India’s processors serving the automotive market can expect some new polypropylene grades to be available soon, as Borouge announced it will work with Indian compounder Machino Polymers Ltd., a compounder based in Gurgaon, India. Borouge is a JV between Borealis (Vienna, Austria) and ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company).
 

According to SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers), in May 2009 overall automotive production in the country grew by 6.53% over the same month in 2008. In April 2009, production grew at 10.19%. Long term, India’s automotive industry is expected to see strong growth rates for at least the next five years. Machino Polymers will compound Borouge’s PP grades for the market, and the relationship could eventually grow to be more. “The scope of our ongoing discussions is to improve the capability of both companies in India“, said Arjun Jindal, executive director of Machino Polymers. “This alliance towards a closer work relationship sits well in our overall growth strategy. By leveraging our respective competencies and maximizing our resources we are confident the resulting synergies will ensure we are able to meet the developing needs of India’s growing automotive market.”  Machino Polymers has 40,000 tonnes per year of compounding capacity but plans to bring facilities on-line in Pune and Chennai within the next financial year.

“The demand for vehicles is growing rapidly in India and Borouge is pleased to be able to evaluate these exciting opportunities together with Machino Polymers,” stated Pushp Raj Singhvi, Borouge’s regional manager for India. —[email protected]