The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, organised the inaugural edition of CHEMCONNECT 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on 25th August 2026.
More than 200 leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs from industry, academia, start-ups and research institutions participated in the event. Representatives from the Centres of Excellence established by the Department were also in attendance.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Shri Tejveer Singh, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), as chief guest, along with Prof V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras; Dr. G. Venkatesh, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals; Prof. Shishir Sinha, Director General, CIPET; and Prof. Ethayaraja Mani, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras.
BioPack Centre Inaugurated at IIT Madras
Shri Tejveer Singh inaugurated CHEMCONNECT 2026 and launched the Centre of Excellence on Biodegradable Packaging Materials (BioPack) at IIT Madras.
The BioPack facility will focus on sustainable innovation, capacity building and advanced research related to eco-friendly packaging capabilities.
Focus on Industry-Academia Collaboration
Addressing the inaugural session, Shri Tejveer Singh emphasised the role of the chemical sector as a foundational driver supporting manufacturing segments across the economy.
He highlighted the importance of stronger industry-academia partnerships as India works towards achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047, particularly in translating laboratory research into commercially viable products.
The Secretary also stressed the need for import substitution, stating that goods must be processed domestically to support greater self-reliance. He expressed confidence that targeted R&D and industry-backed research clusters would contribute to expanding India’s global footprint.
Sh. Singh further announced that CHEMCONNECT will become an annual fixture held every July–August to benchmark progress across all the Centres of Excellence.
IIT Madras to Support Chemical Sector
Speaking at the event, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of institutional synergies in taking technology to its logical fruition.
He also assured full support to the chemical sector through reverse pitching, where industry presents its problems to research institutions.
Dr. G. Venkatesh, Joint Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, outlined the vision behind the Centre of Excellence scheme.
Prof. Shishir Sinha, Director General, CIPET, highlighted the initiative’s alignment with national development goals.
Prof. Ethayaraja Mani of IIT Madras, who coordinated the event, delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks.
The Secretary, DCPC, along with the Director, IIT Madras, also released the CHEMCONNECT 2026 compendium during the event.