GAIL (India) Limited is investing ₹6 billion (approximately US$63.1 million) to develop a heating unit at its Ratnagiri liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Maharashtra. The facility will support LNG regasification and enable the terminal to operate at its designed capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). R. K. Singhal, Business Development Director at GAIL, shared the investment details with reporters on Wednesday during an industry event. The company expects to complete the heating unit by June 2027.

Heating Unit to Address LNG Terminal Capacity Constraints

The Ratnagiri LNG terminal currently operates at approximately 50% of its designed capacity because the required heating unit is not yet ready, according to Singhal. The proposed investment aims to address this operational constraint by providing the infrastructure needed to process larger volumes of LNG. Once the facility is completed and commissioned, GAIL expects to improve terminal utilisation and move towards its full capacity of 5 MTPA.

How the New Heating Unit Will Support Regasification

LNG is transported and stored in a liquefied state at extremely low temperatures. Before entering gas pipelines for distribution and consumption, it must be warmed and converted back into its gaseous form through a process known as regasification. The planned heating unit will provide the heat required for this process, supporting the terminal’s ability to handle and supply natural gas efficiently. Consequently, the facility will help address the infrastructure limitation currently affecting the terminal’s operations and improve its regasification capabilities.

GAIL Targets Completion by June 2027

GAIL has earmarked ₹6 billion for the heating unit, with completion targeted for June 2027. The project forms part of the company’s efforts to strengthen LNG infrastructure and maximise the utilisation of its existing assets. By completing the required heating facilities, GAIL aims to unlock the Ratnagiri terminal’s designed processing capacity and improve the availability of LNG regasification infrastructure. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, the terminal’s actual operating levels will depend on the timely completion and commissioning of the heating unit, along with other operational requirements.

Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI), a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Heavy Water Board (HWB) and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) to develop processes for recovering nickel and cobalt from plant reverts. The agreement brings together MIDHANI’s industrial capabilities and the technological expertise of the two Department of Atomic Energy organisations. Through this collaboration, the partners aim to develop efficient and sustainable metal recovery processes that improve resource utilisation and promote recycling.

Developing Sustainable Metal Recovery Technologies

The collaboration will focus on recovering valuable metals from manufacturing residues, thereby reducing waste and improving the utilisation of secondary resources. The initiative aims to reduce dependence on primary mineral resources and strengthen domestic supply chains for critical metals. By developing effective recovery technologies, the three organisations seek to support sustainable manufacturing and advance circular-economy practices in India.

Strengthening the Supply of Critical Metals

Nickel and cobalt are essential raw materials for several strategic and industrial applications, including advanced batteries, electric vehicles, stainless steel and superalloys. Recovering these metals from plant reverts could unlock additional value from manufacturing residues while improving the availability of important industrial materials. Consequently, the initiative could contribute to India’s efforts to strengthen domestic resource security and support growing demand from industrial and clean-energy sectors.

MIDHANI Highlights Commercial Potential

V. S. Narayana Murty, Chairman and Managing Director of MIDHANI, said the collaboration marked an important milestone in the company’s efforts to recover critical metals from secondary resources. He added that the three organisations would work together to develop viable, sustainable and commercially competitive solutions for nickel and cobalt recovery. As reported by psuwatch.com, through this partnership, MIDHANI, HWB and BARC aim to advance metal recovery technologies, improve resource efficiency and support the sustainable use of critical materials in India’s strategic manufacturing sector.

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is planning to establish a National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub to strengthen research and development (R&D) and accelerate the commercialisation of technologies across India’s oil and gas sector. Alok Tripathi, Joint Secretary at the ministry, announced the initiative on the sidelines of the 29th Energy Technology Meet (ETM) 2026 in Goa. The proposed hub aims to build a nationally coordinated research ecosystem that can transform promising technologies into commercially viable solutions across upstream, midstream and downstream operations.

Strengthening Oil and Gas Technology Development

The National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub will focus on bridging the gap between research and industrial application. By promoting coordinated research and technology development, the initiative seeks to help India’s oil and gas industry translate scientific advances into practical solutions. Furthermore, the hub is expected to support technology commercialisation across the hydrocarbon value chain, potentially improving operational efficiency and strengthening domestic technological capabilities.

Expanding Collaboration with Academic Institutions

To advance research collaboration, the ministry has signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT). These partnerships aim to expand research engagement and strengthen cooperation between academia and the oil and gas industry. Consequently, the proposed hub could provide a coordinated platform for developing and commercialising technologies that address the sector’s evolving operational and technical challenges. As reported by projectstoday.ai, through this initiative, the ministry aims to strengthen India’s hydrocarbon technology ecosystem and accelerate the adoption of homegrown innovations across the energy sector.

India requires approximately $220 billion in clean energy investment over the next three years to support its target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation capacity by 2030, a senior government official said on Wednesday. Santosh Kumar Sarangi, a senior official at the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, said the investment would support the expansion of solar and wind power, battery energy storage, green hydrogen and electricity transmission infrastructure.

India Accelerates Non-Fossil Fuel Capacity Expansion

India currently has approximately 308 GW of non-fossil fuel power generation capacity. Achieving the 500 GW target by 2030 will require substantial investment in renewable energy generation, energy storage and supporting infrastructure. The target forms part of India’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions and achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. Consequently, accelerating clean energy deployment and mobilising long-term financing remain key priorities for the country.

Clean Energy Sector Attracts Domestic and Foreign Investment

Between 2024 and 2026, India’s clean energy sector attracted approximately US$64 billion in private investment, including US$6.2 billion from foreign investors. During the same period, the government invested an additional US$6 billion, Sarangi said. Furthermore, the government has awarded numerous clean energy project tenders in recent years to accelerate renewable energy deployment. However, around 40 GW of clean energy projects are yet to secure customers, highlighting the challenges associated with project offtake and market demand. The official did not specify how the proposed US$220 billion investment would be distributed between public and private funding or allocated across different clean energy technologies.

Solar, Wind and Energy Storage Drive Investment Needs

India’s clean energy expansion will require coordinated investment across several areas, including solar and wind power generation, battery energy storage systems, green hydrogen production and transmission networks. Energy storage and transmission infrastructure will play an important role in integrating renewable electricity into the grid and managing fluctuations in solar and wind power generation. Meanwhile, green hydrogen could help decarbonise industrial sectors that are difficult to electrify directly. Therefore, mobilising the required capital will be essential to expanding renewable energy capacity and strengthening the reliability of India’s power system.

India Develops Green Ammonia Export Opportunities

Alongside domestic renewable energy development, India is also advancing opportunities in green hydrogen derivatives, including green ammonia. According to Sarangi, the country has developed a market representing approximately 550,000 tonnes of green ammonia demand from overseas buyers, including Japan and South Korea. Green ammonia is produced using hydrogen generated with renewable electricity. It can support industrial decarbonisation and serve as a potential low-carbon fuel and energy carrier. These emerging export opportunities could strengthen India’s clean energy ambitions while creating new markets for renewable power, green hydrogen and associated technologies. As reported by esgnews.com, as India works towards its 2030 capacity target, sustained investment, stronger project demand and the expansion of supporting infrastructure will be critical to accelerating the country’s energy transition.

The Robotics Research Center (RRC) at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) demonstrated a vision-based navigation system developed through a three-year collaboration with Ati Robotics. The technology enables autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to navigate factory environments using cameras, visual data and artificial intelligence (AI), offering an alternative to conventional LiDAR-based mapping approaches.

During a recent demonstration at Ati Robotics’ factory, an AMR successfully navigated to a designated object using images captured during an earlier walkthrough. The system employed a 3D foundational model to derive geometric information from pairs of images. Unlike conventional navigation systems, this demonstration did not depend on LiDAR occupancy grids, scan-matched positioning or metric maps.

Exploring Landmark-Based Robot Navigation

Traditionally, robots use LiDAR sensors to map their surroundings and estimate their positions through simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM). However, the IIIT-H research team explored an alternative approach that relies on visual information and recognisable landmarks to guide robot movement.

The system uses sparse localisation to represent an environment through a limited number of reference points. Outdoors, these landmarks could include buildings, traffic signals and trees. In warehouses and factories, robots could recognise doors, lifts and designated storage areas to estimate their locations and navigate between destinations.

Explaining the approach, Prof. Madhava Krishna highlighted how humans use visual cues, memory and movement to navigate their surroundings. Rather than relying on precise three-dimensional coordinates, people continuously adjust their routes, avoid obstacles and respond to changing conditions. The research aims to bring similar adaptability to autonomous robot navigation.

Image-Based Navigation Guides Robot Movement

The team also investigated image-based navigation, which directs robots towards specific points in images rather than relying exclusively on precise spatial coordinates. In this approach, an AI model compares two images of the same environment to identify corresponding points and estimate their three-dimensional positions. It then generates a cost image that helps the robot evaluate possible movement directions and select an appropriate path.

Consequently, the robot can navigate towards specific destinations, such as pallets and docking stations, without depending on conventional three-dimensional coordinate maps. This approach could simplify navigation in industrial environments where visual landmarks provide sufficient information for movement and positioning.

Research Advances Towards Industrial Deployment

The research team has developed a navigation framework that integrates mapping, localisation, planning and control through the relative connectivity of image segments. “We built a navigation stack that defines mapping, localisation, planning and control simply through relative connectivity of image segments,” said Prof. Sourav Garg of the Robotics Research Center. The research has been presented at leading robotics and AI research forums, including the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, the Conference on Robot Learning and the Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems.

Ati Robotics Adapts Research for Warehouse Applications

IIIT-H has transferred the research code to Ati Robotics for further testing and potential deployment in warehouse robotics. The company has also adapted elements of the research into OccupancyReact, a LiDAR-based variant designed to complement its existing deployed solutions. Prof. Garg explained that the navigation framework’s modular design enables researchers to improve their RGB-only navigation approach while allowing Ati Robotics to integrate selected components into its own technology stack. This flexibility could help accelerate the development of autonomous mobile robots for industrial applications. As reported by manufacturingtodayindia.com, by combining visual intelligence with adaptable navigation architectures, the collaboration aims to advance robotic mobility and support more flexible automation across factories and warehouses.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) to invest an additional $1.8 billion in its Mozambique gas project over the next two years, taking its total investment, including exploration, to $4.5–4.6 billion. A senior company executive confirmed the investment plan as BPCL advances the project to strengthen its upstream portfolio and secure long-term natural gas supplies. As of September 2026, the project was 47% complete, with gas production expected to begin by mid-2028. “We are expecting gas production by mid-2028,” said V. R. K. Gupta, Director (Finance), BPCL.

BPCL Advances Project Development and Financing

BPCL has already invested approximately $2.8 billion in the Mozambique project. A consortium of eight to nine lenders is financing the development, with interest rates ranging from 6% to 9%, depending on the lender and financing terms. The investment represents a significant step in BPCL’s efforts to expand its overseas energy assets and diversify its natural gas supply sources.

Company Targets Marketing of One Million Tons of Gas

BPCL has signed a sale and purchase agreement to bring one million tons per annum (mtpa) of natural gas from Mozambique to India. The company has also started marketing these volumes to prospective customers. According to Gupta, BPCL expects to complete marketing agreements for the entire 1 mtpa over the next two to three quarters. The first phase of the project will include two liquefaction trains with a combined capacity of 13 mtpa. BPCL holds a 10% stake in the project, corresponding to an expected entitlement of approximately 1.3 mtpa from the initial phase. The development could expand through additional liquefaction trains, depending on the performance and outcome of the first phase. With further expansion, BPCL’s share of gas production could increase to 4.2–4.5 mtpa.

BPCL’s Brazil Project Progresses as Scheduled

In addition to its Mozambique investment, BPCL is pursuing an upstream oil and gas project in Brazil. The company’s BM-C-11 project is progressing as scheduled following the award of a tender for a floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel in mid-2026. This development supports BPCL’s broader strategy of expanding its international exploration and production portfolio.

Capital Expenditure Target Remains on Track

BPCL continues to advance its broader capital expenditure programme, with a target of ₹25,000 crore for the current financial year, FY2026–27. As reported by clubofmozambique, the company spent ₹13,749 crore during the first half of FY27, including ₹9,300 crore in the September quarter. Depending on project progress, total capital expenditure could slightly exceed the annual target, Gupta said.

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), one of India’s leading integrated energy companies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore long-term cooperation in advanced industrial lubricants, specialty fluid technologies and related applications in India. The agreement was signed between LANXESS India Private Limited and BPCL. The proposed partnership aims to develop innovative lubricant solutions, strengthen product localization, support original equipment manufacturer (OEM) approvals and deliver long-term value to customers across India’s industrial sectors.

Collaboration to Develop High-Performance Lubricants

Under the MoU, LANXESS and BPCL will explore opportunities to develop, evaluate, qualify and commercialize advanced industrial lubricants, additive technologies and specialty products.

Key areas of potential collaboration include:

High-performance bearing and circulating oils

Premium hydraulic fluids and turbine oils

Refrigeration lubricants and rust preventive oils

Specialty greases and industrial additive packages

Immersion cooling fluids for data centres

Environmentally acceptable lubricants

Lubricant solutions for emerging industrial technologies

Through these initiatives, both companies aim to address evolving industrial requirements while supporting the development of high-performance lubrication technologies.

Combining Global Expertise with Domestic Market Reach

The collaboration will bring together LANXESS’s global expertise in lubricant additives, formulation capabilities and OEM relationships with BPCL’s domestic market presence, base oil portfolio, manufacturing infrastructure and extensive customer network. Furthermore, the companies will explore product localization, joint technical evaluations, field trials, OEM engagement, knowledge exchange and future commercialization opportunities. These initiatives will remain subject to applicable approvals and definitive agreements.

Exploring Sustainable and Next-Generation Technologies

As per the press release, beyond conventional industrial lubricants, the partnership will also evaluate opportunities in emerging and sustainable technologies. Potential areas include bio-based lubricants, electric vehicle (EV) fluids, hydrogen economy applications, specialty refrigeration fluids, personal care ingredients and immersion cooling solutions for data centres. These technologies could support evolving performance, sustainability and cooling requirements across industrial and digital infrastructure applications.

LANXESS Highlights Customer-Focused Innovation

Karam Faddoul, Head of Sales IMEA, Business Unit Lubricant Additives, LANXESS, said the collaboration would help bring localized, high-performance lubricant solutions closer to Indian customers while supporting their growth through greater speed and reliability. Neelanjan Banerjee, Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Business Unit Lubricant Additives, LANXESS, described the MoU as an important step towards strengthening cooperation between the two companies.

He emphasized that combining LANXESS’s global technology platform, formulation expertise and OEM engagement capabilities with BPCL’s manufacturing strength and market presence could accelerate the development and commercialization of high-performance lubricant solutions for Indian industry.

BPCL Lubes R&D Emphasizes Joint Research and Development

Kannan S, Business Head, BPCL, highlighted the importance of collaboration between LANXESS and BPCL’s Lubes Research and Development (R&D) team in advancing lubricant technologies through joint research, innovation and development. He noted that combining LANXESS’s global expertise in lubricant additives and formulation technologies with BPCL Lubes R&D’s application knowledge, technical capabilities and understanding of Indian customer requirements would help address current industrial needs and emerging technological challenges. According to him, the complementary partnership could strengthen both companies’ capabilities, accelerate technology development and enable them to deliver differentiated, high-performance and future-ready lubricant solutions for evolving industrial applications.

Toyochem Specialty Chemical Sdn. Bhd., a member of Japan’s artience Group, received Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Codex Alimentarius Commission certification for its food packaging manufacturing processes. The certification covers Category I: Production of Packaging Material and applies to the company’s portfolio of water-based coatings. Additionally, TÜV NORD CERT GmbH confirmed the renewal of the company’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification in August 2026. Together, these certifications reinforce Toyochem Specialty Chemical’s commitment to food safety, product quality and manufacturing excellence.

Strengthening Food Safety and Quality Management

The dual certifications strengthen Toyochem Specialty Chemical’s quality management framework. While GMP certification supports operational hygiene and consistent manufacturing practices, HACCP provides a systematic, preventive approach to identifying, evaluating and controlling potential food safety hazards. Consequently, these certifications enhance the company’s ability to meet the stringent safety and quality requirements of food-contact packaging applications. They also help build confidence among packaging manufacturers and brand owners as the company expands its presence in the global food packaging market.

Water-Based Coatings for Sustainable Packaging

Toyochem Specialty Chemical offers water-based coatings designed to provide functional and sustainable alternatives to conventional polyethylene (PE) lamination and extrusion. Its FC, VTR and HSL series are covered under the certifications.

– FC Series: Provides high oil and water resistance for applications such as lunch boxes, burger wraps and paper cups. Selected grades also support heat-sealing applications.

– VTR Series: Delivers water vapour barrier performance, helping preserve product freshness in packaging applications such as paper pouches.

– HSL Series: Functions as a food-compliant primer that improves lay-flat properties and helps minimise leakage at creases and folds.

These coating technologies enable packaging manufacturers to explore paper-based packaging solutions with enhanced functional performance while addressing sustainability and food safety requirements.

Enhancing Material Safety and Contamination Control

For packaging manufacturers and brand owners, the certifications provide assurance that Toyochem Specialty Chemical’s water-based coatings are manufactured under a structured food safety management system with defined control measures to address potential contamination hazards. Robin Loke, Technical Director at Toyochem Specialty Chemical, said that HACCP certification directly addresses customers’ growing demand for high standards of material safety. He also acknowledged the contribution of employees across departments and emphasised the company’s commitment to continually improving its standards to help customers meet food safety and regulatory compliance requirements. As per the press release, through these certifications, Toyochem Specialty Chemical aims to strengthen customer confidence, support safer food packaging and expand opportunities for its water-based coating technologies in global markets.

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has won two national awards for indigenous technology development and refinery innovation at the 29th Energy Technology and Innovation Meet (ETM 2026), held at ATI–ONGC in Goa.

The Centre for High Technology (CHT), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, instituted the awards under its Innovation Awards 2025–26 programme. The recognition highlights MRPL’s efforts to develop homegrown technologies, improve refinery operations and strengthen India’s domestic technological capabilities.

MRPL Recognised for Two Indigenous Technologies

MRPL received awards in two categories:

Best Indigenously Developed Technology: For its KARVE IBB technology.

Best Innovation in Refinery: For its REVEAL™ FCC system.

These achievements underscore the company’s commitment to indigenous research and development, process innovation and digital transformation. They also support the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat by encouraging the development and deployment of technologies within India.

KARVE IBB Technology Advances Pharmaceutical Intermediate Production

MRPL bagged the Best Indigenously Developed Technology award for its KARVE IBB process, which manufactures isobutyl benzene, a chemical intermediate used in pharmaceutical production. The development marks MRPL’s entry into the production of high-value pharmaceutical intermediates using domestically developed process technology. Furthermore, it demonstrates how indigenous engineering and process innovation can strengthen India’s capabilities in specialised chemical manufacturing. By developing this technology in-house, MRPL is contributing to domestic manufacturing expertise and expanding the potential applications of refinery-linked chemical technologies.

REVEAL™ FCC System Enhances Refinery Process Optimisation

MRPL received the Best Innovation in Refinery award for its REVEAL™ FCC system, an indigenous, closed-loop, real-time optimiser designed to improve refinery process performance. The system uses digital technology to support real-time process optimisation and more efficient refinery operations. Its recognition highlights MRPL’s efforts to integrate digital solutions into industrial processes and strengthen operational performance through technology-driven management. As refiners increasingly adopt digital tools to improve efficiency and process control, such innovations can play an important role in advancing the technological capabilities of India’s petroleum refining sector.

Fifth Consecutive Year of National Innovation Recognition

According to MRPL, the latest awards mark the fifth consecutive occasion on which the company has received national recognition for innovation at major Government of India platforms, including the Energy Technology Meet and India Energy Week. This continued recognition reflects MRPL’s focus on developing indigenous technologies and implementing innovative solutions across its operations.

As reported by indianmasterminds.com, MRPL’s achievements at ETM 2026 highlight the growing importance of indigenous research, advanced process technologies and digitalisation in India’s petroleum refining industry. By advancing specialised chemical production and real-time refinery optimisation, the company continues to contribute to domestic technological development and the broader goal of building a more self-reliant energy sector.

STEER World, a global player in advanced materials platform technologies and engineering solutions, bagged the CBG Equipment Manufacturer award at the 6th India Green Energy Awards (IGEA) 2026. The recognition highlights the company’s contribution to India’s compressed biogas (CBG) sector through indigenous engineering and innovative biomass processing technologies. Nitin Gupta, Global CEO and Executive Director of STEER World, received the award.

netiBIO Technology Addresses Biomass Processing Challenges

The award marks an important milestone in STEER World’s development of equipment for the CBG industry. Over the past 18 months, the company has focused on improving the processing of fibrous agricultural residues before they enter biogas digesters. Its proprietary netiBIO technology plays a central role in this effort. STEER reports that more than 130 processing lines are under execution, with over half already operational. Biomass pretreatment remains a major challenge for CBG developers, particularly when processing agricultural residues such as paddy straw and Napier grass. Variations in fibre structure, moisture content, silica levels and abrasive properties can affect processing efficiency, equipment reliability and overall plant performance.

Moreover, inadequate pretreatment can cause digester blockages, reduce conversion efficiency and limit biogas output. STEER has therefore developed its solutions around the characteristics of Indian biomass, combining materials expertise, equipment engineering and specialised metallurgy to address these operational challenges.

Industrial-Scale Equipment Improves Biomass Processing

STEER’s netiBIO portfolio includes a Napier grass processing line with a capacity exceeding 12 tonnes per hour. This installation demonstrates the technology’s ability to handle challenging agricultural feedstock at an industrial scale. The company focuses on improving processing efficiency and equipment reliability to help CBG developers manage difficult feedstocks more effectively. These capabilities can support smoother plant operations and improve the commercial viability of biomass-to-biogas projects.

STEER World Highlights Engineering and Customer Collaboration

Nitin Gupta, Global CEO and Executive Director of STEER World, said the award reflects the company’s progress in addressing a fundamental challenge in India’s CBG ecosystem. He explained that processing agricultural residues efficiently requires more than conventional equipment. Instead, it demands a detailed understanding of material behaviour and the practical operating conditions of CBG plants across India.

Gupta also highlighted the role of engineering development, on-site learning and customer collaboration in advancing netiBIO technology. With more than 130 processing lines under execution and over half already operational, the company believes it is making progress towards more efficient, reliable and commercially viable biomass processing. He further acknowledged the contribution of STEER’s engineering and site teams, whose efforts have supported the development and deployment of the technology.

On-Site Engineering Supports Reliable Operations

Deploying biomass processing equipment in rural locations presents additional challenges, particularly where established industrial infrastructure and technical support may be limited. To address these requirements, STEER’s engineering and service teams work closely with project developers to resolve site-specific issues, manage commissioning complexities and support operational performance. This hands-on approach helps the company adapt its solutions to local conditions and the practical requirements of individual CBG projects.

Supporting India’s Compressed Biogas Industry

As India expands its clean energy capacity and encourages the productive use of agricultural residues, dependable biomass processing technologies will become increasingly important. Efficient pretreatment can help CBG plants improve feedstock handling, maintain reliable operations and strengthen project economics. As per the press release, through continued innovation and deployment of its netiBIO technology, STEER World aims to support a more efficient and scalable compressed biogas ecosystem in India. The India Green Energy Award 2026 recognises the company’s efforts to advance indigenous engineering solutions for the country’s growing renewable energy sector.