 "Astral ties up with Japan's Sekisui Chemical for CPVC resin")
Astral Poly Technik Ltd, a manufacturer of plumbing & drainage systems for both residential and commercial applications, has joined hands with Japanese firm Sekisui Chemical Co Ltd to source chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) resin for hot and cold water plumbing system. This strategic tie up will enable Astral to go for backward integration into developing its own CPVC compound.
Sandeep Engineer, managing director, Astral, said, “With this strategic tie up with Sekisui and backward integration, we plan to take Astral to new heights and make ourselves self-sufficient with our own brand. It is a matter of great pride for all our stakeholders that Astral has decided to join hands with Sekisui, a $ 10 company."
Astral, a manufacturer of piping products for construction industry, has a total production capacity of 127,762 metric tonnes on account of its three manufacturing facilities located in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Through this tie up, Astral has launched its own brand Astral CPVC Pro for CPVC pipes and fittings for hot and cold water application. This product has NSF-61, ISI, UIPC approvals.
On the other hand, the tie up will Sekisui Chemical to bolster its CPVC polymers business by emerging as a leading supplier to plastic pipe makers in India. In fact, in July last year, it entered into an agreement with Hindustan Sanitaryware & Industries Limited (HSIL Ltd), the Kolkata-based manufacturer known for its Hindware range of sanitaryware products, for supply of CPVC resin. Interestingly, Sekisui Chemical has plans to use its recently constructed CPVC resin and compound plants at Map Ta Phut in Thailand to export chlorinated polyvinyl chloride compound in India & Middle East.
Toshiya Yasunaga, president, Sekisui Specialty Chemicals Thailand Co Ltd, added, "Astral's impressive growth over the last 8-10 years along with innovations in terms of products and its state-of-the-art facilities are some of the key factors which ensured we enter into this partnership. Through Astral it will be our endeavour to bring in latest technology and manufacture the best CPVC pipes in India. Sekisui ensure their partners to supply CPVC with stable and good quality so that they can manufacture the most superior quality CPVC pipes and fittings for the plumbing industry.”