Basic chemicals and their related products (petrochemicals, fertilisers, paints, varnishes, glass, perfumes, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, etc.) constitute a significant part of the Indian economy. Among the most diversified industrial sectors, chemicals cover an array of more than 70,000 commercial products
India is the seventh largest producer of chemicals globally and third largest producer in Asia in terms of output. The country ranks third globally in the production of agro chemicals and contributes around 16 per cent to the global dyestuff and dye intermediates production.
In the year 2017-18 (Provisional), exports of dyes and dye intermediaries increased 14 per cent year-on-year to US$ 2.40 billion. During the period, exports of essential oils, cosmetics and toiletries increased 15 per cent to US$ 1.80 billion and exports of castor oil stood at US$ 1.04 billion. Exports of inorganic, organic and agro chemicals stood at US$ 10.67 billion, an increase of 38 per cent year-on-year.