Mumbai, April 10: Speciality chemicals company Clariant (India) is setting up a new facility at Kolshet, Thane for manufacturing masterbatches. The unit is expected to be operational by the end of the year. The company is also in the process of identifying opportunities to exploit the Internet for its business activities (Clariant already follows a paperless order booking system). Internationally, Clariant AG's masterbatches division "has already launched sales in the US via the Internet and the company plans to co-ordinate its e-com efforts to create additional value for all stakeholders".In a presentation to analysts, Clariant India official A Audich said that the masterbatches facility will entail an investment of Rs 4 crore and has a capacity of 800 tonnes. Currently, the local operations are completely dependent on imports for masterbatches. Clariant India managing director PR Rastogi said that capacities at the new facility are sufficient for the company's immediate needs. Clariant has a two per cent market share in the masterbatches segment and expects to increase this to five per cent by 2005.
Preliminary discussions have also been held with the Swiss parent company on possible sourcing opportunities from India in the area of masterbatches inputs, specialised pigments and UV absorbers. Exports account for over 31 per cent of Clariant India's sales and growth strategies include entering into long-term supply agreements. In the area of textile chemicals A K Prasad said that Clariant plans to improve market share to 12 per cent (from 10 per cent) by 2003 and expects new products to account for 20 per cent of sales. New business areas include technical textiles and sizing chemicals and spin finishes.
In the textile dyes business unit (which accounts for 13 per cent of Clariant India's turnover), the company expects to improve market share to six per cent by 2005. New products include Solars and Foron AS dyes.
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