W.R. Grace has opened a new factory in Chennai for the production of specialty chemicals used in commercial, infrastructure and residential construction. The site currently produces cement additives that improve grinding efficiency, reduce the cost of cement production and enhance cement performance. In the coming months, the site will also begin manufacturing admixtures for use in the production of concrete.
      Beyond manufacturing, employees at the location are responsible for supply chain, quality control, product development, sales, and technical service. "India is one of the world’s largest cement-producing nations and a natural location for us to invest in our global network," said Greg Freeman, vice president and general manager for Grace Construction Products – Europe. "The new facility in Chennai brings us closer to our customers, which enables us to better and more rapidly meet their needs."
      Grace said that in addition to proximity to customers, Chennai offers an educated, multilingual work force, a talented scientific pool and an accessible air and sea transportation network.
      "This facility was conceptualized with a focus on the environment," said Srinivasan Radhakrishnan, plant manager. "We have integrated green field and recycle concepts to reduce our footprint while also utilizing Six Sigma tools and training to increase our productivity."
      Grace manufactures, distributes or supports several additional products in India, including catalysts and additives used in the refining of gasoline and other fuels; silica products used in consumer and industrial applications; adsorbents that serve as desiccants; packaging sealants and coatings used in cans, bottles and containers; and chromatography products used in life sciences, organic synthesis and analytical sciences applications.
      Dutch conglomerate DSM has opened two manufacturing facilities in India in recent months as part of its strategy to boost its presence in emerging economies. DSM opened a new greenfield facility for producing engineered plastics compounds on a 25-acre (10.2-hectare) site at MIDC Ranjangaon industrial zone, about 60 km. (37 miles) from Pune. It is also the largest polyamide and polyester compounding facility in India. Materials produced by the facility are used in manufacturing molded components for the automotive, electrical and electronics and consumer goods industries.
      DSM Anti-Infectives opened a new plant in Toansa (Punjab) for the production of the antibiotic ampicillin. The facility serves the Asia Pacific, Middle- East and African countries, in addition to the Indian market.