following the earlier sale of its Decorative Paints businesses in India and Pakistan, the latest transactions will complete AkzoNobel’s review of its Decorative Paints portfolio in Asia. The company will now focus on completing its planned merger with Axalta.

AkzoNobel Focuses on Portfolio Strategy

Greg Poux-Guillaume, CEO, AkzoNobel, said, “The successful completion of our Asia portfolio review is part of an ongoing strategy to focus our portfolio on areas where we can achieve differentiating scale and strengthen our position.” He expressed confidence that Nippon Paint would build on this foundation by combining the acquired businesses with its existing operations in the region.

Nippon Paint to Build on Existing Businesses

Wee Siew Kim, Director, Representative Executive Officer & Co-President, Nippon Paint, said the company looks forward to welcoming the businesses and their teams. Nippon Paint plans to build on the strong foundations established by AkzoNobel while continuing to deliver quality, experience and local market expertise to customers and partners.

Transactions Expected to Close by 2027

The proposed transactions remain subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The Indonesia transaction is expected to close separately in late 2026, while the remaining transactions are expected to be completed by mid-2027. As per the press release, once completed, the divestments will mark a significant step in AkzoNobel’s portfolio transformation and further strengthen Nippon Paint’s presence across key Southeast Asian decorative paints markets.

Contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) Sterling Pharma Solutions completed an additional large-scale GMP manufacturing suite at its dedicated bioconjugation facility in Deeside, UK. The expansion will double the site’s manufacturing capacity while increasing its production scale to 500 litres. The multi-million-pound investment strengthens Sterling’s ability to support the growing demand for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and other advanced bioconjugates.

Expanded Facility Supports Large-Scale GMP Manufacturing

The expanded Deeside facility houses Sterling’s specialist bioconjugation teams, which support discovery, development, scale-up and clinical manufacturing of ADCs and other bioconjugates. These include antibody-oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs), antibody-protein conjugates (APCs) and radio-chelators. The GMP suite features a 500-litre reactor and a 1,400-square-foot Grade C cleanroom. Consequently, the facility can now support larger GMP projects for pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Moreover, the suite combines flexible and hard containment technologies to enable the safe handling of highly potent compounds. The Deeside facility can process molecules with exposure limits as low as 0.05 ng/m³ (OEB 5), with processing carried out using single-use bioreactors.

New Analytical Laboratory Expands Testing Capabilities

Alongside the GMP expansion, Sterling has established a new 3,400-square-foot analytical services laboratory at the Deeside facility. The laboratory adds both capacity and new analytical capabilities to support bioconjugation development and manufacturing. The facility increases HPLC and UPLC capacity and introduces several advanced analytical technologies, including:

UPLC-LC/MS for advanced analytical characterisation.

Bio-Techne MFI for particle-size imaging.

Protein stability characterisation capabilities.

Automated, plate-based ultrafiltration and diafiltration.

Dedicated facilities for cell assay method development and analysis.

The laboratory also features a SpectraMax iD3 multimode plate reader, Agilent NovoCyte flow cytometer and Thermo EVOS M5000 fluorescence microscope, further strengthening Sterling’s analytical capabilities.

Larger Batch Sizes Support Clinical Development

Andrew Henderson, President EMEA and Chief Commercial Officer, Sterling Pharma Solutions, said the additional capacity represents a milestone in the development of the Deeside facility and its bioconjugation services. The expanded capabilities respond to both customer requirements and growing market demand. Sterling can now offer greater manufacturing capacity and larger batch sizes, enabling customers to progress projects from development through Phase III and ultimately commercial manufacturing. The additional capacity is also immediately available to customers.

End-to-End ADC Manufacturing Support

Sterling further strengthens its ADC capabilities through its Wisconsin, US facility, which specialises in the development and manufacture of linker-payloads. The US team works closely with the Deeside bioconjugation team to support ADC development and manufacturing. In addition, Sterling maintains strategic partnerships covering antibody production and sterile fill-finish (drug product). As a result, the company can provide pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers with an end-to-end service for the clinical development and manufacturing of ADCs and other bioconjugates.

Strengthening ADC Manufacturing Capabilities

With the Deeside expansion, Sterling Pharma Solutions is increasing its capacity to support the rapidly developing ADC and bioconjugation market. As per the press release, the combination of larger-scale GMP manufacturing, advanced analytical capabilities and integrated global services positions the CDMO to support customers from early development through late-stage clinical and commercial manufacturing.

Petronet LNG Ltd. approved the appointment of Sanjay Kumar as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD & CEO) of the company. The Board of Directors approved the appointment at its meeting held on October 2, 2026. Kumar, who currently serves as Director (Marketing) at GAIL (India) Ltd., will take charge as Petronet LNG’s MD & CEO from the date of vacancy, May 13, 2027.

Appointment Follows Board Committee Recommendation

The appointment follows the recommendation of Petronet LNG’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. Kumar will assume the leadership role once the position becomes vacant on May 13, 2027. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, Kumar’s appointment brings experience from GAIL, one of India’s major natural gas companies, to the leadership of Petronet LNG as the company continues to operate in the country’s LNG import and gas infrastructure sector.

Adani Green Energy Ltd. (AGEL), one of India’s largest renewable energy company, increased its operational battery energy storage system (BESS) capacity to 6.63 GWh at Khavda, Gujarat. The company expanded the capacity from 3.55 GWh in June 2026 and now accounts for more than half of India’s approximately 12.6 GWh of operational BESS capacity. According to AGEL, the milestone establishes Khavda as the world’s largest operational battery energy storage installation at a single location, with 6.63 GWh of operational capacity.

BESS Expansion Supports Khavda Renewable Energy Project

AGEL achieved the 6.63 GWh milestone within 14 months of starting BESS construction at Khavda. The latest capacity addition took just 10 months to commission from the beginning of construction. The battery storage system forms an integral part of AGEL’s renewable energy development at Khavda, where the company is developing a 30 GW renewable energy plant across 538 sq km of barren land. The company said its 6.63 GWh BESS can store enough clean energy to power around two million homes for a day. It can also support peak electricity demand in cities such as Nagpur, Patna and Vizag for several hours. Moreover, the storage capacity is equivalent to the battery capacity of more than 150,000 mid-sized electric vehicles and can store enough energy each day to meet almost twice the estimated daily electricity requirement of the Delhi Metro.

Battery Storage Strengthens Renewable Power Reliability

“Reaching 6.63 GWh of operational battery storage in just 14 months is a significant milestone for AGEL and India’s clean energy transition,” said Sagar Adani, Executive Director, Adani Green Energy Ltd. He added that storage at this scale can make renewable power firmer, more reliable and dispatchable when the electricity grid requires it. The BESS uses lithium-ion battery technology, supported by energy management systems (EMS) and automated telemetry. These systems manage charging and discharging, optimise battery performance and enable the facility to provide grid services.

AGEL Targets More Than 10 GWh of BESS Additions

Looking ahead, AGEL plans to add more than 10 GWh of BESS capacity during FY 2026–27. The company is also targeting 50 GWh of energy storage capacity over the next five years. In addition, AGEL is pursuing pumped storage projects (PSPs) as part of its broader strategy to develop large-scale renewable power that can deliver firm and dispatchable electricity.

AGEL Expands Renewable Energy Portfolio

AGEL develops, owns and operates utility-scale grid-connected solar, wind, hybrid and energy storage projects. The company currently has an operating renewable energy portfolio of 20.76 GW, along with 6.63 GWh of operational BESS capacity across 12 states. As reported by pv-magazine-india.com, AGEL aims to reach 50 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, supporting India’s broader decarbonisation and clean-energy transition goals.

ADAMA Ltd., a global crop protection company, launched Rexaro® in India, a broad-spectrum foliar fungicide developed for specialty crops. The dual-action fungicide combines two complementary modes of action to provide preventive and early curative control of key Oomycete diseases. The product also features an advanced formulation designed to deliver consistent field performance while supporting effective disease management.

Rexaro Supports Disease Control in Specialty Crops

Rexaro® is designed to provide flexible disease control for grape, potato and vegetable growers in India. Field trials conducted across the country demonstrated strong efficacy against downy mildew in grapes and cucumber, as well as late blight in potatoes. Furthermore, the fungicide offers a broad crop and disease profile. It is also effective against tomato root rot, downy mildew in brassicas and onion diseases, giving growers an additional option for managing multiple Oomycete threats.

Advanced Formulation Enhances Field Performance

Rexaro® uses an advanced liquid formulation that improves spreading and penetration through the leaf cuticle. In addition, the formulation provides strong rainfastness, helping maintain product performance under challenging field conditions. The product also disperses effectively in tank mixes, enabling convenient application while supporting crop safety and consistent disease control.

ADAMA Focuses on Reliable Disease Management

“Oomycete diseases can spread rapidly and significantly impact the quality and value of specialty crops,” said Jean Zonato, Head of Global Fungicides at ADAMA. According to Zonato, growers need solutions that provide effective disease control while delivering reliable performance under real-world conditions. By combining complementary modes of action with ADAMA’s Ayalon™ technology, Rexaro® aims to provide growers with a dependable tool to protect specialty crops and manage disease pressure. As per the company press release, the launch further strengthens ADAMA’s crop protection portfolio in India, particularly for growers seeking effective solutions for Oomycete disease management.