The company’s Industrial & Consumer Specialties Business (ICS) will work out of the new Consumer Care Laboratory at the Kolshet site in Thane, Maharashtra, developing formulations based on many of its existing products.
"This facility will enable us to support our domestic Consumer Care customers even better and assist them in launching their products faster to the Indian market, in response to the ever-evolving needs," said Dr Alexander Snell, Head of ICS India.
Oil and cream focus
The specialty chemicals firm claims the new laboratory’s focus is on Personal Care and Home Care formulations, such as guide formulations for anti-dandruff hair oils and cream formulations.
It will also develop new application test methods designed to test the performance of Clariant's ingredients.
One of its newest launches from this process includes a range of sustainable and sensory enhancing biopolymers for personal care applications, and Clariant claims there are plans for more on the way.
"This laboratory at Kolshet site in Thane, is another milestone in our path of creating a sustained growth strategy for Clariant in India,” added Peter Palm, managing director, Clariant Chemicals (India).
“Our continuous focus on strengthening new business development; exploring and fortifying the existing strong and competitive position in all major markets, including India, are the key drivers for Clariant."
Global outlook unsure
The announcement of the new laboratory in India comes only weeks after Clariant said that a softening of the global economy and unfavourable currency exchange is likely to impact its profits for the full financial year 2011.
"The first two months of the second half-year have been marked by a continuing unfavourable development of foreign exchange rates and increasingly difficult economic conditions, negatively impacting Clariant’s operating business," the company confirmed in a press statement last month.
The company stressed that despite the fact that demand for its product portfolio has remained strong in some regions, other markets have seen a distinct 'softening'.
As a result the company estimates that sales are expected at CHF 7.0 (€6.3bn) - 7.2 bn while the EBITDA margin before exceptional items should reach between 12.8 per cent and 13.2 per cent, figures the company said that were still above the 12.7 per cent reported in the last business year.