India chemicals market: Key players, shortages, and manufacturing trends

When we talk about the India chemicals market, the ecosystem of chemical production, distribution, and consumption across India, including petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and industrial inputs. Also known as Indian chemical industry, it powers everything from medicines and plastics to fertilizers and textiles. This isn’t just about factories—it’s about the raw materials that keep Indian manufacturing running.

One of the biggest names in this space is Reliance Industries, India’s largest chemical producer, with its Jamnagar complex being one of the world’s biggest integrated petrochemical sites. Also known as Jamnagar refinery, it doesn’t just make fuel—it turns oil into plastics, fibers, and industrial solvents that feed local industries. But even giants like Reliance can’t fully shield the market from disruptions. In 2025, key chemicals like ethylene, PVC, and specialty catalysts are facing real shortages, pushing manufacturers to scramble for imports or rethink their supply chains. These shortages aren’t random—they’re tied to global oil prices, port delays, and rising energy costs that hit chemical plants hard.

Behind the scenes, the Indian chemical industry, a network of over 10,000 registered chemical manufacturers, from small units to multinational subsidiaries. Also known as chemical manufacturing India, is trying to catch up. Companies are investing in automation, recycling feedstocks, and partnering with startups to reduce waste. But the biggest challenge? Training workers and upgrading old plants that still rely on outdated tech. Meanwhile, demand keeps climbing—from pharma needing active ingredients, to auto makers needing coatings and adhesives, to farmers needing fertilizers. The India chemicals market isn’t just growing—it’s being reshaped by pressure from both inside and out.

What you’ll find below are real stories from this landscape: how one company survived a critical chemical shortage, why Reliance dominates Asia’s chemical scene, and what small manufacturers are doing differently to stay profitable. These aren’t theoretical reports—they’re snapshots of what’s actually happening on the ground in India’s chemical factories, warehouses, and labs right now.