What it is
Natural essential oils (mint, lemongrass, citronella, eucalyptus) and blended fragrance compounds. Used to perfume soaps, detergents, agarbatti, cosmetics and room fresheners.
Natural essential oilsFragrance compounds for soap / detergentAgarbatti perfumery basesMenthol crystals (mint)
Where India produces it
- Uttar Pradesh
Menthol units listed by DCPC (e.g. Swati Menthol).
Where imports come from
DCPC tracks only menthol (7.9 thousand tonnes produced in 2024-25). Other fragrance bases are made by many small blenders; no official figure.
Rules before you buy or sell
- Fragrance in cosmetics must follow the Cosmetics Rules, 2020 (CDSCO); in agarbatti, check buyer specs and banned-ingredient lists.
- Many essential oils are flammable; bulk storage may need a PESO licence.
Storage and handling
Store in full, closed amber glass, aluminium or lined drums, cool and dark; air and light spoil oils.
Businesses that use it
Perfumery Compound Blending →Perfume Manufacturing →Agarbatti (Incense Stick) Making →Bath Soap Manufacturing Unit →Ittar (Attar) Making →Lemongrass Oil (Cultivation and Distillation) →Citronella Oil Distillation Unit →Peppermint (Mint) Oil Distillation →