Lubrizol, the US-based specialty chemicals giant, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to acquire a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad. The company plans to build a new manufacturing facility on this site, designed to initially support the growing markets for transportation and industrial fluids in the region.
The initial phase of this project involves a projected investment of approximately $200 million, marking Lubrizol’s largest investment in India to date and reflecting a significant commitment to the region. Once completed, the facility will become Lubrizol’s second-largest manufacturing site globally and its largest in India. Construction will proceed in phases over the coming years, with future expansion possibilities.
“Lubrizol has been making significant investments in India for over fifty years,” said Flavio Kliger, President of Lubrizol Additives. “This new state-of-the-art facility will enhance our local capacity and capabilities, supporting not only our Additives business but potentially other Lubrizol operations and regions in the future.”
The Aurangabad plant announcement is part of Lubrizol’s broader strategy to accelerate growth and bolster its local capacity. In 2023, the company made its largest investment in the region’s history, committing $150 million to build the world’s largest CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, Gujarat, expand capacity at its Dahej site, open a grease lab in Navi Mumbai, and foster local job creation and innovation.
Additionally, Lubrizol recently established its first Global Capability Centre in Pune to drive regional growth and enhance collaboration with customers and employees.
Bhavana Bindra, Managing Director of Lubrizol IMEA (India, Middle East, and Africa), emphasized the importance of a local-for-local approach, noting that “the growing transportation and industrial markets in India present a tremendous opportunity.”
Nitin Mengi, Vice President of Lubrizol Additives IMEA and Chairman & Managing Director of Lubrizol India Pvt Ltd, added, “Lubrizol is excited to contribute to the bright future of these industries.”
The new Aurangabad facility will not only cater to domestic demand but also enable export opportunities to neighboring countries and other Lubrizol sites. Manufacturing at the new plant is anticipated to align with Lubrizol’s 100th anniversary in 2028.
