Henkel grows operations in its largest Indian manufacturing facility 

By OEM Update Editorial July 17, 2024 12:53 pm

The plant will serve Indian businesses, further localise the product portfolio, and thus, reduce dependence on imports. It will also help address the supply-demand gap of high-performance adhesive solutions for the manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), and automotive components sectors. 

Henkel Adhesives Technologies India Private Limited (Henkel India) completes Phase III of its manufacturing facility in Kurkumbh, near Pune, Maharashtra. The Kurkumbh site, launched in 2020, serves the growing demand of Indian industries for high-performance solutions in adhesives, sealants, and surface treatment products. The new Loctite plant, named after Henkel’s renowned brand Loctite, was inaugurated by Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, along with other Senior Management members of the company. 

Henkel has been expanding its presence in the country through consistent strategic investments to meet the rapid growth. The company has a strong footprint in India and operates five manufacturing sites, two innovation centres, a customer experience centre, a packaging academy, and an application centre for the footwear industry. The new Loctite plant in the Kurkumbh manufacturing site reflects Henkel’s vision to drive growth in the Indian market.

Speaking on the launch, Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, said, “India has emerged as a focus market for Henkel globally. The new Loctite plant highlights our vision to emerge as a self-reliant global market player with a strong local presence. With continued investments, efficient supply chains, and customer-focused solutions, Henkel is committed to driving growth in India and building ecosystems of innovative and sustainable solutions with our partners and customers.” 

The Kurkumbh site also showcases Henkel’s dedication to the local community as a responsible corporate citizen. It meets the highest sustainability standards and is LEED Gold certified, a rare feature among chemical plants. In addition, Henkel aims to achieve carbon neutrality in Kurkumbh for Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. To support this ambition, the site has signed a green electrical energy Power Purchase Agreement and installed on-site solar panels. 

S. Sunil Kumar, Country President of Henkel India, commented, “The expansion of our manufacturing footprint reinforces Henkel’s sustained commitment to making India a manufacturing hub for advanced and high-performance adhesive, sealant, and functional coating solutions. A key highlight of the new Loctite plant is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which enables fast execution of material storage and retrieval. The plant will leverage Industry 4.0, optimize production efficiency, and further drive profitable, organic growth for Henkel India while continuing to contribute to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Indian government.”