CHEMCONNECT 2026: Centre of excellence on biodegradable packaging materials inaugurated at IIT Madras

New Delhi: The Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, organised the first edition of CHEMCONNECT 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on August 25, bringing together industry leaders, researchers, entrepreneurs, start-ups and academic institutions to strengthen collaboration and innovation in the chemical sector.

More than 200 participants from industry, academia, start-ups and research institutions attended the event, including representatives from Centres of Excellence established by the Department.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Tejveer Singh, Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, as the chief guest, along with Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras; Dr. G. Venkatesh, Joint Secretary, DCPC; Prof. Shishir Sinha, Director General, CIPET; and Prof. Ethayaraja Mani, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras.

A key highlight of CHEMCONNECT 2026 was the inauguration of the Centre of Excellence on Biodegradable Packaging Materials (BioPack) at IIT Madras by Secretary Tejveer Singh.

The new facility is intended to serve as a hub for sustainable innovation, capacity building and advanced research in biodegradable and eco-friendly packaging materials.

The Centre is expected to support the development of sustainable packaging solutions while strengthening research and industry linkages in the sector.

Addressing the gathering, Tejveer Singh highlighted the importance of the chemical sector as a foundational industry supporting a wide range of manufacturing activities.

He stressed the need for stronger industry-academia partnerships to ensure that research conducted in laboratories is translated into commercially viable products.

The Secretary also emphasised the importance of import substitution and domestic processing to strengthen India's self-reliance. He said targeted research and development, supported by industry-backed research clusters, could help Indian companies expand their global presence.

Singh also announced that CHEMCONNECT will be organised annually during July-August to review and benchmark progress across the Centres of Excellence.

Prof. V. Kamakoti highlighted the role of institutional collaboration in taking research and technology from development to practical applications.

He also assured the chemical sector of IIT Madras's support through a reverse-pitching approach, under which industry partners can present specific technological and operational challenges to research institutions for collaborative solutions.

Dr. G. Venkatesh outlined the broader vision behind the Department's Centres of Excellence initiative, while Prof. Shishir Sinha highlighted its alignment with national development priorities.

Prof. Ethayaraja Mani, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Madras, coordinated the event and delivered the welcome address and vote of thanks.

During the event, the Secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, along with the Director of IIT Madras, also released the CHEMCONNECT 2026 compendium.

The annual platform is expected to provide a structured forum for industry, academia, start-ups and research institutions to exchange ideas, identify technology gaps and build partnerships around emerging opportunities in the chemical and materials sectors.

The launch of the BioPack Centre of Excellence at IIT Madras marks a further step towards developing sustainable packaging technologies and strengthening India's research and innovation ecosystem in advanced materials.