Specialty chemicals company Lubrizol Corporation on Thursday opened a new global capability centre (GCC) in Pune. This follows the $150-million investment announced last year by Lubrizol, a Berkshire Hathaway company, to expand manufacturing capacities and accelerate growth in India.
The GCC in Pune will initially focus on IT, engineering, supply chain and procurement, and later add other functions such as human resources (HR), finance and legal. A customer experience zone is also being set up at the GCC.
The Lubrizol GCC facility located at the Embassy Tech Zone in Hinjewadi can house 300, and around 100 have already been recruited, the company said.
The GCC will serve both the Indian and global operations of Lubrizol.
Rebecca Liebert, president and CEO, Lubrizol Corporation, said the company is looking to double its business in India in the next five years with its investments. The company is focusing on the Indian market, given the talent and growth opportunities here, she added.
Lubrizol is building the world’s largest CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, Gujarat, along with Grasim Industries, which is expected to start operations in early 2025. The 100,000-MT plant is expected to meet the rising CPVC demand for piping applications in India as well as neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Lubrizol works with pipe manufacturers such as Ashirwad and Prince Pipes in the Indian market, where CPVC demand is projected to grow by 10-12% annually.
The company is also expanding the CPVC compound plant at Dahej, Gujarat, from 70,000 MT to 140,000 MT and planning a research and development centre at the site.
As part of its expansion plans, the company also set up a laundry soap bar centre of excellence at Vikhroli, Mumbai, and a grease lab in Navi Mumbai.
Lubrizol has a joint venture with Indian Oil for lubricants and fuel additives. It acquired a majority stake in the JV in 2017. Lubrizol will continue to remain invested with its partner in the business, Liebert said.
While the additive business growth is expected to be slower, it would be offset by growth in other segments, according to the company.
