What are India's outstanding sub-sectors in the chemical industry?

Pesticides, fluorinated chemicals, dyes and pigments, and synthetic fibers are specialized segments where India holds a strong export advantage. We have compiled data on Indian chemical products whose export value exceeded ₹15 billion (approximately RMB 1.3 billion) in 2023. Although polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) appear high on the export list, their import volumes are equally substantial—making them net imports. Excluding these, it becomes evident that India’s high-value chemical exports are concentrated in dyes & pigments, pesticides, fluorinated chemicals, and polyester-based synthetic fibers. (I) Pesticides: An Indian strength—second-largest global exporter India enjoys prominent competitive advantages in the pesticide sector. According to the WTO, India’s agricultural chemical exports in FY2023 surpassed those of the United States to rank second globally, reaching USD 5.5 billion—a 86% increase over FY2019. India’s strength in agrochemicals stems partly from the synergies between its pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. Dubbed the “pharmacy of the world,” India supplies over 20% of global generic drugs and possesses extensive experience in drug development that readily transfers to agrochemical innovation. Additionally, as the world’s second-largest country by arable land—and home to a massive population—India heavily supports agriculture: in FY2024 alone, the Indian government allocated ₹1.54 trillion to agricultural departments. Looking ahead, although India ranks fourth globally in pesticide production volume, its per-hectare pesticide usage stands at only 230 grams—far below the global average of 2.6 kilograms—indicating enormous latent domestic demand potential. UPL is India’s premier pesticide conglomerate and ranks among the world’s top five agrochemical producers. Strategic acquisitions have been pivotal to UPL’s rapid ascent: over the past two decades, it has completed more than 40 acquisitions—including firms in Japan, Argentina, and Brazil—significantly boosting its global market share. By 2024, UPL had become the world’s fifth-largest agrochemical company, trailing only Bayer, Syngenta, Corteva, and BASF. Following its acquisition of Arysta, UPL’s FY2020 revenue surged to RMB 34.867 billion, with year-on-year growth of +68% in total operating revenue and +82% in EBITDA. From FY2010 to FY2024, the company achieved compound annual growth rates of 12% in revenue and 9% in profit. Beyond UPL, other leading Indian agrochemical enterprises include PI Industries, Atul Ltd., and Sharda Cropchem—all of which have recently posted higher profitability margins than UPL. (II) Fluorinated Chemicals: Rising alongside the pharmaceutical industry Fluorinated chemicals represent another area of Indian expertise, closely tied to the nation’s pharmaceutical prowess. Fluoro-intermediates serve as critical starting materials for many Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). According to NFIL, 20–30% of modern drug molecules contain at least one fluorine atom, and one in every three newly developed APIs is fluorine-based. In 2022, 11 out of 15 newly ISO-registered agrochemicals contained fluorine. India’s pharmaceutical competitiveness is exceptional: per NFIL, over 30% of India’s API output was exported to countries including the U.S., U.K., and Japan in 2022.

Deepening roots in China, serving the world—how does UPL empower sustainable development through natural plant protection?

Amid mounting global climate challenges and rising public demand for environmental sustainability, ecological farming solutions are becoming increasingly urgent. As the first agrochemical company ever included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), UPL not only embodies industry distinction but also shoulders a mission to advance global agricultural sustainability. Its development in the Chinese market is especially noteworthy. Facing industry downturns and severe operational headwinds, UPL has vigorously expanded its Natural Plant Protection (NPP) business—bolstering its strategic footprint through acquisitions of Corteva’s mancozeb assets in select global markets and establishing manufacturing facilities in China—demonstrating both foresight and unwavering confidence in long-term industry evolution. What are UPL’s core sustainability principles? What does inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) signify for UPL? Sustainability is central to UPL’s corporate strategy—globally, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and safeguarding the environment. Over the past four to five years, UPL has achieved remarkable progress in sustainability. We place special emphasis on building a balanced product portfolio, forging alliances and partnerships with numerous sustainability-focused companies, optimizing resource allocation, developing dedicated teams—and notably, establishing a dedicated Natural Plant Protection (NPP) business unit. We believe this approach ensures balanced resource utilization and secures sustainable outcomes for future generations. In 2019, UPL became the first agrochemical company worldwide to join the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI). The DJSI employs a rigorous, multi-dimensional framework—assessing economic, environmental, and social performance over the long term—to identify and recognize industry leaders in sustainability. UPL’s inclusion was a source of great pride—and a powerful motivator for continuous improvement. Since then, UPL’s ranking within the index has steadily risen, with its overall score climbing to 99%. This reflects our resolute shift from conventional chemical products toward natural alternatives, as well as our deep commitment to environmental stewardship and human health. Our pipeline development, portfolio expansion, and partnership initiatives all aim to deliver more natural products; our target is for bio-agrochemicals to contribute 30% of total business revenue—a firm pledge to the DJSI. What notable practical cases has UPL implemented in China and globally to achieve its sustainability goals? How does UPL adapt its R&D and product strategies to address intensifying global climate change and stringent environmental challenges—and thereby promote sustainable agriculture? Over recent years, UPL has made significant strides in business development. Last year in China, NPP-related revenues accounted for 15% of total sales. We remain steadfast in fulfilling our commitments to society, farmers, and governments—continuously investing in sustainable agriculture education to shift farmers’ reliance away from conventional chemical pesticides. While chemical products offer rapid pest control, natural alternatives are equally effective—albeit with slightly longer onset times. We devote substantial resources to outreach and awareness campaigns, aiming to help farmers recognize the importance of resource conservation—ensuring food security and healthy living for generations to come.

India Chem 2026: UPL’s Shroff charts strategic roadmap for Indian chemical industry

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UPL Chairman Jai Shroff outlined a strategic roadmap for India's chemical industry at India Chem 2026, emphasizing technology, investment, and scale to become a global hub. He urged collaboration on R&D and infrastructure to achieve sustainable growth by 2047.

chemweek

2026-10-23

India Chem 2026: UPL’s Shroff charts strategic roadmap for Indian chemical industry

India Chem 2026: UPL’s Shroff charts strategic roadmap for Indian chemical industry

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