Speciality
materials company, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., inaugurated a
manufacturing facility in Chennai early this month, taking the number of its
production plants to 27 globally. Construction of the state-of-the-art
manufacturing facility and application development centre (ADC) started in
June 2007. With an area covering over 15 acres and a manufacturing capacity
to double from the current capacity, the facility has been created to
address future expansion needs and underscores the long-term growth plans of
the company in India. Momentive is the world's second-largest producer of
silicones and silicone derivatives and a global leader in the development
and manufacture of products derived from quartz and advanced ceramics.
Silicones are a multi-functional family of materials used in thousands of products and serve
as a critical ingredient in many construction, transportation, personal
care, electronic, consumer and agricultural uses. Silicones are generally
used as an additive to a wide variety of end-use products in order to
provide or enhance certain of their attributes, such as resistance (heat,
ultraviolet light and chemical), lubrication, adhesion or viscosity.
Addressing media persons, Dr.Ian Moore, President & CEO EMEA & India, Momentive, said,
"Building a manufacturing facility in India was an important strategic
decision for Momentive. India is one of the world's most rapidly growing
markets for automotive, construction, telecom and energy. Chennai, in
particular, is developing into a significant cluster with regard to the
above-mentioned industries. Our presence in India gives us a competitive
edge that we intend to utilise in full." Products to be manufactured in
the plant include silicone fluids and silicone elastomers. In addition to
the Indian market, the new plant will serve Momentive's customers in the
countries of the SAARC region.
Speaking on the occasion, V.P.Nalian, Managing Director, Momentive Performance Materials India, said,
"Over the years, we have stayed on course in realising our vision of
making Momentive a best-in-class specialty chemicals company in South Asia
by combining global technology, application development, manufacturing and
service capability with excellent products and services for the Indian
region. The inauguration of this manufacturing facility in Chennai, in
conjunction with our monomer and finishing plant in Rayong, Thailand, will
considerably enhance our capability to develop and manufacture products,
create applications and service them in a efficient manner. This will help
our customers win in the automotive, telecom, construction, personal care
and textiles segments."
Major growth sectors for
Momentive in the region include energy (Silopren liquid silicone rubber and
silicone heat cured elastomers for polymeric insulators in the high voltage
segment), telecom (key parts for mobile phones), coatings (for the
automotive OEM and ancillary segments, both in local and export markets) and
agriculture (Silwet and super spreaders to reduce pesticides usage and water
consumption, while increasing the efficacy and efficiency of pesticides
sprayed on crops).
Research and development
in Chennai will be focused on application development to meet local customer
needs. A centralised customer service centre at the plant will enhance
co-ordination and services to customers, as well as end-to-end supply chain
management operations.
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