Chandigarh/SAS Nagar: During the Progressive Punjab Investment Summit 2026, the Punjab Government highlighted its strong commitment to promoting sustainable industrial growth, innovation and global investment in emerging sectors such as plastics and specialty chemicals.
Addressing the session, Punjab’s Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that plastic and chemical products have become an integral part of modern life, supporting several sectors including healthcare, education, household use and industry. She noted that these products have helped reduce manual labour and improved efficiency in day-to-day life.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that increased investment in the plastics and chemicals sector would create significant employment opportunities for youth and contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of the people.
Emphasising responsible usage, the Minister urged industries and research experts to focus on sustainable production systems, advanced recycling technologies and eco-friendly alternatives so that industrial progress goes hand in hand with environmental protection for future generations.
Highlighting the state’s industrial potential, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Punjab offers strong opportunities for investment in specialty chemicals, plastic recycling and the conversion of plastic waste into higher-value export-oriented products. She encouraged entrepreneurs and innovators to combine scientific research with Punjab’s spirit of innovation and practical ingenuity to develop environmentally sustainable solutions.
She added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to strengthening industrial infrastructure and developing industrial hubs in cities such as Ludhiana and Mohali, thereby creating a conducive ecosystem for research, innovation and sustainable manufacturing.
Priyank Bharti, IAS, Secretary, Science, Technology, Environment, Forests and Wildlife, Punjab, said that with strong industrial clusters, export-oriented enterprises and progressive policies, Punjab is steadily emerging as an important manufacturing base for plastics and chemicals. He added that the state government is encouraging investments in specialty chemicals, eco-friendly materials and sustainable plastic solutions while ensuring strict compliance with environmental standards.
Sagar Kaushik, President (Global Corporate and Industry Affairs), UPL Limited, highlighted the immense growth potential of the chemical sector. He noted that India currently accounts for only about 3–3.5 percent of global chemical production, which could increase to 12–13 percent in the coming years. He further informed that 93 percent of UPL’s production is exported while 7 percent caters to the domestic market, reflecting the vast global opportunities for Indian manufacturing.
Abhi Bansal, Managing Director of Saraswati Agro Chemicals Private Limited, said that Punjab has significant potential to transition from commodity-based chemicals to high-value specialty chemicals. He emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between industry, academic institutions and government to develop advanced products and technologies that can position Punjab more strongly in the global market.
Professor Anoop Verma, Head of the Department of Energy and Environment at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, highlighted Punjab’s strong academic ecosystem and its ability to support innovation in the specialty chemicals sector. He said that close collaboration between research institutions and industry can accelerate technology development and commercialization, enabling Punjab to emerge as an important centre for advanced chemical manufacturing and innovation.
