The Indian chemical industry is estimated at around $35 billion USD annually, accounting for 3% of India's GDP. It employs around 1 million people. Major segments include petrochemicals, inorganic chemicals, organic chemicals, fine and specialty chemicals, bulk drugs, agrochemicals, and paints and dyes. The industry has an annual growth rate of 10% but faces challenges from high costs of power, finance, and lack of infrastructure compared to developed nations. Future opportunities lie in developing domestic technology and research capabilities to reduce import dependence and prioritizing safety, health, and environmental protection.

1. An analysis of Indian Chemical Industry
O Submitted by :- Shaikh Mohammed Sohel
(Pgdfbim 014)

2. Facts.
SIZE
• Size is estimated at around US$ 35 billion approx., which is
equivalent to about 3% of India's GDP
INVESTMENT
• The total investment in Indian Chemical Sector is approx.
US$ 60 billion and total employment generated is about 1
million.
Global
Position
• The Indian Chemical sector accounts for 13-14% of total
exports and 8-9% of total imports of the country. In terms of
volume, it is 12th largest in the world and 3rd largest inAsia.

3. Facts continued..
Consumption
• Per capita consumption of products of chemical industry in
India is about 1/10th of the world average.
Growth
• Over the last decade, the Indian Chemical industry has
evolved from being a basic chemical producer to becoming an
innovative industry and grows at a rate of 10% per annum.
What it
Manufactures
• Fine and speciality chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, dyes and
pigments, agrochemicals and fertilizers, pesticides, plastics and
petrochemicals etc.

4. State Wise Contribution
Others
17%

5. Major Segments
Petrochemicals
Inorganic Chemicals
Organic Chemicals
Fine and specialties
Bulk Drugs
Agrochemicals
Paints and Dyes

6. Chlor-Alkali & Inorganic Chemicals Sector
At present it is worth US$ 2.5 Billion industry. The segment
concentrates on the production of caustic, chlorine, sulphuric
Acid etc. The inorganic chemicals are commonly used in
detergents, glass, soap, fertiliser, alkalies etc. However, the
industry is encountering stiff competition from international
players, when it comes to catering to the requirements of the
local markets.

7. Petrochemicals
O Petrochemicals
Petrochemicals form the biggest category in the chemicals, and
it is also one of the fastest growing sectors. The segment is into
producing basic chemicals like Ethylene, Propylene, Benzene
and Xylene etc, intermediates like MEG, PAN and LAB etc.,
synthetic fibres like Nylon, PSF and PFY etc, polymers like
LDPE/HDPE, PVC, Polyester and PET etc, synthetic rubber
like SBR, PBR etc. The key players include: Reliance, IPCL,
NOCIL, Haldia and GAIL etc.

8. Other Segments
Fine
Specialties
• . It is one of the fastest growing sectors with market around US$80 million
p.a. And many big and small Indian companies form part of it.
• The major end user segments include: Textile, Leather, paper, detergent,
rubber, paints, polyester, oil and gas etc.
Bulk Drugs
• Out of the 475 drugs used, 425 are locally procured.
• Major players in India in bulk drug category include: Ranbaxy, Dr.
Reddy's, Cheminor, Shasun, Cipla, Lupin, IPCA, Sun, Aurobindo,
Kopran, Cadilla, Wockhardt.
Agrochemicals
• The average Indian consumption is reportedly low i.e., 1/20th of world average.
• The segment has been witnessing a growth of 10% pa and has registered revenue
worth US$800 million.
• Cash crops like sugarcane, tobacco etc. consume large amount of pesticides,
almost over 60%. Major agrochemicals exports include: Insecticides, Fungicides,
Herbicides, Weedicides, Rodenticides, and Fumigants.

9. Paints and dyes
•Indian dyes are in demand world over.
•Dyes are principally used in Paints, Inks, Textiles and
Polymers.
•The total market of paint and dyes is almost US$ 1 Billion,
and the growth rate is almost 12%.
•There are about 25 large and medium players, which cover
50% market share, while 2000 other organized players
contribute next fifty percent. Moreover, the per capita
consumption is very low in India(400 gms) as opposed to the
developed countries(15 kgs).

10. GLOBAL SCENARIO
O The global chemical industry, estimated at US$ 2.4 trillion, is
one of the fastest growing sectors of the manufacturing
industry.
O Despite fuel price increase chemical industry managed to grow
at a higher pace.
O According to industry reports the pharmaceutical segment
contributes approximately 26% of the total industry output and
approx. 35-40% is dominated by the petrochemical segment.
O Commodity chemicals is the largest segment in the chemicals
market with an approx. size of $ 750 billion while the specialty
and fine chemicals segment accounts for $ 500 billion.

11. Continued.
O Some of the major markets for chemicals are North
America, Western Europe, Japan and emerging economies
in Asia and Latin America.
O The US consumes approximately one-fifth of the global
chemical consumption whereas Europe is the largest
consumer with approx. half the consumption.
O The US is the largest consumer of commodity chemicals
whereas Asia Pacific is the largest consumer of
agrochemicals and fertilizers.

12. Strength
O A diversified manufacturing base having a capacity to
produce quality chemicals from world-class plants.
O Vibrant downstream industries in different segments.
O Competitive core industries, essential for the development of
chemical industries.
O Capability to produce world-class end products.
O Strong presence in the export market in sub-segments such
as Dyes, Pharma and Agrochemicals.
O Large domestic market.
O Major raw material component sources within the country

13. Weaknesses
O -Cost of Power : Very high cost of power,
unreliability of supply and frequent interruption.
Transmission and distribution losses are very high.
O - Cost of Finance : Chemical industry is highly
capital-intensive, cost of finance in India is very
high, interest rates are 14%-15% p.a. as compared
to 2% to 6% prevailing in developed countries.
O Lack of Infrastructure India ranked 55th in the
world

14. Weaknesses
O Scale of production :-
(a) plants were build to cater to domestic needs only.
(b)Per capita consumption is low as compared to the
world.
O Technology:
(a) In the days of sheltered economy, up-gradation of
technology was not critical.
(b) Process Modification used rather than research.

15. Road Ahead
O Highly developed technology
O In-depth research capabilities.
O Development of domestic capacity to
decrease the dependence on imports.
O Safety, health and environment protection
issues have become the major-talking point
in almost all industries and even in the
Indian chemical industry too.