Refinery pilot plants: PQ bars mid-sized firms – 21 Aug 2025

This reflects a trend: IOCL R&D tenders in the last two years increasingly demand full automation, ATEX certification, and data integration. It mirrors global R&D norms where pilot plants are treated as near-commercial facilities. The tightening of PQ criteria suggests

IOCL wants only proven global suppliers, not local start-ups.

L&T, Zeton, ChemTech, Pfaudler are the kind of companies who will qualify

But by removing arbitration and mediation, the signalling is that disputes will be one-sided, a red flag for risk-averse bidders.