Ankleshwar Industry: Manufacturing Hub in Gujarat with Chemicals, Textiles, and Small-Scale Factories

When you think of Ankleshwar industry, a major industrial cluster in Gujarat, India, focused on chemical production, textiles, and small-scale manufacturing. Also known as Ankleshwar Industrial Area, it is one of the most concentrated zones for chemical plants and ancillary units in the country. This isn’t just another factory zone—it’s where raw materials turn into everyday products, from detergents to dyes, and where small workshops supply big names across India and abroad.

The chemical manufacturing, the backbone of Ankleshwar’s economy, centered on sodium hydroxide, sulfuric acid, and dye intermediates dominates the landscape. Companies here don’t just make chemicals—they make the ingredients for soaps, textiles, and even food processing, as seen in how sodium hydroxide, a key industrial chemical heavily used across India for cleaning, textile treatment, and fertilizer production flows out of Ankleshwar to factories in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. The region’s proximity to ports and pipelines makes it ideal for bulk transport, giving local producers a cost edge over distant rivals.

But it’s not all big plants. Hidden among the chemical yards are hundreds of small scale manufacturing, family-run units making everything from plastic containers to handloom fabrics. These aren’t just side businesses—they’re the lifeblood of local employment, often supplying materials to larger firms or exporting directly. You’ll find units here that make the same woven fabrics seen in Banarasi sarees or the durable cotton used in Tamil Nadu’s denim exports. The textile manufacturing, a growing segment in Ankleshwar, blending traditional weaving with modern dyeing tech sector is quietly expanding, fueled by local demand and government incentives for export-oriented units.

What makes Ankleshwar different from other industrial zones? It’s the mix. You won’t find flashy corporate campuses here. Instead, you’ll see aging factories next to new labs, truck drivers waiting for chemical drums, and workers packing fabric rolls with the same care their grandparents did. It’s messy, real, and deeply connected to India’s everyday needs—from the soap you use to the shirt you wear. The Ankleshwar industry doesn’t make headlines, but it keeps the supply chain moving.

Below, you’ll find real stories from India’s manufacturing floor—how small businesses survive here, why chemical prices shift with global oil trends, and how textile units compete with bigger cities like Surat and Tirupur. No fluff. Just what’s happening on the ground.

Why Gujarat Is the Heart of India’s Chemical Industry

Why Gujarat Is the Heart of India’s Chemical Industry
6 August 2025 Jasper Hayworth

Find out why Gujarat is India’s biggest name in the chemical industry. Discover facts, stats, and what powers this powerhouse city and state.