We recently marked an important milestone as PennWhite Global Chemical Solutions, a subsidiary of our group company MPL, inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Channai.

The Inauguration

The facility was inaugurated by Devaki Muthiah Chardon, Chairperson of PennWhite Limited, in the presence of Chandrasekar Ramaswamy, Managing Director and CEO of MPL, and Tobias Tasche, CEO of PennWhite Limited and Director of PennWhite India. Standing alongside them were the senior leaders from both MPL and PennWhite.

This marked the start of a new chapter for the subsidiary and reinforced its commitment to the Indian market and the broader Asian region.

“It establishes a strong and strategic presence for PennWhite in Asia, enabling us to better serve our regional customers while opening the door to new partnerships and opportunities,” Devaki Muthiah Chardon remarked while reflecting on what this expansion means for the company’s regional ambitions. She also highlighted that the goal of this expansion is not just to supply products that meet a need but is meant to build lasting relationships founded on “trust, quality and mutual success”.

Tobias Tasche echoed this sentiment. “The inauguration of this facility at Oragadam is a significant step in our India strategy.” He reiterated PennWhite’s commitment to serving Indian customers with locally manufactured products – those that meet the same specifications and standards the company’s international customers have come to trust and rely upon.

His words illustrated the significance of the milestone, positioning the new plant as PennWhite’s strategic entry into the Indian market and a presence that promises long-term growth.

The Right Standards

A few weeks ahead of the opening, two specialists from PennWhite’s UK facility had landed in Chennai. They had come to collaborate with the local team in implementing the plant’s quality and food safety systems. Together, they prepared the facility for ISO 9001 certification, supported upcoming halal and kosher audits, and established the site’s HACCP programme as the foundation of its food safety system. The team also worked to commission the new laboratory, aligning the product release and acceptance standards with those maintained at the UK plant.

With the foundations firmly in place, the new unit has enhanced PennWhite’s ability to deliver global-grade products with a near-to-the-customer local approach. It is set to produce specialised foam-control chemistry, including the renowned FoamDoctor® range, across applications like food and beverage processing, wastewater treatment, recycling, printing, infrastructure, oil and gas, coatings, and construction.

The Right Time

The opening of the facility comes at a crucial time for the industry. India’s specialty chemicals market reached USD 67.0 billion last year. In the coming years it is expected to grow further, with estimates placing it at USD 93.4 billion by 2034, at a growth rate of 3.65% during 2026–2034.

These circumstances provide an ideal opportunity, as demand soars across sectors like agriculture, construction, and automotive. Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in the country serve as strong tailwinds for PennWhite, as it can now meet this rising demand with locally manufactured, globally certified solutions delivered close to the customer.

A Broader Strategy

The new plant has strengthened our position in the Indian market while also affirming the commitment of our subsidiaries to delivering real solutions for Indian customers. For PennWhite, it is the first step in a big strategy, one that is built on local manufacturing, global standards, and long-term relationships with customers across the region.

The doors in India are now open for them, and the work has begun.