Make in India chemicals: How India’s chemical industry is growing and who leads it

When we talk about Make in India chemicals, India’s push to build domestic chemical manufacturing capacity to reduce imports and boost exports. Also known as Indian chemical industry growth, it’s not just about factories—it’s about jobs, supply chains, and the materials hiding in your detergent, medicine, and fertilizer. India makes over $180 billion worth of chemicals every year, and it’s the sixth-largest producer in the world. That’s more than Germany, and close behind Japan. But most people don’t see it because these chemicals aren’t sold on shelves—they’re the invisible backbone of everything from textiles to toothpaste.

The real story isn’t just size—it’s speed. Companies like Tata Chemicals, India’s second-largest chemical producer, known for soda ash, baking soda, and water treatment chemicals are quietly powering industries across the country. They supply glassmakers, food processors, and farmers with the raw materials they need. Meanwhile, smaller players are stepping up too, making specialty chemicals for pharma, dyes, and agrochemicals. The government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme is helping these companies upgrade equipment, cut waste, and compete globally. It’s not just about making more—it’s about making better.

China still leads in volume, but India’s advantage is flexibility. We don’t need to build massive plants to make a profit. Small-scale chemical units can produce niche products like food-grade additives or organic dyes with lower overhead. That’s why Indian APIs—active pharmaceutical ingredients—are now in over 30% of the generic drugs sold in the U.S. It’s the same story in fertilizers: India doesn’t just use them, it makes them, and exports them to Africa and Southeast Asia. The real win? Local production means fewer supply chain breaks. When global shipping got messy, India kept making chemicals because it didn’t have to wait for a container from overseas.

There’s still work to do. We lag in advanced polymers and high-purity electronics chemicals. But the momentum is real. Every new plant, every upgraded lab, every engineer trained in chemical process design adds up. The next time you buy soap, take medicine, or see colorful fabric, remember—chances are, the chemicals inside were made in India. And that’s not just policy talk. It’s happening now, in factories big and small, from Gujarat to Tamil Nadu.

Below, you’ll find real stories from the frontlines: who’s leading the charge, what’s holding us back, and how small manufacturers are finding their niche in a global market.