Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government presented a compelling investment proposition for the chemicals and petrochemicals sector at the CEO Roundtable of India Chem 2026 in Mumbai on Thursday.

The roundtable was chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Participating in the roundtable, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi invited industry leaders to establish manufacturing facilities and expand downstream operations in Odisha.  

Majhi outlined Odisha’s ambition to transform from a mineral-driven economy towards a chemical-driven industrial economy. He highlighted the state’s strategic port connectivity, refinery infrastructure, industrial feedstock, established metals and mineral-based industries, reliable utilities and access to domestic and international markets as key advantages for prospective investors.

The Chief Minister emphasised Odisha’s commitment to partnering with companies across the investment lifecycle—from site selection and infrastructure planning to statutory approvals, project implementation and commercial production.

CM highlights Odisha’s strong industrial base

Odisha’s investment proposition is anchored in its deep-draft ports, the 15-million-tonne-per-annum (MMTPA) refinery at Paradip, expanding petrochemical opportunities and a strong base of industrial consumers. The state’s steel, aluminium, fertiliser and mining industries generate demand for industrial gases, process chemicals, coatings, refractories, water-treatment chemicals and specialty inputs, creating opportunities for downstream manufacturing and industrial supplier networks.

The Chief Minister identified Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur as potential locations for port-oriented industries, while Angul and Dhenkanal offer opportunities for projects requiring proximity to metals, coal, power and established inland industrial demand. Team Odisha will work with investors to identify suitable locations based on their requirements for feedstock, utilities, logistics and operational infrastructure.

The Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s refinery and petrochemical complex, and the Plastic Park at Paradip provide a foundation for expanding downstream manufacturing in polymers, packaging, technical textiles and related products.

Odisha has the required infra: CM  

Highlighting the importance of infrastructure readiness and predictable project timelines, the Chief Minister said the state was working to facilitate common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), logistics and storage facilities, utility corridors, pipeline connectivity and deep-sea discharge systems, depending on project requirements.

The government aims to coordinate statutory processes, including Environmental Clearance, Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate, through a whole-of-government approach involving the Industries Department, IPICOL, IDCO, the State Pollution Control Board and other concerned agencies. Locations with pre-approved environmental clearance, including at Gopalpur, can help reduce project turnaround time, subject to applicable statutory requirements.

The Chief Minister reiterated Odisha’s commitment to extending a “red carpet to red-category industries”, while maintaining transparency, safety and environmental compliance. The state’s approach is to provide an enabling environment for industrial investment alongside responsible and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Focus on specialty chemicals

The Chief Minister invited companies to explore investment opportunities in coal-to-chemicals, coal-gasification derivatives, specialty chemicals, fluorochemicals, battery materials, advanced polymers, refrigerants and green-chemical value chains. Emerging opportunities in green hydrogen and green ammonia at Gopalpur further complement Odisha’s industrial development ambitions.

The state’s resource base, industrial demand and port connectivity offer opportunities to strengthen domestic supply chains, promote import substitution, expand downstream value addition and develop globally competitive manufacturing capabilities.

The ongoing development of the sector includes SRF Limited’s proposed unit at Gopalpur, which has received Environmental Clearance; UPL Limited’s progressing investment plans; and Deepak Nitrite’s facility at Gopalpur, which is nearing inauguration. Talcher Fertilizers and BCCGL are also developing coal-to-chemicals projects in Odisha. These projects demonstrate the potential to deepen industrial linkages and expand higher-value manufacturing in the State.

Govt ready to facilitate investors

Industries Department Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma emphasised the importance of translating the state’s industrial advantages into implementable projects through coordinated government support, suitable industrial locations and infrastructure development.

“Odisha offers a strong proposition for chemical and petrochemical investments, combining strategic port connectivity, a substantial industrial base, resource availability and significant opportunities for downstream value addition. Our focus is to work closely with investors to identify suitable locations, address infrastructure and utility requirements, and facilitate statutory processes through a coordinated government approach. We invite industry leaders to partner with Odisha in building a competitive, technology-driven and responsible chemicals ecosystem that strengthens domestic manufacturing and creates long-term employment opportunities,” he said.

Cross-sector investment outreach

Following the roundtable, the Odisha delegation participated in the India–US and India–EU Chemicals and Petrochemicals forums, which addressed international cooperation, technology partnerships, sustainable manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. Aboli Sunil Naravane, Managing Director, IPICOL, participated in these engagements.

The discussions provided opportunities to explore collaboration in specialty chemicals, advanced materials, sustainable manufacturing technologies and downstream industries. Technology transfer, diversified sourcing and resilient supply chains emerged as relevant areas for strengthening long-term industrial competitiveness.

The delegation also visited the India Chem 2026 exhibition to engage with industry stakeholders and understand developments in specialty chemicals, petrochemicals, advanced materials and related manufacturing technologies.

As part of its wider investment outreach, the state held one-on-one interactions with industry leaders across chemicals and petrochemicals, textiles and apparel, and agro-processing. The engagements focused on downstream manufacturing, industrial expansion, value addition, processing capacity and stronger supply-chain linkages.

The Chief Minister called upon prospective investors to engage with Team Odisha and IPICOL, communicate their requirements for land, feedstock, utilities, common infrastructure and statutory approvals, and work towards developing project-specific facilitation plans.

Odisha aims to build an integrated chemicals and petrochemicals ecosystem that attracts new investments, strengthens downstream industries, promotes technology adoption and generates sustainable employment. Through direct industry engagement, infrastructure development and coordinated implementation support, the state seeks to translate investment interest into operational capacity and strengthen its contribution to India’s emergence as a globally competitive chemicals and petrochemicals manufacturing hub.