The Economic Survey 2011-12 says that the production of major chemicals during April-November 2011 has been comparatively higher except for pesticides and insecticides and dyes and dyestuff. Total output for the sector is higher by 1.77 per cent.

Production of Major Chemicals

Production of Major Chemicals						(000\' MT)
Years	Alkali chemicals	Inorganic chemicals	Organic chemicals	Pesticides & insecticides	Dyes & dyestuffs	Total major chemicals
2008-09	5427	513	1254	85	32	7311
2009-10	5602	518	1281	82	42	7525
2010-11	5981	572	1342	85	47	8027
2010-11 (Apr-Nov)	3876	365	867	56	32	5196
2011-12 (Apr-Nov)	3944	374	892	49	28	5288

Chemicals are also directly used by consumers in the form of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, household products, paints, etc. Alkali chemicals, inorganic chemicals, and organic chemicals constitute the major segments of the chemicals industry.

Petrochemicals

Petrochemicals include synthetic fibres, polymers, elastomers, synthetic detergents, and performance plastics, apart from their intermediates such as synthetic fibre intermediates, synthetic detergent intermediates, olefins, and aromatics. The main sources of feedstock and fuel for petrochemicals are natural gas and naphtha.

Petrochemical products cover the entire spectrum of daily-use items ranging from clothing, housing, construction, furniture, automobiles, household items, toys, agriculture, horticulture, irrigation, and packaging to medical appliances. During April-November 2011-12 major petrochemicals have increased by 2.95 per cent. The production of synthetic fibers, which is the second largest segment of the petrochemicals sector, has declined during the current year.

Production of Major Petrochemicals

Production of Major Petrochemicals						(000\' MT)
Years	Synthetic Fibers	Polymenrs	Elastomers	Synthetic detergent intermediates	Performance Plastics	Total Major Petrochemicals
2008-09	2343	5060	96	552	141	8193
2009-10	2601	4791	106	618	172	8287
2010-11	2791	5292	95	638	191	9007
2010-11 (Apr-Nov)	1824	3450	65	422	124	5915
2011-12 (Apr-Nov)	1780	3724	58	414	114	6090