Lubrizol, a player in specialty chemicals, and Polyhose, a global name in fluid conveyance systems, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive innovation within India’s medical sector.
The MoU builds on the longstanding partnership and aims to enhance the country’s manufacturing capabilities in the medical field.
Establishing a Medical Manufacturing Facility
As part of the collaboration, Lubrizol and Polyhose will establish a state-of-the-art medical manufacturing site in Tamil Nadu.
The facility is expected to increase Lubrizol’s local medical tubing production by five times, ensuring easier access to life-saving medical tubing for both domestic and global markets.
The high-quality medical tubing produced will be used in critical applications, including neurovascular and cardiovascular procedures, such as balloon catheters and minimally invasive catheters.
Advancing Precision Manufacturing
Bhavana Bindra, Lubrizol’s Managing Director for India, the Middle East, and Africa, highlighted that the agreement brings advanced precision manufacturing technology to India.
She emphasized that the collaboration opens up new business opportunities in critical care markets, both within India and internationally.
The partnership is poised to reduce the country’s dependence on medical imports while enhancing the region’s ability to innovate.
The medical tubing produced will feature Lubrizol’s advanced medical-grade thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and other high-performance thermoplastic polymers, ensuring both biocompatibility and patient comfort.
The new facility will comply with ISO 13485 standards, ensuring the production of safe, high-quality medical tubing.
Lubrizol’s Growing Investment
Lubrizol’s commitment to India is evident in its substantial investments. Over the past year, the company has invested more than $350 million in the country.
Notably, Lubrizol opened a Global Capability Center (GCC) in Pune and purchased a 120-acre plot in Aurangabad for its largest manufacturing facility in India.
Additionally, Lubrizol is expanding its production capacity in Gujarat, including the first phase of a 1,00,000-metric-ton CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, which will be the largest single-site CPVC resin production facility globally.
Local-for-Local and Local-for-Global Strategies
Lubrizol is strategically positioning itself to meet both local and global customer needs.
By leveraging its expertise in India, the company plans to offer a collaborative approach to product design, ensuring reliable supply, quick turnarounds, and strong technical support for Indian OEMs.
The local-for-local model will enhance Lubrizol’s ability to cater to specific market demands while maintaining global competitiveness.
Growth and Commitment to Innovation
Shabbir Y J, Managing Director of Polyhose India Pvt. Ltd., expressed happiness about the company’s long-standing collaboration with Lubrizol.
He noted that Tamil Nadu, where both companies have experienced substantial growth, continues to be an ideal location for industrial expansion.
Polyhose is excited to further strengthen its partnership with Lubrizol. It leads to advancement in industry standards and unlocking new opportunities for growth.
Future Outlook
The manufacturing facility is expected to be ready by 2025, with operations anticipated to begin in 2026.
As per the press release, the collaboration marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development of India’s medical sector. Its positioning the country as a hub for high-quality medical manufacturing.
