Henkel Boosts Production with New Adhesives Manufacturing Plant in India
- 17-Jul-2024 6:55 PM
- Journalist: Jai Sen
Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited (Henkel India) has successfully completed Phase III of its manufacturing facility in Kurkumbh, near Pune, Maharashtra. Established in 2020, the Kurkumbh site addresses the rising demand in Indian industries for advanced adhesive, sealant, and surface treatment solutions. The newly inaugurated Loctite plant, named after Henkel's renowned brand, was officially opened by Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President of Henkel Adhesive Technologies, along with other senior management members.
Since entering the Indian market in 1996, Henkel Adhesive Technologies has significantly contributed to the company's growth. Henkel has strategically expanded its presence in India through ongoing investments to accommodate rapid market growth. The company now boasts a robust footprint in India with five manufacturing sites, two innovation centers, a customer experience center, a packaging academy, and an application center for the footwear industry.
The new Loctite plant at the Kurkumbh site underscores Henkel's commitment to driving growth in the Indian market. By localizing its product portfolio, the plant aims to reduce reliance on imports and better meet the needs of Indian businesses. It will help bridge the supply-demand gap for high-performance adhesive solutions, particularly in the manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and automotive components sectors. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand in these dynamic market segments.
Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, emphasized India's significance as a key market for Henkel on a global scale. He highlighted that the launch of the new Loctite plant underscores Henkel's vision of becoming a self-reliant global market player with a robust local presence in India. Dorn reiterated Henkel's commitment to driving growth in the region through continued investments, efficient supply chains, and customer-focused solutions. He also emphasized the company's dedication to building ecosystems of innovative and sustainable solutions in collaboration with their partners and customers.
S. Sunil Kumar, Country President of Henkel India, stated that the expansion of their manufacturing footprint underscores Henkel’s ongoing commitment to establishing India as a manufacturing hub for advanced adhesive, sealant, and functional coating solutions. He highlighted the new Loctite plant's Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which facilitates rapid material storage and retrieval. Kumar noted that the plant will utilize Industry 4.0 technologies to optimize production efficiency and drive profitable, organic growth for Henkel India, while also supporting the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative.
The Kurkumbh site also exemplifies Henkel's commitment to the local community and its role as a responsible corporate citizen. The facility adheres to the highest sustainability standards and holds LEED Gold certification, a distinction that is uncommon among chemical plants. Henkel is also focused on achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and 2 emissions at Kurkumbh by 2030. To support this goal, the site has signed a green electrical energy Power Purchase Agreement and installed on-site solar panels. This dedication to sustainability underscores Henkel's broader environmental objectives and its proactive efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.