Shortcomings of Indian Chemical Industry: TIFAC

Shortcomings of Indian Chemical Industry: TIFAC

Part of: GS-Prelims and GS-III – Industries

In News:

• Recently, a report by the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) was released. 
• TIFAC is an autonomous organisation and think-tank of the Department of Science and Technology. 
• It has highlighted the shortcomings of the Indian chemical industry which prove to be barriers in competing with China.

Key takeaways 

• India lacks enough technology, plants and infrastructure to manufacture key chemicals in a cost-effective and less polluting manner.
• Manufacturing of several key Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) are nearly stopped.
• India depends on China for 67% of chemical intermediates and API and almost entirely for chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).
• Manufacturers are unable to meet the price at which chemicals are produced by China.

Important value additions 

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

• These are significant ingredients in the manufacturing of drugs and are also called bulk drugs.
• The Hubei province of China is the hub of the API manufacturing industry.