A variety of products that are created by the chemical industry have a massive impact on our lives. While some of these products are purchased directly by the consumer, for example, detergents and soaps, many other creations are used as intermediates to make other products. Hence, the chemical companies in India play a crucial role in the way we lead our lives.

In this article, we will go over the various types of chemicals created by these companies and how it impacts our lives. Primarily, the products created by chemical companies can be divided into three broad categories.

1. Basic Chemicals

Usually produced in large quantities, basic chemicals are either sold within the chemical industry or to other industries who then use them for creating a product that will be used by consumers. For example, ethanoic acid is sold within the chemical industry to make esters, which is then sold to make paints, which is ultimately sold to the consumer.

Basic chemicals are further divided into three main types:

Petrochemicals, which is a term that refers to chemicals that are derived from oil
Polymers
Basic inorganics

2. Speciality chemicals

The term speciality chemicals is an umbrella term for a variety of chemicals which are used for crop protection, paints and inks, colourants like dyes and pigments, and other activities. The chemicals that are commonly used in industries like textiles, paper, and engineering are also known as speciality chemicals. Over the globe, the US and Europe are generally focused on this sector, instead of developing basic chemicals. The purpose of this is because of the notion that with active research and development, speciality chemicals provide better and more stable profitability. Owing to this, new products are being created to meet not only customer needs but also new environmental regulations. A prevalent example of this the transformation of household paints to organic solvent-based to being water-based. Also, another common example is the latest ink development for ink-jet printers.

3. Consumer chemicals

As the name suggests, consumer chemicals are sold directly to the public. Popular examples of consumer chemicals are detergents, soaps, and other toiletries. This industry is constantly evolving as chemical companies in India are striving to create better products for customers. For example, the search for more effective and environmentally safe detergents have increased over the past 20 years. This is particularly specific to finding surfactants that are capable of cleaning sensitive skin to large industrial plants. Moreover, along with this, a lot of work has been done in producing a wider range of synthetic chemicals for toiletries, cosmetics and fragrances.

With increasing competition worldwide, innovation remains crucial in finding new ways for demanding and environmentally-conscious consumers. Chemicals companies in India are working relentlessly to satisfy the increasing consumer requirements!