ALBANY, N.Y.—India is fast becoming a key area of growth for Momentive Performance Materials Inc.
The silicone and advanced materials producer most recently boosted capacity at its plant and application development center in Chennai, India, to further expand its silicones business in the country.
The state-of-the-art facility focuses on the production of high-end specialty silicones to serve the company's growing customer base in India, the Middle East and South Asia.
Additional machinery has been added at the plant, which opened in 2009 and spans about 700,000 square feet, a spokeswoman said.
She said the company is offering “unparalleled production capabilities to our regional customer base at a time of high growth.” Financial details weren't disclosed.
V.P. Nalian, managing director for Momentive Performance Materials India, said the expansion brings “some of the most sophisticated technology and manufacturing processes that Momentive has developed worldwide to the Chennai facility and considerably enhances our ability to serve customers across the region.”
Albany-headquartered Momentive's goal is “to support customers in the high-growth region defined as India, the Middle East and Africa through our ability to fulfill orders with world-class quality, accuracy and timeliness,” the spokeswoman said.
The company also is adding a regional headquarters and global research and development center in Bangalore, India. Construction on that project is slated to be completed in the second quarter, she said.
The investment represents a major step forward in Momentive's efforts to build its silicones business in India, according to CEO Craig Morrison.
The country “is one of the world's fastest growing regions in automotive, construction, telecom and energy,” he said, and Chennai, in particular, is becoming a significant center for multiple industries.
The expansion will help Momentive commercialize a number of specialty silicone branded products, said Eric Thaler, chief technology officer for Momentive Performance Materials. Among them are: Magnasoft and Silsoft additives for personal care and textile applications; Silwet products used in the agricultural industry; Niax additives for polyurethane foam; and SiFORT hardcoats used for automotive lighting and glazing.