Click the icon to add a specified price to your Dashboard list. This makes it easy to keep track on the prices that matter most to you.
In partnership with Grasim Industries Ltd, Lubrizol has commenced construction of the first phase of a 100,000 metric-tonne CPVC resin facility in Vilayat, Gujarat. Located within Grasim Industries’ site, this facility will represent the largest single-site capacity for CPVC resin production globally. It is designed to cater to the growing demand for CPVC piping applications in India, as well as in neighbouring markets such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and other regional countries, says Binay Agrawal - Business Head, TempRite, IMEA (India, Middle East, and Africa), Lubrizol Corporation, in an interaction with Dilip Kumar Jha, Editor, Polymerupdate. Edited excerpts:
What is Lubrizol’s CPVC resin manufacturing plan in India?
For over 25 years, Lubrizol has focused on creating awareness and driving market development for CPVC in India, leading to the development of innovative products with enhanced quality standards. The company has invested approximately US$ 150 million (~Rs 1300 crore) to establish the world’s largest CPVC resin plant.
The combination of Lubrizol’s technology and Grasim’s manufacturing capabilities will ensure the availability of locally produced CPVC materials. In addition, Lubrizol is expanding its existing CPVC compound manufacturing capacity at Dahej, Gujarat, from 70,000 MT to 140,000 MT. This investment will strengthen supply chain reliability and support the government of India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, underscoring Lubrizol’s long-term commitment to the Indian market. Recognised as an industry pioneer, Lubrizol continues to set benchmarks that define the standards for CPVC innovation.
Any specific sector you are targeting like industrial or residential?
With a broad, highly specialized portfolio of CPVC offerings, Lubrizol is perfectly positioned to serve the high-performance needs of the residential, industrial and fire protection sectors. In the market, we compete by providing customer-specific solutions for plumbing, fire protection and industry applications supported by state-of-the-art access to CPVC raw materials. This provides us with a noticeable advantage in product innovation, technical expertise and long-term performance — guaranteeing that the solutions we provide are more reliable, lasting longer and working better, from one project to the next.
FlowGuard® Plus CPVC has set a benchmark in the Indian plumbing segment with its exceptional temperature resistance, pressure-handling capability, and impact strength ensuring a service life exceeding 50 years. BlazeMaster® Fire Protection Systems are the world’s most widely specified and installed non-metallic fire protection systems, trusted globally and in India by consultants and fire safety professionals for their superior performance in life-critical applications. Similarly, Corzan® CPVC is engineered for industrial piping applications and is increasingly adopted in sectors requiring high chemical resistance and extended operational life.
These systems are globally tested and proven, forming an integral part of some of India’s most iconic residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Lubrizol’s ability to serve multiple high-performance segments through specialized CPVC grades distinguishes it in the marketplace. Further strengthening its leadership in the CPVC space, Lubrizol continues to invest in advanced research and development to engineer next-generation CPVC solutions. A key focus of these efforts is the development of heavy metal-free formulations that align with global sustainability goals and evolving regulatory standards. Lubrizol remains committed to setting new benchmarks for CPVC systems in India and contributing to a safer, more sustainable built environment
Are you focusing on Indian markets or exports also?
India is at the heart of Lubrizol’s global CPVC strategy. We introduced CPVC in the country during 1999-2000, with a wave of economic liberalization throwing doors open for new technologies. Today, India stands as the largest market for this product category in the world and predominantly contributes about 50% share towards hot and cold-water plumbing pipes segments; an equal measure speaks for itself about how successful CPVC has been here as well as the faith Indian consumers put on our material to ensure safe long-lasting piping systems. The main thrust of our activities primarily serves the domestic needs, in support of some neighboring countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
But our priority remains to “Make in India” and “Connect with India” by creating local solutions, training plumbing professionals, and building a future-ready infrastructure powered by reliable CPVC technology. We are investing close to US$ 350 million in the Indian market, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and local manufacturing. This includes the world’s largest CPVC resin plant currently coming up in Vilayat, Gujarat a project that reflects our long-term vision for India.
India is a price sensitive market. Being CPVC resin costlier than PVC resin, how would you strategize to continue boosting your sales?
Lubrizol CPVC systems are manufactured using high-performance raw materials engineered to withstand India’s challenging water quality, temperature variations, and long-term usage demands. Unlike UPVC, which is suitable only for cold water and tends to degrade under sustained pressure or heat, Lubrizol’s CPVC systems provide reliable performance in critical applications where safety, durability, and longevity are essential.
FlowGuard® Plus continues to earn the trust of residential and commercial plumbing segments with a proven service life exceeding 50 years, reduced microbial growth, corrosion resistance, and leak prevention. For fire protection, BlazeMaster® CPVC remains the preferred choice of leading consultants and developers for its consistent performance in light-hazard applications. Corzan® CPVC meets the stringent requirements of industrial users, offering resistance to aggressive chemicals while maintaining mechanical strength over time. All systems are backed by Lubrizol’s global material science expertise and decades of research and innovation.
To support market growth, Lubrizol’s strategy prioritizes strengthening local production. The upcoming CPVC resin plant in Vilayat, Gujarat, will ensure faster delivery and reduce import dependency. In parallel, the company is investing in long-term partnerships with customers and channel partners to build scale and market reach. Plumber education remains a key focus enabling professionals to understand the total cost advantages of high-quality systems that require minimal repairs or replacements.
Lubrizol also leads in sustainability. FlowGuard® Plus CPVC is the first plumbing brand in India to be certified by GRIHA, IGBC, and GEM ASSOCHAM. Compared to alternative plastic materials, CPVC contains less petroleum content and is easily recyclable These attributes reduce environmental impact while supporting modern infrastructure goals. By delivering technically advanced, sustainable solutions, Lubrizol continues to align its CPVC systems with the evolving needs of India’s infrastructure development.
How are you competing with existing players in India?
Lubrizol competes in India by going far beyond raw material supply. We are building a complete CPVC ecosystem. Our unwavering focus on CPVC solutions allows us to combine unmatched technical depth, consistent performance, and relentless innovation with on-the-ground engagement that transforms how plumbing and piping systems are delivered across the country.
We deal directly with all parties in the value chain, starting from manufacturers and contractors to plumbers and end-users so that FlowGuard® Plus, BlazeMaster®, and Corzan® systems are specified, installed, and maintained correctly for long-term performance. This practice develops long-term trust by raising the standard of the industry.
Our training programmes span the entire country, and thousands of plumbers are being trained on a new skill, enabling an install that is much faster than traditional metal pipes. It is very beneficial for high-rise and mass housing projects hence improving the timeline of the project as well as productivity and incomes of plumbers.
Our R&D team develops India-specific solutions, such as heavy-metal-free CPVC formulations aligned with evolving sustainability goals. Backed by a robust domestic production base and a growing network of authorized manufacturers, we are also expanding into fire safety and industrial applications through trusted brands like BlazeMaster® and Corzan®.
What truly sets us apart is our long-term vision. We are deeply invested in India’s infrastructure, people, and progress. As the nation advances toward becoming a developed economy, our mission is to support that journey by delivering reliable, future-ready piping systems and strengthening local ecosystems through partnerships, training initiatives, and science-backed innovation. This integrated approach of products, skills, sustainability, and collaboration is the foundation of our competitive edge today and for decades to come.
What challenges and opportunities are you seeing in India?
It is an exciting time of growth in India, which means companies that are building, recruiting and hiring are facing similar challenges. We proactively address recruitment through comprehensive labour welfare initiatives such as daily meals, evening snacks, attendance-based incentives, hygienic and safe accommodation, and regular engagement sessions. Client-monitored labor welfare programs further ensure continuous improvement and workforce stability.
To tackle delays in exotic material equipment, due to on-going projects across India with limited fabricators, Lubrizol implements robust mitigation measures including rigorous follow-ups, expediting processes at vendor workshops, and enhanced coordination with real-time delivery tracking. For workforce skill building, we’ve introduced on-site training, close supervision, dynamic task reallocation, and continuous monitoring of productivity metrics.
With operating safely & responsibly a core value and top priority, we’ve deployed a detailed health, safety and environment (HSE) plan from project inception, mandated PPE usage, and implemented engineering and administrative controls, along with continuous training, motivational initiatives, safety engagement programs, targeted campaigns, and competency-based worker screening to foster a safety-first mindset and ensure robust compliance.
DILIP KUMAR JHA
Editor
dilip.jha@polymerupdate.com
