Henkel invests in its largest Indian manufacturing facility in Pune

Henkel Adhesive Technologies India Private Limited (Henkel India) has announced the completion of the third phase of its manufacturing facility in Kulkumbah near Pune, Maharashtra, under the new Henkel brand Loctite. Commissioned in 2020, the Kulkumbah facility is designed to meet the growing demand of Indian industry for high-performance solutions in adhesives, sealants and surface treatment products.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies entered the Indian market in 1996 and currently has a strong presence in India, operating five production sites, two innovation centers, a customer experience center, a packaging academy and an application center for the footwear industry.

The new Loctite facility at the Kulkumbah manufacturing site embodies Henkel’s vision to drive growth in the Indian market. The facility will serve Indian companies and further localize the product portfolio, thereby reducing dependence on imports. It will also help address the supply-demand gap for high-performance adhesive solutions in the manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) and automotive component industries. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is well-positioned to meet the needs of these fast-growing market segments.

Mark Dorn, Executive Vice President of Henkel Adhesive Technologies, said at the launch: "India has become a market of global focus for Henkel. The new Loctite plant underscores our vision to become a self-reliant global market player in India with a strong local presence. Through continued investment, efficient supply chains and customer-centric solutions, Henkel is committed to driving growth in India and building an ecosystem of innovative and sustainable solutions together with our partners and customers."

The Kurkumbu plant also demonstrates Henkel's dedication to the local community as a responsible corporate citizen. The plant meets the highest sustainability standards and has achieved LEED Gold certification, which is rare among chemical plants. In addition, Henkel aims to achieve carbon neutrality for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions at Kurkumbu by 2030. To achieve this goal, the plant has signed a green power purchase agreement and installed on-site solar panels.

S. Sunil Kumar, President of Henkel India, said: "The expansion of our production base further reinforces Henkel's determination to establish India as a manufacturing hub for advanced high-performance adhesives, sealants and functional coating solutions. A highlight of the new Loctite plant is the Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) which enables rapid material storage and retrieval. The plant will leverage Industry 4.0 to optimize production efficiency and further drive profitable organic growth for Henkel India while continuing to contribute to the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative."