Rohm and Haas: New adhesives, sealants and coatings manufacturing plant

This plant will produce polyurethane and polyester-based adhesives, adhesive formulations for flexible packaging applications, and acrylic emulsions for pressure-sensitive adhesives. It will also produce water-based latex found in end-use products such as paints and coatings. Polyester and polyurethane adhesives are used primarily by the multi-layered flexible packaging and lamination industry to pack consumer goods such as snack foods and beverages. The new facility will serve the domestic market as well as the export needs of the Asia-Pacific region.Groundbreaking took place in Taloja on March 9th, 2002. Construction will begin shortly, with completion scheduled for 2003. The company identified several key factors for erecting the new plant, which joins a global network of more than 100 research and manufacturing sites in 25 countries. "Demand for flexible packaging adhesives has grown significantly in India," said Nick Gutwein, Adhesives and Sealants Vice President and Worldwide Business Director for Rohm and Haas Company. "Building a facility here allows Rohm and Haas to bring to our Indian customers our broad adhesives portfolio with responsiveness, timely local supply, and excellent cost positions. Additionally, the plant's location facilitates expected future business growth elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific Region," continued Gutwein.

The company made a number of significant investments in their adhesives and sealants business in recent months. Their new adhesives and sealants plant in Brazil began operation this month, while in 2001, acquisitions of the Megum rubber-to-metal bonding business from Chemetall Company and the Technical Coatings Coseal cold seal business from Benjamin Moore & Co. brought significant products and technology to customers in automotive and packaging industries. In addition, Rohm and Haas will soon open a 37,000 square-foot Midwest Technical Center near Chicago to provide commercial and technical service support for packaging and structural adhesives and sealants. "Competitively and for our customers, investing major assets in India is the right thing to do, at the right time," said Gutwein. "It's another example of our commitment to the global adhesives and sealants industry."