As petrochem costs soar, 80% of Gujarat’s detergent MSMEs shut down, say associations
Indian Express·3h ago·Fear
What Happened
Eighty percent of Gujarat's approximately 850 small-scale detergent manufacturing units have shut down due to soaring petrochemical costs. LABSA prices increased from Rs135 to Rs300 per kilogram following the US-Israel-Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz blockade. Soda ash and plastic packaging costs also surged. The industry employs 30,000 workers and supplies 60% of rural detergent market. Associations request government intervention and raw material quotas for MSMEs.
Key Entities
Gujarat Small Scale Detergent Manufacturers AssociationSoap and Detergent Association GujaratLABSA (Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid)Strait of Hormuz blockadeNaresh JainIOCLNirma LtdReliance