MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday proposed a dedicated policy for the chemical industry and the creation of plug-and-play manufacturing hubs as part of a roadmap to position Maharashtra as a global chemicals hub.Speaking at a CEO roundtable organised by the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) during the India Chemical Industry Outlook Conference in Mumbai, Fadnavis interacted with more than 100 CEOs from Indian and multinational chemical and petrochemical companies.
The chief minister said the state’s chemical sector already contributes nearly 10% to Maharashtra’s industrial GDP and assured industry leaders that the govt would actively support its growth through policy interventions and infrastructure development. He proposed that the state govt work with ICC to formulate a new policy defining the future of the sector, including the creation of chemical parks, improved infrastructure and a clear investment roadmap.Fadnavis also suggested developing plug-and-play chemical manufacturing hubs modelled on facilities such as those at Dahej in Gujarat. He stressed the need for stronger industry–academia collaboration for skill development, proposing partnerships with institutions such as Institute of Chemical Technology and ITIs.The roundtable, moderated by ICC vice-president Samir Somaiah and additional vice-president Jayant Dhobley, focused on strengthening India’s global competitiveness in the chemicals sector, building resilient supply chains and accelerating the transition to sustainable manufacturing.A presentation by McKinsey & Company highlighted the strategic importance of the chemicals industry to India’s economic growth. Industry leaders at the meeting said India’s chemical sector is at a critical inflection point and has the potential to significantly expand its role in global value chains amid shifting geopolitical and supply-chain dynamics.Participants underlined the need for policy stability, reliable feedstock supply, research and innovation, and stronger industry–government collaboration to unlock the sector’s growth potential.ICC president Ramya Bharathram said platforms such as the CEO roundtable enable meaningful dialogue between policymakers and industry leaders and help shape a shared roadmap for the sector’s future.The annual conference organised by ICC brings together policymakers, global CEOs, technology providers and industry experts to discuss the outlook and emerging opportunities for the chemical industry.
