Odisha is actively courting global investors to build a competitive chemicals and petrochemicals ecosystem, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told industry leaders at the CEO Roundtable of India Chem 2026 in Mumbai on 22 October 2026.
The session was chaired by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda.
Speaking after the inaugural session, Majhi outlined the state’s ambition to shift from a mineral-driven economy toward a chemical-driven industrial base. He pointed to Odisha’s deep-draft ports, the 15 MMTPA Paradip Refinery, strong feedstock availability, an established metals and mining sector, reliable utilities, and access to domestic and export markets as core advantages.
“The state is committed to partnering with companies across the entire investment lifecycle—from site selection and infrastructure planning to statutory approvals, project implementation and commercial production,” the Chief Minister said.
Strategic Locations and Ready Infrastructure
Majhi identified Paradip, Dhamra and Gopalpur as preferred sites for port-oriented industries, while Angul and Dhenkanal suit projects that need proximity to metals, coal, power and inland industrial demand. Team Odisha and IPICOL will work with investors to match locations to specific requirements for feedstock, utilities, logistics and operational infrastructure.
The Paradip Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Indian Oil’s refinery and petrochemical complex, and the Plastic Park at Paradip already provide a foundation for downstream manufacturing in polymers, packaging, technical textiles and related products. The state is also developing common effluent treatment plants, logistics and storage facilities, utility corridors, pipeline connectivity and deep-sea discharge systems.
Locations with pre-approved environmental clearance, including at Gopalpur, are expected to shorten project timelines. The government will coordinate Environmental Clearance, Consent to Establish and Consent to Operate through a whole-of-government approach involving the Industries Department, IPICOL, IDCO and the State Pollution Control Board.
Majhi reiterated Odisha’s policy of extending a “red carpet to red-category industries” while ensuring transparency, safety and environmental compliance.
Target Segments and Ongoing Projects
The Chief Minister invited investments in coal-to-chemicals, coal-gasification derivatives, specialty chemicals, fluorochemicals, battery materials, advanced polymers, refrigerants and green-chemical value chains. Emerging green hydrogen and green ammonia opportunities at Gopalpur further strengthen the proposition.
Several projects are already advancing. SRF Limited’s proposed unit at Gopalpur has received Environmental Clearance, UPL Limited is progressing its investment plans, and Deepak Nitrite’s facility at Gopalpur is nearing inauguration. Talcher Fertilizers and BCCGL are developing coal-to-chemicals projects, illustrating the potential for higher-value manufacturing and stronger industrial linkages.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) Hemant Sharma emphasised investor-focused facilitation: “Odisha offers a strong proposition combining strategic port connectivity, a substantial industrial base, resource availability and significant opportunities for downstream value addition. We invite industry leaders to partner with us in building a competitive, technology-driven and responsible chemicals ecosystem.”
International Engagement and Call to Action
Following the roundtable, the Odisha delegation participated in the India–US and India–EU Chemicals and Petrochemicals forums, focusing on technology partnerships, sustainable manufacturing and supply-chain resilience. IPICOL Managing Director Aboli Sunil Naravane joined these discussions. The team also visited the India Chem 2026 exhibition and held one-on-one meetings with industry leaders in chemicals, textiles and agro-processing.
Majhi urged prospective investors to engage with Team Odisha and IPICOL, share their requirements for land, feedstock, utilities and approvals, and develop project-specific facilitation plans. The goal, he said, is to convert investment interest into operational capacity and strengthen Odisha’s contribution to India’s emergence as a globally competitive chemicals and petrochemicals manufacturing hub.
