Gujarat makes almost every commercial castor oil derivative. The main ones are hydrogenated castor oil (HCO), 12-hydroxystearic acid (12-HSA), sebacic acid, undecylenic acid, ricinoleic acid, dehydrated castor oil (DCO), blown castor oil and castor-based polyols.
The state grows most of India's castor seed, so crushing plants and derivative units sit close to the crop. A 2022 study by the Agro-Economic Research Centre at Sardar Patel University put Gujarat at about 85% of India's castor production in 2020-21.
The main product families
Every derivative starts with ricinoleic acid, the hydroxy fatty acid that makes up most of castor oil. Different processes act on its hydroxyl group or its double bond. The groups below cover what you will usually be offered:
- Refined and first special grade castor oil, sold as a base oil and as feedstock for everything else.
- Hydrogenated castor oil, a hard wax used in greases, coatings and cosmetics, covered in what HCO is used for.
- 12-hydroxystearic acid, made by splitting HCO, used mostly in lithium and calcium greases.
- Sebacic acid and its co-product 2-octanol, made by heating castor oil with caustic soda.
- Undecylenic acid and heptaldehyde, made by cracking ricinoleic acid or its methyl ester at high temperature.
- Dehydrated castor oil and blown castor oil, used in paints, inks, leather and plasticisers.
- Castor-based polyols, used in polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers.
- Ethoxylated castor oils and other esters, used as emulsifiers and solubilisers.
Where the plants are
Crushing and refining is spread across north Gujarat and Saurashtra, near the seed markets. Larger derivative plants also sit in the chemical estates around Vadodara, Bharuch, Ankleshwar and Dahej, where hydrogen, utilities and effluent treatment are easier to arrange.
Most export cargo leaves through Deendayal (Kandla) and Mundra. Bulk castor oil often moves in parcel tankers, while derivatives go in containers. Packing is covered in how castor derivatives are packed and shipped.
What this means when you buy
Plants range from single-product units to integrated groups that crush seed and make several derivatives. Integrated plants control their feedstock, which helps colour and consistency. Smaller units buy oil on the market and can be more flexible on small lots.
Many sellers listing a long derivative range are traders. Ask which products are made on site and which are bought in, and check this at an audit. Our guide on telling a trader from a manufacturer sets out the checks.
Questions to ask a seller
Before you request samples, a few direct questions will tell you whether a seller fits your needs. Ask them in writing and compare the answers:
- Which of the listed derivatives does the plant make on its own site, and which does it buy in?
- Does the plant crush its own seed, or buy castor oil from other crushers?
- What is the plant's monthly capacity for the product you want, and how much is already committed?
- Can it share recent certificates of analysis from several lots of the same grade?
Next step
If you buy one or more castor derivatives, we can find the plants that actually make them, check samples and documents, and supervise loading. See our chemicals sourcing page or book a free sourcing review.