Swiss masterbatch producer Granula AG and SOM SHIVA (IMPEX) LTD, an Indian plastics company, have announced the formation of their joint venture in India under the name Granula Masterbatches India Pvt. Ltd. to produce and sell masterbatches in the local market.


The increasing need for technical competence in plastics in India is boosting market demand for masterbatches. Granula’s masterbatch formulations modify and enhance end product properties, providing the consistent results that global brands depend on.

Founded in 1961, Granula AG is a specialized supplier of color and functional masterbatch solutions for plastics. With its focus on quality over quantity and customization over standard products, the company has over the years successfully grown market share in niches with demanding applications. Granula has also been quick to respond to the growing market demand for more sustainable solutions. The company has developed technology to create new biobased color masterbatches, additives and compounds for injection molding and extrusion applications. The biobased masterbatches currently marketed are mainly based on PLA and have already found application in products such as PLA 3D printing filaments, and compostable coffee capsules. However, the technology allows new products based on any bioplastic specified by the customer to be formulated, including, for example, bio-PE.

Granula Masterbatches India (GMI) will build a state-of-the-art masterbatch production facility equipped with the latest production technology near Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat. The new company will be one of the first occupants of the new industrial zone that is being developed here. The company will mainly target sectors including the food packaging, medical, cosmetic and automotive industries in India. Where international food contact approvals and competence for the medical or the automotive section is required, the new company will be one of the first addresses to contact.
According to Granula, production is projected to start in the second quarter of 2017.

Granula combines technological strength with flexibility to respond quickly and effectively to customer demands, from color matching and sampling through the development of new products. The product databases of both Granula AG and GMI are linked, providing the new company with access to thousands of existing and new formulations, and ensuring the highest levels of quality and consistency across the board.

“Granula is a development partner for numerous international brands,” said Jürg Weibel, owner and director of Granula AG. “We want to have a presence at where we see great growth potential. GMI will not only bring latest technology to India, but also work closely with local partners and customers to jointly create value for their products in whatever polymer or end application they are in.”

http://www.granula.eu