New Delhi, May 22 : At a time when global energy markets are navigating geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain recalibrations, decarbonisation mandates and the accelerating transition toward cleaner fuels, India’s refining sector is emerging as one of the most strategically important growth engines in the global downstream energy landscape. Against this backdrop, the 9th edition of the India Refining Summit, organised by Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India will convene the policymakers, refinery leaders, technologists, researchers and global energy stakeholders at The Lalit, New Delhi on 28 – 29 May 2026 under the theme: Future-ready refineries powering energy security and growth for Viksit Bharat.”
The summit comes at a time when geopolitical developments across West Asia, evolving sanctions regimes and changing global crude trade dynamics are reshaping energy markets worldwide. Recent shifts in global crude trade flows and evolving energy market dynamics have further reinforced the need for resilient refining infrastructure, diversified sourcing strategies and greater operational agility across the downstream sector.
As the world’s fastest growing major energy consumer, India is expected to continue driving global oil demand growth even as several mature economies witness plateauing fuel consumption. Simultaneously, refineries worldwide are under pressure to transform traditional fuel-focused operations into integrated, digitally enabled and lower-carbon energy complexes. India’s refining industry sits at the centre of this transformation.
From capacity expansions and petrochemical integration to green hydrogen, bio-refining, digital twins, AI-enabled operations and carbon management strategies, the summit will examine how Indian refineries are preparing for a future shaped equally by energy security and sustainability imperatives.
The conference arrives at a crucial juncture for the sector. India’s refining capacity is projected to cross 310 MMTPA by 2030, supported by large scale investments across publica and private sector enterprise. At the same time, refiners are increasingly shifting toward petrochemical integration to improve margins and reduce the exposure to cyclical transportation fuel demand.
The Indian refining summit in 2026 will reflect these evolving industry priorities through high-level strategic dialogues and technical knowledge exchanges involving government representatives, regulators refineries EPC Leaders, energy economists, researchers and technology providers from India and international markets.
The summit is expected to witness participation from senior representatives of government bodies, several leading organisations and research institutions and global technology companies, include, Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), NITI Aayog, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, Carbon Markets Association of India, Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research–Indian Institute Of Petroleum, IIT Roorkee, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Adani Petrochemicals, Engineers India, Nayara Energy, Reliance Industries and more.
Speaking about the significance of the summit, Mr Raj Manek, Executive Director & Board Member, Messe Frankfurt Asia Holdings Ltd, shared:
“The global refining industry is entering a defining phase where energy security, sustainability and technological transformation are no longer separate conversations but deeply interconnected priorities. India today stands at a unique position with the scale, investment, momentum and policy vision to shape the future of downstream energy in the region. The India Refining Summit has evolved into a strategic industry platform that brings together policymakers, refiners, technology leaders and innovators to collectively discuss the future direction of the sector. Through this edition we aim encourage meaningful industry dialogue around resilient, efficient and future-ready refining ecosystems aligned with India’s long term growth ambition.”
Key industry discussions are expected to revolve around refinery modernisation, digitalisation and autonomous operations hydrogen integration, carbon capture and utilisation, sustainable aviation fuel, biofuels, industrial safety, process optimisation and indigenous innovation aligned with India’s “Make in India” ambition. The summit will feature technical presentations and research-led sessions showcasing practical case studies, operational innovations and emerging technologies being implemented across refineries and petrochemical complexes.
A strong emphasis will also be placed on digital transformation of refineries increasingly adopting AI, machine learning, predictive analytics and digital twins to improve reliability, optimise throughput, reduce downtime and strengthen operational resilience. Experts believe such technologies will become critical as refineries balance cost competitiveness with increasingly stringent environmental and efficiency expectations.
Another major focus area will be the role of hydrogen and low-carbon technologies in the future refining ecosystem. As India advances its clean energy and net-zero ambitions, refineries are expected to play a pivotal role in scaling green hydrogen adoption, cleaner fuel pathways and carbon reduction strategies while ensuring supply stability for a rapidly expanding economy.
Over the year, the India Refining Summit has established itself as a leading industry platform for the downstream oil and gas sector, bringing together decision-makers from across the value chain for strategic networking, technology partnerships and policy-led discussions.
With participation expected from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other global markets the 2026 edition is anticipated to further strengthen India’s positioning as a major hub for downstream investments, sustainable refining technologies and energy transition partnerships.
As global energy systems continue to evolve, the conversations at the India Refining Summit 2026 are expected to offer critical perspectives on how refineries can remain commercially competitive, environmentally responsible and strategically resilient in the decades ahead.