Mumbai: “India is the focus of Solenis’ Pan-Asia strategy in big global trends highlighting Water Scarcity and Reuse, Hygiene, Packaging for liquid products,” according to John E. Panichella, CEO, Solenis, USA.
“India is well-placed for Solenis to serve all these segments, while also driving the country’s economic growth and helping double our business,” said Panichella, who is currently in India to highlight business synergies, global investments by Solenis in Polyamine (APAC)/PVAM (US) capacities, besides catering to various markets and their new vision for the Group.
Early 2023 witnessed Solenis – a global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries – acquire Diversey (a company operating in cleaning, hygiene products and technologies) for $4.6 billion.
Panichella said that organic growth alongside a series of mergers and acquisitions – including Diversey Holdings in July 2023 and the BASF paper and water chemicals business in 2019 — witnessed Solenis achieving global leadership in specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries.
“India is one of the few big economies having a stable government, doing business in the ethical way, spoken English, and having the right environment with ease of doing business,” he said while noting that the biggest area of development need in the Indian segment is “sustainability and water” alongside focus on hospitals, hospitality and needs of the healthcare sector.
While there was much awareness about the dangers of ‘single-use plastics,’ Solenis is highlighting its ‘packaging’ through use of +fibre-based+ (recyclable) materials and custom-developed coatings for food-grade materials, besides also floor cleaners for the sensitive electronics industry.
He said Solenis is constantly investing in R&D in its products with 25%-30% sales presently coming off products developed barely five years ago.
Brijesh Rathore, Vice-President – South Asia and Global Strategic Accounts (APAC) at Diversey—a Solenis company, said that from the hygienic perspective, India is witnessing massive awareness in this regard and Solenis has related flagship plans for helping communities here in sales and earning livelihood.
Around 20,000 people were deployed in India after related certified training through Solenis’ “Knowledge Center”, though 350,000 more were needed, he said, adding that India has a strong share in the hospitality sector and Solenis is focusing on elevating its hygiene standards, cleaner air, besides reducing +absenteeism+ in schools.
“We have created many formulations customized for Indian conditions and habits, besides deployment of 50-55 scientists here and investment being in planning stage. Our building service contracts are doing well and our segmentation strategy is viewing: hospitality, power plants and for resourcing it with our own industry-aligned expertise including in water-treatment solutions,” he added.
