24 April, 2026 17:38:08 IST 
German speciality chemicals company, Lanxess, with €5.7-bn sales in 2025, inaugurated a new blending plant at its chemicals manufacturing site in Jhagadia, Gujarat, on April 24, 2026. As part of the first phase of development the facility will also manufacture select speciality lubricant additives from the company’s vast portfolio. The overall investment in this project is about Rs. 150-crore.
The plant will primarily serve customers in India, the Middle East and other key global markets, and has been developed with a strong focus on safety, energy efficiency, and responsible environmental practices.
Lanxess has also signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), “bringing its cutting-edge technologies to the Indian market.” The focus of the MoU will span a range of lubes serving markets including metal working, refrigeration, and brake fluids for railway engines. Plans are also afoot to engage with the two other oil marketing companies in India, who together account for about 45% of the Indian lubes market.
In addition, Lanxess has also started third party manufacturing activities for the Business Unit (BU) Lubricant Additives in India.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Mr. Neelanjan Banerjee, Senior Vice President and Global Head of BU Lubricant Additives, the investment follows the setting up of an Application Technology Centre for the BU in Thane, near Mumbai, in 2025, and represents the 13th manufacturing site for the BU.
Lanxess’ lube additives business received a significant portfolio boost in 2017 with the acquisition of US-headquartered speciality chemicals company, Chemtura Corporation. The BU – the only one headquartered outside of Germany, in the US – is amongst the leading independent producers of lube oil additives and package solutions serving diverse markets including industrial, automotive, energy, and transportation. It is the only fully backward-integrated producer of some speciality additives, and the only manufacturer of diphenylamine (DPA), an important raw material, outside of China. It is also one of only two manufacturers that make food grade additives.
According to Mr. Banerjee, India is the third largest market in the world for lubricants, and the investment reinforces the company’s commitment to make in India. “This facility strengthens our ability to reliably serve customers across India, Middle East and other markets with high quality, innovative lubricant additive solutions with a local-for-local approach,” a company press release quoted him as saying.
Rs. 750-crore investment in Jhagadia
Dr. Hubert Fink, Member of the Board of Management at Lanxess AG, noted that the recent investment takes the company’s investment at the Jhagadia site to Rs. 750-crore, across four BUs – Liquid Purification Technologies, Material Protection Products, Rhein Chemie and now Lubricant Additives.
“Lanxess is committed to deepening our presence and investing in India’s future, aligning our long-term strategy with the nation’s dynamic potential. Through prudent investments and a focus on sustainable growth, we aim to contribute meaningfully to India’s evolving industrial landscape,” the press release quoted him as saying.
