Aarti Industries Ltd. (AIL) has announced a major leadership transition effective October 1, 2026, appointing Suyog Kotecha as its Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, subject to shareholder approval.

Currently serving as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Kotecha will lead the company’s next phase of growth under a strengthened professionally managed leadership structure.

As part of the transition, the promoter Executive Directors will move into Non-Executive leadership roles:

• Rajendra Gogri – Non-Executive Chairman (from Chairman & Managing Director)
• Rashesh Gogri – Non-Executive Vice Chairman (from Vice-Chairman & Managing Director)
• Renil Gogri – Non-Executive Vice Chairman (from Vice-Chairman & Executive Director)

The leadership restructuring is part of Aarti Industries’ long-term succession plan aimed at strengthening corporate governance, institutional leadership, and sustainable value creation. While the executive management will oversee day-to-day operations, the promoter leadership will continue to provide strategic guidance and industry expertise.

The Board expressed confidence in Kotecha, who joined the company as CEO in June 2024, to drive Aarti Industries’ next phase of growth with a continued focus on customer-centric innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth. The company reaffirmed its commitment to its core values of Care, Integrity, and Excellence.

Malaysia’s PETRONAS has strengthened its long-standing energy relationship with Japan’s Hokuriku Electric Power by signing a Heads of Agreement (HoA) to renew its long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply arrangement. Under the proposed agreement, PETRONAS LNG Ltd. will continue supplying up to 0.54 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of LNG to the Japanese utility for 10 years from 2028, ensuring continued energy security for Hokuriku Electric.

Alongside the HoA, the two companies also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration on carbon-neutral initiatives, including lower-carbon energy solutions and sustainability projects. The partnership reflects both companies’ commitment to supporting Japan’s energy transition while advancing decarbonisation efforts.

PETRONAS said the renewed agreement reinforces its position as a reliable LNG supplier to Japan and highlights its strategy of building long-term partnerships that combine secure energy supply with sustainable development. The collaboration also underscores the growing role of LNG in supporting Asia’s evolving energy needs while facilitating the transition towards a lower-carbon future.

Investor interest in India’s chemical sector is strengthening as the global China+1 sourcing strategy continues to shift manufacturing and supply chains toward alternative destinations. According to industry estimates, the opportunity could unlock a US$36 billion market for Indian chemical manufacturers over the coming years.

The report highlights three Indian chemical companies that are well positioned to benefit from this trend, driven by expanding fluorochemical applications in electric vehicles, semiconductors, batteries and pharmaceuticals. Growing demand, combined with India’s improving manufacturing capabilities, government support and increasing global customer diversification, is creating favourable conditions for the sector.

Industry experts believe Indian specialty chemical producers with strong R&D capabilities, integrated manufacturing and global customer relationships are likely to be among the biggest beneficiaries as multinational companies continue to reduce dependence on Chinese suppliers.

Aarti Industries is focusing on strengthening its technology capabilities and deepening its chemistry expertise rather than pursuing scale alone, as it enters its next phase of growth. The specialty chemicals manufacturer reported a 12% increase in FY26 revenue to ₹9,018 crore, supported by higher sales volumes, improved capacity utilisation and operational efficiencies.

The company is expanding its presence in high-value specialty chemicals through process innovation, integrated manufacturing and customer-centric product development. Management said its long-term strategy is centred on enhancing value addition, improving margins and building resilient global partnerships rather than chasing volume growth.

Aarti also continues to invest in R&D, sustainability initiatives and differentiated chemistries to strengthen its competitive position in global markets. With a diversified product portfolio serving pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, polymers and performance chemicals, the company expects innovation and operational excellence to drive sustainable long-term growth.

Italian energy major Eni has taken the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the development of the offshore Cronos gas field in Cyprus, marking a significant milestone in the country’s first natural gas production project. The development is being undertaken in partnership with TotalEnergies, with first gas targeted by 2028.

Located in Block 6 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, the Cronos field is estimated to contain more than 3 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The project will transport gas to Egypt through existing infrastructure for processing and LNG export via the Damietta terminal, supplying international markets, particularly Europe.

The development is expected to strengthen energy cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, diversify Europe’s gas supplies, and position Cyprus as an emerging regional energy hub while leveraging existing infrastructure for faster commercialization.

Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd. (RCF) and GAIL (India) Ltd. have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture for developing a 1.27 million tonnes per annum (MMTPA) gas-based urea plant in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. The project will be implemented through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) and located along GAIL’s Mumbai–Nagpur–Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline, ensuring reliable natural gas supply.

The proposed facility is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic fertilizer production capacity while reducing dependence on imports. Natural gas will serve as the primary feedstock, enabling more efficient and environmentally sustainable urea manufacturing. The collaboration aligns with the Government’s objective of achieving greater fertilizer self-sufficiency and improving agricultural input security.

The project is expected to support regional industrial development, generate employment opportunities, and reinforce the country’s long-term food security through enhanced domestic fertilizer availability.

DCM Shriram Ltd. has reported a resilient financial performance for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026, despite a challenging global environment marked by geopolitical uncertainties, supply chain disruptions and an erratic start to the southwest monsoon.

For Q1 FY27, the company posted net revenue (net of excise duty) of ₹3,564 crore, up 9% year-on-year, while PBDIT increased 12% to ₹364 crore. Profit After Tax (PAT) jumped to ₹693 crore, compared with ₹114 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

Revenue growth was primarily driven by the Chemicals business, which recorded a 33% year-on-year increase, and Fenesta Building Systems, which grew 22%. The improvement in PBDIT was led by the Chemicals & Vinyl segment, where earnings rose 30% year-on-year.

Commenting on the results, the company said the first quarter of FY27 was shaped by geopolitical tensions, particularly the ongoing West Asia crisis, which disrupted global supply chains and energy markets, adding to inflationary pressures and reinforcing expectations of a prolonged high-interest-rate environment. In India, an erratic start to the southwest monsoon temporarily affected rural consumption, although the broader industrial outlook remains supported by strong domestic fundamentals.

The Chemicals business delivered a resilient performance despite global headwinds. Domestic caustic soda demand remained healthy, while advanced materials operations continued to improve with higher utilization rates. The company said its downstream integration initiatives remain on track, with Aluminum Chloride and Calcium Chloride projects currently undergoing pre-commissioning trials, strengthening its product portfolio and supporting long-term growth.

In the Sugar and Ethanol segment, the company noted that lower domestic sugar inventories and a global sugar deficit have supported higher international sugar prices. However, it emphasized that the long-term sustainability of the sector, particularly the ethanol blending ecosystem, will require continued government policy support on feedstock pricing and alternative usage mandates.

DCM Shriram also said that its major capital expenditure projects are now entering the commissioning phase. The company will focus on capacity ramp-up, deeper value-chain integration and disciplined capital allocation. It added that its strong balance sheet provides resilience against external volatility while supporting future growth, with sustainability continuing to remain central to its strategy through responsible resource utilization and improved energy efficiency across its manufacturing operations.

Research finds almost eight in ten operators are managing assets beyond their design life in Central Asia 

Integrated Global Services (IGS), a global leader in engineered surface protection and asset integrity, has released new research showing Central Asian refinery operators are facing growing pressure to keep turnaround schedules under control as ageing assets and recurring corrosion issues place greater pressure on already limited shutdown windows. In response, 75% of respondents said reducing future turnaround scope is a crucial consideration when evaluating corrosion protection or asset integrity solutions. 

The survey of refinery leaders and operators in Central Asia found that short shutdown windows were identified as the biggest challenge when managing turnaround scope for critical process vessels and other high-risk equipment, selected by 39% of respondents. Ageing assets are adding to that pressure. Almost eight in ten respondents said at least 10% of their critical assets are operating beyond original design life, including 29% who said more than half of their critical assets are beyond design life.  

The region also suffers from recurring corrosion, erosion and metal wastage issues. The survey found 85% of respondents have experienced the need for follow-up work for these issues across more than one inspection or turnaround cycle, while 34% say this happens frequently or very frequently. 

Against this backdrop, 75% cite reducing future turnaround scope as a very important consideration when evaluating corrosion protection or asset integrity solutions.  

Norman Kiddie, SVP Strategic Projects, at IGS says: “Turnaround windows are under more pressure, leaving operators with less time to complete maintenance during a shutdown. And the challenge isn’t just the major repair that everyone can see coming. More often, we see smaller corrosion, erosion and metal wastage issues that return cycle after cycle. Long-term asset protection helps operators address those issues earlier, so less work comes back into future turnaround scope.”  

Unresolved or repeat issues increase exposure to unplanned downtime between turnarounds. The survey found that 87% of respondents experienced at least some impact from unplanned downtime over the past 12 months, with almost a third reporting significant production or throughput losses, or major financial, safety or reliability impacts. For operators managing ageing critical assets, avoiding unplanned disruption starts with reducing the repeat work and unresolved degradation that can build up between shutdowns. 

The findings also highlight the tension between the value operators place on long-term performance and the difficulty of proving the investment case before adoption. Despite proven performance over multiple operating cycles being the factor that carries the most weight when selecting solutions, cited by 29% of respondents, difficulty proving ROI before first use is the main barrier to adopting longer-term asset protection strategies, cited by 35%. 

Kiddie continues: “Operators know they cannot keep adding work to already tight turnaround schedules. But the case for long-term asset protection has to be practical and commercial. It needs to show that critical equipment can stay protected across multiple operating cycles, that repeat repairs can be reduced, and that future turnaround scope can become more predictable.” 

Nuberg EPC, the global engineering and EPC arm of the Nuberg Group, has successfully executed the design and supply of a 100–150 TPD Emergency Chlorine Absorption System for BRINSA (Brinsa S.A.), located in Bogotá, Colombia. The project, built on Nuberg’s in-house Sodium Hypochlorite (Hypo) technology, is scheduled for commissioning in October 2026. The comprehensive scope encompasses design and detailed engineering, complete equipment supply, supervision of erection and installation, pre-commissioning and commissioning, along with performance guarantee of the plant.

The company has already completed the full supply of the system, underscoring Nuberg EPC’s strong execution capabilities and adherence to global project timelines. The chlorine absorption system is engineered to ensure safe handling and efficient conversion of chlorine into sodium hypochlorite, enabling enhanced operational safety, process optimization, and environmental compliance. Leveraging its proprietary process know-how, Nuberg EPC continues to deliver robust and reliable solutions for complex chemical processing requirements.

With deep domain expertise across the chlor-alkali value chain, Nuberg EPC has established strong capabilities in chlorine handling, processing, and downstream chlorine derivatives, including sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, bleaching chemicals, and allied products. The company’s integrated approach—from process design to commissioning—enables clients to achieve higher efficiency, safety, and scalability across operations.

This project further strengthens Nuberg’s growing footprint in the Latin American region, reflecting increasing global demand for advanced chlorine processing technologies. Nuberg EPC has successfully delivered and is executing projects across key international markets, including the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, building a strong reputation for quality engineering and on-time project delivery. Its expanding global portfolio continues to position the company as a trusted partner for high-performance industrial solutions.

BRINSA (Brinsa S.A.) is among Colombia’s leading chemical companies, with a strong presence in the production of salts, chlor-alkali derivatives, and industrial chemicals. Known for its focus on quality, operational excellence, and innovation, BRINSA caters to a wide range of industries across Latin America. The partnership with Nuberg EPC is expected to further enhance BRINSA’s production efficiency and strengthen its value chain through advanced process integration.

Nuberg Industries Limited is a globally recognized EPC and turnkey project management company with over three decades of engineering excellence. The company has delivered 75+ greenfield projects across more than 30 countries, offering end-to-end solutions across chlor-alkali, hydrogen, downstream chemicals, and emerging energy sectors. With strong in-house engineering capabilities, proprietary technologies, and a global execution track record, Nuberg continues to drive industrial progress through innovation-led engineering.

Adding further, AK Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, Nuberg Group of Industries stated: “This engagement with BRINSA reinforces Nuberg’s strategic focus on expanding its global chemical processing portfolio. Our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions, backed by strong engineering fundamentals and execution excellence, continues to drive our growth in international markets. We see significant opportunities in Latin America and remain focused on delivering differentiated, technology-led solutions that meet evolving industry needs.”

The Central Government is committed to strengthening India’s pharmaceutical industry by fostering innovation, research and development (R&D), and global competitiveness, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said.

He emphasized that the government’s focus is on creating a robust ecosystem that supports pharmaceutical companies, encourages greater investment in research and innovation, and enables Indian firms to expand their footprint in international markets.

Goyal highlighted that India’s pharmaceutical industry has emerged as a key pillar of the country’s healthcare system and economic growth, while also playing a vital role in supplying affordable, high-quality medicines to patients around the world.

He noted that continued investment in advanced technologies, research, and innovation, coupled with stronger collaboration between industry, academia, and other stakeholders, will be critical to driving the sector’s long-term growth.

The minister added that the government remains committed to making India’s pharmaceutical industry more competitive, sustainable, and globally recognized, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and innovation.