German specialty chemicals company Lanxess opened its new application development center in Thane, India, near Mumbai. The center will develop specialized, country-specific chemicals, integrating expertise from lubricant additives and protection products.
India is a rapidly growing market for many specialty chemicals applications, from its burgeoning middle class demand for more cars to healthy expansion of electricity generation, the booming manufacturing sector and minerals extraction.
The new center is part Lanxess’ branding as a specialty chemicals company. This follows in the footsteps of Infineum, which began billing itself as a specialty chemicals company rather than an additives company in 2022.
Lanxess also plans to build a global capacity center in India that will serve units in Europe then the rest of the world.
“India is a critical growth region for Lanxess, offering immense opportunities for collaboration and innovation,” Lanxess Chairman of the Board of Management Matthias Zachert said at the inauguration ceremony.
Lanxess has 800 employees in India who represent all 10 of its businesses spread across production hubs Jhagadia, Gujarat, focusing on Rhein Chemie, Liquid Purification Technologies, and Material Protection Products, and another in Nagda, Madhya Pradesh, which specializes in flavors and fragrances.