Essential oils, also called volatile odoriferous oil, are aromatic oily liquids extracted from different parts of plants, for instance, leaves, peels, barks, flowers, buds, seeds, and so on. They will be extracted from plant materials by several methods, steam distillation, solvent extraction, and so on. Among all methods, for instance, steam distillation method has been widely used, especially for commercial scale production. Essential oils are widely used as food flavors. Essential oils found in many various plants, especially the aromatic plants, vary in odor and flavor, which are governed by the categories and amount of constituents present in oils.
Essential oils are highly concentrated, low volume, high value products. The world of essential oils has since then come out from the narrow field of definition to a wide variety of applications in flavours, disinfectants, oral hygiene, tobacco, pharmaceuticals and in almost all spheres of human activity. In the world wide flavour and fragrance market, essential oils constitute about 17 per cent. The estimate of world production of essential oils varies from 40,000 to 60,000 tonnes per annum.
Lemongrass is an herb that belongs to the grass family of Poaceae. Lemongrass is also known by Cymbopogon; it is a genus of about 55 species of grasses.
Citronella oil is steam distilled from the leafy parts of the citronella plant, also called Cymbopogonnardus. Citronella essential oil may be a common element in perfumes and cosmetic products and is acknowledge for its use in outdoor candles, sprays, lotions, and other camping and outdoor essentials.
Lavender essential oil has been found to eliminate harmful bacteria, relieve muscle spasms, relieve flatulence, disinfect and soothe inflamed skin especially when resulting from a venomous, itchy bug bite, promote speedy healing of irritated and scarred skin, and to alleviate muscle tension when utilized in a massage.
Rosemary may be a fragrant herb that's native to the Mediterranean and receives its name from the Latin words “ros” (dew) and “marinus” (sea), which suggests “dew of the ocean.”Rosemary essential oil springs from the aromatic herb rosemary, a plant belonging to the Labiatae , which incorporates Basil, Lavender, Myrtle, and Sage. Its appearance, too, is analogous to Lavender with flat pine needles that have a light-weight trace of silver.
The increasing importance of natural extracts as pharmaceutical & natural cosmetic aid and their use as nutraceutical ingredients in recent times has opened new vistas for this sector besides their widespread use as flavor & fragrance ingredients. India will play a dominant role within the production & processing of those natural extracts. Country's biodiversity including competent scientific force, make our country because the most suitable option to become a foremost leader in aroma business within the coming years.
The world's total production of essential oils is estimated at about 1,00,000-1,10,000 tons and India stands at No. 3 contributor with a share of 16-17 percent. In value terms India's position is No.2 with the share of 21-22 percent, thanks to mint revolution in North India.
India essential oils market will surpass USD 790 million up to 2024. Adoption of sustainable agriculture techniques which has led to large scale production raw materials including lemongrass, citronella, lavender, rosemary and peppermint for oil extraction will propel industry growth.
The growth of the essential oils market are often attributed to usage of essential oils in various applications like flavor & fragrance, aromatherapies, et al. . Moreover, healing benefits of essential oil are expected to be instrumental in governing peak sales paving the way for essential oils market growth. Furthermore, wide scale adoption of essential oils in industrial, commercial, and household applications also drive the worldwide market. However, high price of essential oils act because the major restraint for the market. On the contrary, increase in demand for volatile oil as natural preservatives is expected to produce opportunities for the growth of the essential oils market.
The global mint essential oil market demand was USD 177.88 million in 2018 and is expected to expand at a 9.2% CAGR over the forecast period. Noteworthy growth of end-use industries, such as aromatherapy, personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food and beverage are expected to propel the product demand in the forthcoming years. Rapid technological advancements in oil extraction methods is anticipated to fuel the production and positively influence the growth.
Few Indian major players are as under
Vinayak Ingredients (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Vaishali (India) Ltd.
Ultra International Ltd.
Synthite Industries Pvt. Ltd.
Kancor Ingredients Ltd.
Jindal Drugs Pvt. Ltd.
Industrial Perfumes Ltd.
Concert Spices & Exports Ltd.