Indian dyes giant Kiri Industries eyes investment in Philippine green metals sector

From L-R: Suresh Gondalia, Company Secretary, Kiri Industries Limited; Commercial Counsellor Jollan Llaneza, PTIC Jakarta/Delhi; Undersecretary Charlito Martin R. Mendoza, DOF; Undersecretary Maria Dorotan, DOF; Secretary Cristina Roque, DTI; Secretary Frederick Go, SAPIEA; Manish Kiri, Chairman and Managing Director, Kiri Industries Limited; Julito Sarmiento, Chairman and President, Makilala Mining Company Inc.; Ambassador Josel Ignacio, Philippine Embassy in Delhi; Ranjit Singh Chugh, CEO, Indo Asia Copper Limited; Nesal Shah, Chief Financial Officer, Indo Asia Copper Limited; Hemil Kiri, Head of Supply Chain, Indo Asia Copper Limited (DTI photo)

Indian dyes and chemicals company Kiri Industries Limited (KIL) is exploring the prospect of expanding in the Philippines through an integrated copper smelting, refining, and fertilizer production facility, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

In a statement, the DTI said KIL expressed its interest in investing in the country during a meeting between President Marcos and the company’s senior executives in Bengaluru, India.

The facility is expected to complement the agency’s green metals initiative, which leverages the country’s mineral resources to develop sustainable processing industries that support the global shift to clean energy.

DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said the proposed investment has the potential to become a “legacy” project for the country.

Aside from driving national growth, she said the project would also push forward the development of rural communities.

“Once realized, the investment is expected to strengthen the critical minerals value chain while simultaneously providing direct benefits to the local agricultural industry,” said Roque.

According to the DTI, KIL said the country is the ideal environment for a long-term venture.

Based on its website, KIL is one of India’s largest manufacturers and exporters of dyes, intermediates, and chemicals. Since its establishment in 1998, it has been a key player in the country’s specialty chemicals sector.

Roque named KIL as one of the parties to the 18 agreements with Indian companies that the Philippines signed during the Philippines-India Business Forum on Aug. 7.

The deals covered a wide range of industries, including information technology and business process management (IT-BPM), renewable energy, healthcare, manufacturing, mineral processing, real estate, and defense.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), the 18 business deals are composed of memoranda of understanding and letters of intent.

Roque earlier said that the Philippines is a suitable investment destination for Indian firms seeking strategic growth.

“The Philippines remains one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic economies. This is fueled by our young, tech-savvy population, a growing consumer base, and a digital economy projected to exceed $40 billion by 2030,” said Roque.

“We lead the region in services exports, digital transformation, and inclusive innovation,” she added.

Kiri Industries Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Philippine Company before the President of the Philippines. Their agreement is one of the 18 business deals signed during the President's first visit to India upon the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The visit was extensively covered by the media. One of the several articles published by the Manila Bulletin is featured below. The original link can be accessed at: https://mb.com.ph/2025/08/16/indian-dyes-giant-kiri-industries-eyes-investment-in-philippine-green-metals-sector

Business | Trade & Industry

Indian dyes giant Kiri Industries eyes investment in Philippine green metals sector

By Dexter Barro II

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