Swiss speciality chemicals supplier Clariant has inaugurated a new extension to its production facility in Roha, south-east of Mumbai, India. The expansion doubles its capacity at the facility for pigments and pigment preparations. This higher output will enable the company to increase its market coverage in India and the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and to provide products better tailored to customer needs.

The increase in capacity has been made possible with the introduction of the latest equipment for high-end pigment preparation. The improved plant, in which Clariant has invested CHF3.2 million (INR 20 crores), forms part of a strategic programme that the company has been carrying out in recent years to support customers in emerging markets with high quality pigments and pigment preparations that comply with local and international eco-labelling schemes.

Pigments and pigment preparations produced at the Roha plant are for a wide range of applications, including interior and exterior coatings, packaging, personal, home and fabric care products seed coatings, and dispersions for printing.

“Clariant is investing across Asia to develop production, technical support and commercial service capabilities that will enable our customers in this rapidly growing region to be successful in growing their business,” says Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. “The enhanced capability in Roha complements improvements we have made and continue to make in our various operations in China, Indonesia, and elsewhere.”

“The capacity expansion in pigments and pigment preparations will support our dynamic growth in the domestic Indian market for high quality, environmentally safer colorants and point of sales tinters used by our customers in coatings, printing and other special applications where we continue to experience double digit growth”, comments Marco Cenisio, Senior Vice President & General Manager Business Unit Pigments, Clariant.

Last year, Clariant’s Pigments Business Unit doubled its marketing and sales organisation in Asia. It has strengthened its team of Regional Product Managers for both pigments and pigment preparations to support the growing number of customer requests. The Pigments Business Unit continues to bring new and innovative materials to the market, with a strong emphasis on environmental aspects and sustainability.