Specialty polymer producer PolyOne Corp. in Avon Lake, Ohio, said it plans to expand operations in India.
PolyOne said it has begun construction of a plant in Pune, India, that will produce specialty materials, including solid masterbatch, liquid colorant and additives. The operation will house development labs and the sales and customer service center for the region, and it is expected to open in the first quarter of 2014.
The size of the investment was not disclosed.
"With advanced design capabilities and enhanced manufacturing flexibility, we will offer customers in India an even broader array of solutions and improved delivery times," said Vikas Vij, managing director for PolyOne's operations in India. "Demand for advanced specialty solutions in India is increasing — particularly in automotive, packaging, wire and cable and health care — and our expanded presence will position PolyOne exceptionally well to collaborate with and serve our customers."
Robert M. Patterson, PolyOne executive vice president and chief operating officer, said the planned investment in India "augments other recent announcements, including a new joint venture specialty colorant facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and plans to begin thermoplastic elastomer production in Sao Paulo, Brazil."