Momentive will continue to grow in India, to invest in people and assets: Tony Lanchak

On August 26, 2013, Momentive Performance Materials Inc, a global leader in silicones and advanced materials, announced its plans to shift polyurethane (PU) additives headquarters to China and increase global manufacturing capacity. With these investments, the company aims to have an integrated global network to aid in capacity, speed and service, as well as build close relationships with local customers to serve their specific needs, according to Tony Lanchak, VP/Business Unit Leader, Urethane Additives, Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. In this exclusive interview with Rakesh Rao, Lanchak explains the role of India in driving the growth of its performance materials business and plans to expand capabilities in the country.
 
How has the Momentive’s PU business in India evolved over the years?
Momentive Performance Materials has a long history in the polyurethanes (PU) business in India. Our presence in India goes back over 30 years, if not longer, and we have grown with the PU industry since its infancy stages in India. Today, Momentive Performance Materials has the largest presence in PU foam additives in India across many different segments and applications, including slab (furniture/bedding); rigid (appliance/construction); moulded (auto seating/interior trim) and advanced applications which include electronics, footwear and synthetic leather.
 
Could you please elaborate on steps taken by Momentive Performance Materials to expand its breadth of products in India?
Today, Chennai’s urethanes additives (UA) manufacturing focus is on a broad range of polyurethane (PU) additives, including tertiary amine catalysts and silicone surfactants, for use in consumer applications (eg, slabstock PU foam used in furniture & bedding) and in rigid PU foam (for use in appliance & construction).     
 
The UA business unit’s manufacturing investment in Chennai is relatively new. So, it makes perfect sense that as we increase our investment, we add breadth by phasing in certain production over time as our employees gain the necessary experience in manufacturing, quality and applications testing.

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What is driving the PU demand in India?
Drivers for the growing demand in India parallel drivers for most emerging markets: urbanisation, growth in the middle class (which leads to the increase in per capita consumption of PU), as well as certain aspects of sustainability and energy conservation.
 
What are your plans to grow your PU business in India? Are you planning for capacity expansion in India?
Momentive Performance Materials is committed to India, not just in PU, but across a number of businesses which span silicones and epoxy, phenolic and coatings. Our company has a presence throughout India with our manufacturing site in Chennai, a fundamental research centre in Bangalore and an office in Delhi. We will continue to grow in India in the future as we have in the past - investing in people and assets as our growth and the growth of India warrants.