Lubrizol and Polyhose Forge MoU to Produce Medical Tubing and Boost Capacity in Chennai

Lubrizol, a global leader in specialty chemicals, and Polyhose, a top player in fluid conveyance systems, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the Indian medical sector and drive innovation. This MoU builds on the longstanding partnership between the two companies and was signed in the presence of Shri. Dr. T.R.B. Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Tamil Nadu, and Shri. V Arun Roy, Industries Secretary, Tamil Nadu. Following the signing, Lubrizol's leadership also met with Shri. Thiru. N. Muruganandam, IAS, Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu.

The collaboration between Lubrizol and Polyhose will involve establishing a medical manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu. The new site aims to increase Lubrizol’s local production of medical tubing by five times, facilitating greater access to high-quality medical tubing both within India and for global export. The tubing produced will be used in critical medical applications, particularly in neurovascular and cardiovascular procedures such as balloon catheters and minimally invasive catheters.

Bhavana Bindra, Lubrizol’s Managing Director for India, the Middle East, and Africa, commented, “This agreement brings precision manufacturing technology to India, providing new opportunities to serve critical care markets both locally and globally. Lubrizol is proud to collaborate with regional partners, reducing the country’s dependence on imports while expanding access to high-quality solutions.”

The medical tubing will be made using Lubrizol’s advanced thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and other thermoplastic polymers, which are biocompatible and offer high performance, ensuring patient comfort. The new facility will comply with ISO 13485 standards, guaranteeing the production of safe, high-quality medical products.

Rebecca Liebert, President and CEO of Lubrizol, expressed her excitement about the project, saying, “We are honored to collaborate with Polyhose and the Government of Tamil Nadu. India plays a central role in Lubrizol’s innovation and growth, and this investment underscores our commitment to a local-for-local and local-for-global strategy.”

Lubrizol has made significant investments in India, committing over $350 million USD in the past year alone. In addition to this new medical tubing venture, the company has recently opened a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Pune and announced plans for a large manufacturing facility in Aurangabad. Lubrizol is also expanding its CPVC resin production in India, with a new plant in Vilayat and a capacity increase in Dahej, Gujarat, to meet rising demand.

The new partnership with Polyhose will leverage Lubrizol’s strengths in India, offering precise product design, reliable supply, and swift technical support for Indian OEMs. Shabbir Y J, Managing Director of Polyhose India Pvt. Ltd., highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “Our continued collaboration with Lubrizol over the past seven years has been a testament to our commitment. This MoU marks an exciting new chapter for us.”

The groundbreaking of the new manufacturing facility is slated for 2025, with operations expected to begin in 2026.