Zinc Sulphate in India: Uses, Benefits, and Leading Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate Manufacturers

Introduction

Zinc Sulphate (ZnSO₄) is one of India’s most widely used micronutrient compounds, playing a critical role in agriculture, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, and industrial manufacturing. As Indian soils increasingly show signs of zinc deficiency, the demand for high-quality zinc sulphate — particularly Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% — has grown steadily across the fertilizer and agro-input industry. This article explores what zinc sulphate is, why it matters for Indian farming, its key applications, and a look at some of the leading Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% manufacturers in India.

What is Zinc Sulphate?

Zinc Sulphate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula ZnSO₄. It commonly occurs in hydrated forms, the most popular being Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (ZnSO₄·H₂O), which typically contains around 33% elemental zinc. Historically referred to as “white vitriol,” it appears as a white to colourless crystalline powder or granules, is highly soluble in water, and is non-combustible. Its relatively high zinc content, cost-effectiveness, and easy solubility make the monohydrate form especially popular with fertilizer manufacturers and farmers across India.

Other common grades include Zinc Sulphate Heptahydrate (21% Zn) and Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (36% Zn), but the 33% monohydrate grade has become an industry standard due to its balance of purity, cost, and zinc availability for plants.

Why Zinc Sulphate Matters for Indian Agriculture

Zinc deficiency is one of the most widespread micronutrient problems affecting Indian soils. Multiple large-scale soil surveys highlight the scale of the issue:

• About 48.1% of Indian soils are estimated to be deficient in DTPA-extractable zinc, making it the most common micronutrient shortfall in the country.
• Long-term studies suggest that nearly 37% of Indian soils are affected by zinc deficiency, with a direct link between soil zinc levels and human nutritional health.
• Some projections indicate zinc deficiency in Indian soils could rise from roughly 49% to as high as 63% by 2025 if corrective measures aren’t scaled up.
• Zinc deficiency alone can cause yield losses of around 40% across various crops, since zinc is essential to enzyme activity, chlorophyll formation, and hormone regulation in plants.
• Zinc-sufficient crops tend to produce grains with higher protein content and improved nutritional quality, linking soil health directly to food security.

Given this backdrop, zinc sulphate has become the primary tool for correcting zinc deficiency in Indian farmlands. Roughly 125 small-scale units across India manufacture zinc sulphate, with an installed capacity of about 0.175 million tonnes per annum — though actual production has often lagged behind this capacity relative to growing farmer demand.

Common Applications in Farming

• Soil application: Farmers typically mix 10–25 kg of 21%-grade zinc sulphate per acre into the soil before sowing or transplanting, with proportionally lower quantities needed when using the more concentrated 33% monohydrate grade.
• Foliar spray: A diluted zinc sulphate solution sprayed directly onto leaves offers a fast-acting correction for visible deficiency symptoms.
• Seed treatment: Pre-sowing seed treatment with zinc sulphate helps ensure early-stage zinc availability to seedlings.
• Drip irrigation / fertigation: Zinc sulphate’s high water solubility makes it suitable for delivery through drip systems.

Crops That Benefit Most

Paddy, wheat, maize, pulses, citrus, and oilseed crops are among those most responsive to zinc sulphate application. In paddy specifically, zinc deficiency causes “khaira disease,” recognisable by bronze-coloured patches on leaves and stunted tillering — a condition widely corrected through timely zinc sulphate use.

Beyond Agriculture: Other Uses of Zinc Sulphate in India

While agriculture remains the dominant use case, zinc sulphate also finds application in:

• Animal feed and nutrition — as a zinc micronutrient supplement in poultry and livestock feed
• Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics — used as a zinc source in various formulations and dietary supplements
• Textile and dyeing industry — used as a mordant in dyeing processes
• Water treatment — for coagulation and purification applications
• Metal treatment / electroplating — used in zinc plating processes
• Rubber manufacturing — as a processing aid in certain rubber compounds

Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% Manufacturers in India

India has a well-established base of zinc sulphate manufacturers, particularly concentrated in industrial clusters across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. When sourcing Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% for agricultural or industrial use, buyers typically evaluate manufacturers on purity, GST/export documentation, packaging, and consistency of supply. Some of the notable names active in the Indian zinc sulphate monohydrate 33% market include:

• Vinipul Inorganics India Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai, Maharashtra) — A long-established manufacturer, supplier, exporter, and stockist of Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (33%), serving the chemical, food, textile, rubber, and inorganic chemical sectors across India and export markets including South East Asia and the Middle East.
• Vinipul Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai, Maharashtra) — A recognised Indian manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (33%) catering to agriculture and animal nutrition needs, both domestically and internationally.
• SPIC – Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation Limited — Manufactures SPIC Zinc Sulphate (33% Monohydrate), a water-soluble, transparent, crystalline granular product positioned for its role in oxidation reactions, carbohydrate metabolism, and the formation of growth-promoting plant compounds like auxins.
• Destiny Chemicals (Nandesari, Vadodara, Gujarat) — A GST-verified exporter with an established presence supplying Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate with 33% Zn content in powder form.
• Endeavour Industries (Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat) — An agriculture-grade zinc sulphate supplier offering granular product with a minimum of 33% Zn content.
• Jaipur Bio Fertilizers (Jaipur, Rajasthan) — A supplier offering feed-grade zinc sulphate monohydrate with 33% Zn content.

Buyer’s Tip: Always request a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and check GST registration, export history, and batch consistency before finalising a bulk order. Prices for Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% in India can vary significantly by grade (agriculture, feed, or industrial), packaging, and order volume, so it’s worth comparing multiple verified suppliers on platforms like IndiaMART or TradeIndia alongside direct manufacturer websites.

Key Technical Specifications of Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate (33%)

(Specifications may vary slightly by manufacturer and grade — always confirm with the supplier’s CoA.)

Policy Considerations Affecting the Zinc Sulphate Market in India

While standard fertilizers attract 5% GST in India, zinc sulphate sold as a fertilizer currently attracts a higher 12% GST, which raises the effective cost of zinc application for farmers. Industry voices have called for this rate to be brought in line with other fertilizers, alongside lower customs duty on imported raw materials, to make zinc correction more affordable and encourage wider adoption — particularly important given how widespread zinc deficiency remains across Indian farmland.

Conclusion

With a significant share of Indian soils zinc-deficient and crop yield losses tied directly to this shortfall, Zinc Sulphate — and Zinc Sulphate Monohydrate 33% in particular — remains a cornerstone input for Indian agriculture. Whether you’re a farmer looking to correct visible deficiency symptoms, an agri-input distributor sourcing bulk quantities, or a procurement manager evaluating suppliers, understanding both the agronomic value and the manufacturer landscape is essential to making informed sourcing decisions.