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Covering more than 80,000 commercial products, India’s chemical industry is extremely diversified and can be broadly classified into bulk chemicals, specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, polymers, and fertilisers. India is the 6th largest producer of chemicals in the world and 3rd in Asia, contributing 7% to India’s GDP. India's chemical sector, which is currently estimated to be worth US$ 220 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow to US$ 300 billion by 2025 and US$ 1 trillion by 2040.
Globally, India is the fourth-largest producer of agrochemicals after the United States, Japan and China. India accounts for 16-18% of the world production of dyestuffs and dye intermediates. Indian colorants industry has emerged as a key player with a global market share of ~15%. The country’s chemicals industry is de-licensed, except for few hazardous chemicals. India holds a strong position in exports and imports of chemicals at a global level and ranks 14th in exports and 8th in imports at global level (excluding pharmaceuticals).
The domestic chemicals sector's small and medium enterprises are expected to showcase 18-23% revenue growth in FY22, owing to an improvement in domestic demand and higher realisation due to high prices of chemicals. Domestic demand is expected to rise from US$ 170 billion-US$ 180 billion in 2021 to US$ 850 billion-US$ 1,000 billion by 2040.
The Indian chemicals industry stood at US$ 178 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach US$ 304 billion by 2025 registering a CAGR of 9.3%. The demand for chemicals is expected to expand by 9% per annum by 2025. The chemical industry is expected to contribute US$ 383 billion to India’s GDP by 2030.
An investment of Rs. 8 lakh crore (US$ 107.38 billion) is estimated in the Indian chemicals and petrochemicals sector by 2025. The specialty chemicals constitute 22% of the total chemicals and petrochemicals market in India. The demand for specialty chemicals is expected to rise at a 12% CAGR in 2019-22.
The Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals intend to bring PLI in chemical & petrochemical sector and will redraft the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) guidelines.
Indian manufacturers have recorded a CAGR of 11% in revenue between FY15 and FY21, increasing India’s share in the global specialty chemicals market to 4% from 3%, according to the Crisil report. A revival in domestic demand and robust exports will spur a 50% YoY increase in the CAPEX of specialty chemicals manufacturers in FY22 to Rs. 6,000-6,200 crore (US$ 815-842 million). Revenue growth is likely to be 19-20% YoY in FY22, up from 9-10% in FY21, driven by recovery in domestic demand and higher realisations owing to rising crude oil prices and better exports.
A few recent developments/investments in the Indian chemical sector are as follows: