P&G setting up ₹2,500-cr psyllium husk-based facility in Gujarat

United States-based multinational company Procter & Gamble (P&G) is setting up a ₹2,500-crore facility for manufacturing psyllium husk-based laxative products at Sanand in Gujarat, official sources said.

“One of the group companies of P&G is making a huge investment in Sanand. They are currently constructing a facility with an investment of ₹2,500 crore that will manufacture premium psyllium husk-based laxative drug products,” Dr HG Koshia, Commissioner, Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA), told businessline.

Psyllium husk, or isabgol, is widely used as a laxative in Asia, Europe and North America. It is effective in treating constipation and is also believed to have other medicinal properties.

“Till recently, psyllium husk used to be imported from Gujarat to the United States to be used as a key ingredient for P&G’s 80-year-old brand focused on digestive health. As Gujarat is one of the largest producers of psyllium husk in India, they have decided to set up the unit here,” the FDCA official added.

In reply to a questionnaire emailed to P&G India, the company stated that it was in a “quiet period” till May and expressed its inability to respond to queries.

Gujarat and Rajasthan account for the majority of psyllium husk production in India. While Gujarat accounts for almost 90 per cent of the production, the United States is the biggest importer of psyllium husk, accounting for close to 40 per cent of the country’s psyllium exports.

Koshia said that the investment being made by P&G is part of the agreements signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit held in January 2024.

“Of the 376 MoUs worth ₹50,000 crore signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit held in 2024, almost 45 per cent of these MoUs in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sector have materialised and have been implemented on the ground. In other words, more than 165 pharmaceutical and healthcare units have been issued licences and have begun commercial production,” the official said.

“Apart from these, an additional 45 per cent of the MoUs are currently under implementation, and only 10 per cent of the projects have been dropped or cancelled,” Koshia added.

Published on April 25, 2025