In response to growing demand for thermoplastics polyurethane (TPU) in India, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) has announced plans to add a second line to its facility in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu / India. The 3,500 t/y facility is due to be completed in Q2 2015, and once commissioned will raise the site’s total output to 6,000 t/y. Investment costs were not disclosed.

Marius Wirtz, heading of the group’s TPU business, said BMS is the only local TPU producer, catering to a wide range of markets, from automotive to textiles, shoes, cable sheathing, solutions coatings and adhesives. The material is marketed under the “Desmopan” brand name, and sold both to the Indian market as well as to customers in Europe.

Commenting on the decision to raise output, BMS country representative for the Indian SubContinent Ajay Durrani said, “Bayer MaterialScience continues to see strong growth opportunities in India across all business units. There is considerable demand in the Indian market for TPUs which is driven by an increasing appetite for high-quality end products.”