US specialty polymers producer PolyOne has commissioned a new plant for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) at its complex in Pune, India. The new facility is complemented by a technology center, which will house an advanced laboratory for new and existing R&D activities.

The Ohio-based company said the highly automated and dedicated TPE line is the first of its kind in India. Adding the production facility also increases its global footprint for consistent material formulations in all regions, it said.

Producing locally rather than importing materials will improve lead times and the ability to collaborate on custom formulations, while the same time enabling manufacturers to source all of their specialty requirements from a single domestic source, the polymer producer commented.

In 2014, PolyOne opened a new production facility for colorant and additive concentrates at Pune, designed to supply end-markets such as transportation, electronics & electrical, healthcare, wire & cable, and packaging. Manufacturing capability for specialty engineered materials was added in 2017.

Holger Kronimus, vice president Europe at the materials company, said PolyOne is “committed to serving the needs of local and multinational manufacturers who operate in India, one of the world’s fastest growing economies.”