Chemicals News Today

India's OMCs push liquid LPG cylinders for 4 million commercial users to cut fuel losses. This shift could save ₹21,900 crore and 1.46 million tonnes of gas annually by eliminating 1kg residue per cylinder.

Maharashtra government established district-level committees to strengthen LPG supply chain monitoring statewide. This proactive measure ensures uninterrupted distribution for domestic, commercial, and essential services amid global geopolitical uncertainties, prioritizing vulnerable sectors.

European MEK prices more than doubled in three months, but falling Chinese prices, with OTC dropping to ~€1000/tonne, question their sustainability. Cost increases alone don't justify the surge, suggesting a likely correction soon.

Scimplify, a specialty chemicals startup, will raise Rs 181 Cr ($19.05M) in Series C funding led by Hitachi Ventures, boosting its valuation by 114% to Rs 2,323 Cr. Funds are for expansion.

Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals (GNFC) has increased Ethyl Acetate prices by ₹3,000 per metric ton. New rates for immediate tanker supply stand at ₹88,000/MT (₹89,050/MT for 30 days), while drum supply is updated to ₹97,000/MT (₹98,150/MT for 30 days). Final pricing remains applicable at the time of Delivery Instructions (DI).

Effective 16 July 2026, the zero Basic Customs Duty (BCD) exemption on 40 notified polymers and petrochemicals—including PP, PE, PVC, and Methanol—has expired. The reinstatement of the 7.5% BCD will increase landed import costs for commodity polymers, potentially shifting a relative cost advantage toward imports from India's FTA partner nations.

Maharashtra's synthetic milk racket was busted, with 13 arrested and Rs 1.48 crore in chemicals seized. An estimated 2.3 crore litres of dangerous fake milk, made from detergent and palm oil, reached the market, posing severe health risks.

India is boosting coal gasification with a ₹37,500 crore incentive to gasify 100 MT coal by 2030, aiming for ₹60,000-₹90,000 crore annual import savings. This strategic shift enhances energy and chemical security.

Himadri invests Rs 70 Cr for a 200 MTPA CNT plant (Q4 FY27) and Rs 170 Cr for a 6,000 MTPA SSCB project (Q4 FY28). A 200 MTPA anode facility is commissioned, and LFP cathode expansion boosts speciality materials.

India's customs duty exemption on 40 critical petrochemical products expired on July 15, reinstating a 7.5% duty. The waiver, initially from April 2 to June 30, was not extended, impacting supply amid renewed Middle East tensions.