PolyOne adds TPE capacity in India

Gandhinagar, India - PolyOne Corp. is adding production of thermoplastic elastomers to its existing factory in Pune, India, the company announced 7 Feb on the opening day of the Plastindia 2018, held from 7-12 Feb, in Gandhinagar.

It said it will start manufacturing TPEs this summer at the Pune facility, where it currently makes colour and additive concentrates and engineering plastics compounds.

"We are the only global company to offer all of these domestically produced materials in India," said Craig Nikrant, president of specialty engineered materials. "Customers benefit from shorter lead times due to domestic production, and also from our global network of polymer science expertise."

The company opened the plant in 2014, focused on transportation, electronics, health care, wire and cable, and packaging. It added engineering plastics production last year.

Avon Lake, Ohio-based PolyOne declined to share capacity and investment details for TPEs, but said the new capacity would remain focused on India's domestic market, including sectors like the automotive industry, consumable goods and packaging.

The company also produces TPEs at sites in the United States, Europe and China.