Report Overview

India has experienced a boom in hand sanitizer usage due to a growing consumer awareness about infection spread and hygiene after the COVID-19 outbreak. Also contributing to the market's growth is the rise in the use of hand sanitizers both publicly and privately.

India Hand Sanitizer Market- Industry Trends & Forecast Report 2028

India hand sanitizer market was worth USD 569.8 million in 2021 and is further projected to reach USD 1,256.1 million by the year 2028, growing at the CAGR of 13.5% during the forecast period (2018-2028). The growing consumer awareness after the COVID-19 about the infection spread and hygiene and the surging use of hand sanitizers in public and private spaces significantly proliferated the growth of the market. Furthermore, the launch of new products and expanding production capacity by hand sanitizer manufacturers are anticipated to drive the India hand sanitizer market growth in the forecast period.

Hand Sanitizers- A Brief Overview

A hand sanitizer is a gel or liquid that has antibacterial properties and kills infection-causing microorganisms, used for cleaning hands. Generally, they are used when water and soap aren't available for hand washing, or frequent hand washing causes skin irritation. Hand sanitizers, however, are ineffective at physically removing harmful chemicals. Approximately 60% to 95% of hand sanitizers are alcohol-based. The products are also flammable.

India Hand Sanitizer Market Forecast and Trends

Growth Drivers

Increasing Consumer Awareness for Hygiene and Sanitation

The growing germophobia fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and infection spread in the country has opened significant growth opportunities for the India hand sanitizer market. Several studies claimed that hand sanitizers can eliminate around 99.9% of germs on hands if used properly. In order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and to preserve natural skin, frequent handwashing with soap and water were recommended by the World Health Organization. As a result, alcohol-based hand sanitizers were used to protect the skin while also preventing infection-causing pathogens, which dramatically increased the overall market growth.

Launch of New and a Wide Range of Products

To target the expanding and diverse consumer base in India, hand sanitizer manufacturers are launching a wide range of products with innovations, such as new formulations and fragrances. For instance, Natural Bloom offers a wide range of regular use hand sanitizers, such as Green Apple, Black Cherry Merlot, Rainforest, Caramelized Vanilla, Enchanted Orchid, etc., in various packaging, including Hand Sanitizer Set, Bottle and Pocket Hand Sanitizer, etc. Such products significantly attract Indian consumers and influence their consumption pattern towards a certain brand.

Restraints

High Penetration of Counterfeit Products

The high penetration of fake and counterfeit hand sanitizers act as a major restraint for the India hand sanitizer market growth. India is a highly price-sensitive market, and therefore Indian consumers are inclined towards low-priced products even if they have to compromise with the quality. Lack of consumer awareness regarding the ineffectiveness of hand sanitizers on pathogens and COVID-19-causing germs, as well as the lack of strict regulatory policies, is fueling the penetration of counterfeit products, halting the growth of the market as a whole.

Impact of COVID-19 on India Hand Sanitizer Market

The India hand sanitizer market was among those few markets that witnessed the highest growth after the COVID-19 outbreak in India. The market witnessed huge demand and supply gap for hand sanitizers as only a handful of companies were engaged in manufacturing these products. However, the regional and local players quickly covered the gap, especially through making their products available through retail and Kirana stores. Furthermore, increasing consumer awareness and coronavirus protection guidelines by regulatory bodies also significantly proliferated the growth of the India hand sanitizer market.

India Hand Sanitizer Market - By Product Form

Based on product form, the India hand sanitizer market is segmented into foam, gel, and liquid. The gel-based segment of hand sanitizers account for the largest share in the India hand sanitizer market. The gel-based products are deemed better due to their better applicability and higher effectiveness than their counterparts. This form is prominently used for personal uses which drive its market growth. However, the liquid segment is anticipated to witness substantial growth during the forecast period due to its increasing applications in commercial facilities, such as offices, hotels, schools, etc.

India Hand Sanitizer Market - By Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channels, the India hand sanitizer market is segmented into pharmacy stores, supermarkets/hypermarkets, online retail channels, and others. The demand for hand sanitizer through supermarkets/hypermarkets was very prominent during the initial COVID-19 outbreak because of the easy availability of a wide range of products through these channels. However, the market is anticipated to shift towards retail and Kirana stores due to the high number of these stores in Indian regions and the increasing availability of hand sanitizers locally.

India Hand Sanitizer Market - Regional Insights

Geographically, the India hand sanitizer market is segmented into North India, South India, East India, and West India. Among these regions, the Western part of India holds the largest market share. In states like Maharashtra and Gujarat, there is a high concentration pharmaceutical companies, which are driving the market demand for ethanol (or ethyl alcohol) and hand sanitizers, thereby driving the region’s growth. However, North India is also emerging with great potential with expanding hand sanitizer production capacity through regional and local manufacturers.

India Hand Sanitizer Market - Competitive Landscape

The leading players in the India hand sanitizer market are Himalaya Drug Company, Cossmic India Pvt. Ltd., Zuci Naturals, Resil Chemical Pvt. Ltd., PeeSafe, Truworth Healthcare, SpringBliss, November Bloom Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., Reckitt Benckiser (India) Limited, Godrej Consumer Products Limited, and other prominent players.

The market is highly fragmented due to the presence of many industry participants. However, the market is still open to new players. Market players launch a wide range of products to attract consumers and improve distribution channels to expand their consumer base through retail sales. Additionally, hand sanitizer brands rely heavily on advertising and marketing strategies to create consumer awareness and boost their sales. Furthermore, the adoption of marketing strategies, such as partnerships, mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, etc., is also prominent in this market.

Recent Development

• In July 2021, Cipla Health, the consumer healthcare subsidiary of Cipla pharmaceutical company, announced to be launching a hand and sanitation range, including spray hand sanitizer, soap, and hand wash under brand Ciphands.

Scope of the Report

By Product Form

• Foam
• Gel
• Liquid

By Type

• Alcohol-Based
• Alcohol-Fee

By Distribution Channel

• Pharmacy Stores
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Online Retail Channels
• Others

By End-User

• Hospital
• School
• Restaurant
• Households Purposes
• Others

By Region

• North India
• South India
• East India
• West India