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Special Report Special Report
Table 1: Key growth drivers for specialty fertilisers
China+1 strategy in action: Specialty fertilisers Driver Description
and India’s strategic leap Nutrient effi cient Controlled Release Fertilisers (CRFs) and Sustained Release Fertilisers (SRFs) make the nutrient
available for longer periods by reducing nitrogen loss via leaching, thus improving crop yield.
Overview of the export halt situation Water-soluble fertilisers (WSFs) APARAJITH BALAN Environment-friendly Delays denitrifi cation by controlling the reaction of soil bacteria with nitrates.
in India such as monoammonium phos- Associate Partner, Water scarcity Water-soluble fertilisers can be applied using drip irrigation techniques, optimising water usage.
s India approaches its Rabi phate (MAP) and potassium nitrate Chemicals Growth Advisory, Sustainability The use of bio-stimulants reduces the amounts of mineral fertilisers introduced into the environ-
season, the recent specialty ferti- (KNO ); and Frost & Sullivan ment, lowering pollution of soil, water, and air.
3
Aliser export halt from China Stabilised nitrogen fertilisers with
presents both challenges and signifi - urease inhibitors (NBPT). VIDHIKA AWALLA market is projected to reach ~$5-6 aggressive subsidies and China+1 stra- translate into higher industry value.
cant opportunities for domestic Indian Consulting Manager, bn by 2030, with CAGR of ~18% tegy are effectively deployed. However, For example, the Indian controlled-
fertiliser producers. While China has There are fears of price rises, but Chemicals Growth Advisory, from 2025 to 2030 – if Government’s Government’s subsidies do not always release fertiliser (CRF) market saw
been restricting supplies of specialty availability is not expected to be a Frost & Sullivan a decline in market value despite in-
fertilisers to India for the last 4-5 years, major challenge. India has alternative E-mail: nimisha.iyer@frost.com creased consumption. The main reason
a complete halt impacts ~80% of spe- import options from Russia, Jordon, was the Indian government mandating
cialty fertilisers supply for high-value and Israel; however, timely shipment tion of specialty fertilisers is increas- that all domestic urea producers manu-
crops such as fruits and vegetables, affec- arrivals remain a concern. ing across global market, including the facture 100% neem-coated urea and
ting agricultural belts in Maharashtra, United States, Canada, Brazil, Europe, distribute it at subsidized prices to the
Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Specialty fertiliser market scenario & India, China, and Japan. This is due to farmers.
West Bengal. growth drivers the rising awareness about the benefi ts
The specialty fertiliser market associated with specialty fertilisers as China’s export halt is set to accele-
An estimated 130-140 kilotonnes has strong growth potential and is they are more effi cient as compared to rate India’s self-reliance in specialty
(kt) of specialty fertilisers were imported expected to reach ~$63-bn by 2035 glob- standard fertilisers. The use of specialty fertilisers. Domestic players such as
from China between June-December ally, backed by sustainable agricultural fertilisers with drip irrigated and other IFFCO, Coromandel, Tata Chemicals,
2024, alone. Notable products include: practices. fertigation equipment helps farmers and GSFC are leading the charge, sup-
Controlled-release fertilisers (CRFs) achieve better cost yields effectively. ported by government policies and
such as polymer-coated urea Key growth drivers for specialty R&D investments. The supply gap
(PCU); fertilisers Driven by increasing adoption presents immense opportunities to
Fig. 2: Indian speciality fertilisers market, 2023
Chelated micronutrients (Fe-EDTA, There is a strong need for high- of precision and sustainable farming Source: FAI and Frost & Sullivan Analysis domestic players across all segments
Zn-EDTA, Fe-EDDHA); effi ciency fertilisers. The implementa- practices, India’s specialty fertiliser of specialty fertiliser demand.
Controlled/slow – release fertilisers
India imported ~200-kt of polymer-
coated urea (PCU) and sulphur-coated
urea (SCU).
Domestic players fi lling the market
gap include:
IFFCO’s Nano Urea – A liquid
nitrogen alternative reducing urea
demand;
Deepak Fertiliser’s Nitroplus – a
neem-coated slow – release urea; and
New start-ups developing lignin-
coated urea for delayed nutrient
release.
Chelated micronutrients
Fig. 1: Global specialty fertilisers market (2016-2035) Fig. 3: Global speciality fertilisers market, 2023 India imported ~50-kt of Fe/Zn-
Source: Frost & Sullivan Analysis Source: Frost & Sullivan Analysis chelates.
174 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 Chemical Weekly August 5, 2025 175
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