INDIAN STATE : GUJARAT

Chemicals and petrochemical Industry

Introduction

The Chemical industry is among the oldest Industries in India. It comprises basic chemicals and their products, petro chemicals, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, paints, gases etc. Indian Chemical industry ranks 12th by volume in the world production of chemicals. This sector contributes about 3 per cent to the economy's Gross Domestic Product. It accounts for 17.6 per cent in the output of the manufacturing sector, 13- 14 per cent in the total exports, and 8-9 per cent in the total imports.

Chemical Industry in Gujarat

Gujarat's chemicals sector is one of the fastest growing sectors. The state contributes to more than 20 percent of India's chemicals output. The exports from this sector are globally competitive and the leading destinations for export are USA, Europe and other developed nations. The state houses four petrochemical complexes, two large petroleum refineries and six large chemical- fertilizer complexes.

Gujarat manufactures 100% soda ash in the country and has an impressive share of 85% in salts production. State's share in other areas are as follows: Ethylene (50%), polymers (56%), LAB (37%), phosphatic fertilizers (38%), nitrogen fertilizers (20%), etc.

Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has set up mega estates, particularly for chemicals at Ankleshwer, Panoli, Vapi, Vatva, Jhagadia, Vilayat and Dahej to facilitate further development and growth. Private investment in SEZ and the proposed plans to have a PCPIR (Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region) at Dahej are bound to change the industry scenario of the whole country in general and Gujarat in particular.

The factors responsible for the spectacular growth of the chemicals sector in Gujarat are:

• A strong base of petrochemical industry
  
• Increasing availability of basic feed stock
  
• Relatively low overhead cost
  
• Availability of necessary infrastructure
  
• Trained and technical manpower and
  
• High degree of entrepreneurship.

Chemicals and Petrochemicals Industry in Gujarat

Pharmaceutical Industry

Introduction

The Indian pharmaceutical industry valued at $12 billion has portrayed tremendous progress with reference to infrastructure development, technology base creation and a wide range of production. The domestic market in India is estimated to be at US$ 12 billion by 2010.The pharmaceutical industry produces bulk drugs belonging to major therapy groups. India ranks 4th worldwide accounting for 8 per cent of the world's production (In terms of Volume) and 1.5 per cent (In terms of value). The industry has developed Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) facilities for the production of different dosage forms.

The pharma industry exports drugs and pharmaceuticals worth over $ 3.8 billion. It ranks 17th in terms of export value of bulk actives and dosage. Indian exports cover more than 200 countries including the highly regulated markets of USA, Europe, Japan and Australia.

Pharmaceutical Industry in Gujarat

Gujarat boasts of high investment levels in the pharmaceutical sector worth over US$ 2.25 billion indicating significant opportunities for investors. Gujarat offers distinct economic advantages to large pharmaceutical companies who are looking to reduce their time-to-market on new products and save costs within the same period. These include:

• Cost-competitive research base
  
• Large and skilled workforce
  
• Skills in process chemistry
  
• Globally harmonized regulations
  
• CGMP compliance of international standards and FDA approved manufacturing facilities
  
• 100 companies with WHO compliant manufacturing units

The state of Gujarat houses a number of renowned foreign and domestic firms in the pharmaceutical and drug sector. The leading multinational corporations having operations in the state include Wyeth, Sanofi Aventis, Abbott, Sidmak laboratories, Mission Pharma Logistics and Transpek-Silos industry. On the domestic front, several large players such as Zydus Cadila, Cadila Pharma, Alembic Pharma, Torrent Pharma, Sun Pharma and Intas Pharma have made their presence in the state.