Reaffirming its commitment to the Indian subcontinent, UK composites producer Scott Bader (Wollaston, Northamptonshire; www.scottbader.com) in mid-July signed an agreement with Satyen Polymers (Mumbai / India; www.satyenpolymers.com) to set up a local joint venture. Satyen Scott Bader will be operating from Satyen Polymers’ existing 15,000 t/y plant in Silvassa, located almost 200 km north of Mumbai. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed, neither was the shareholder balance.

In phase one of the project, the two companies plan to share both technology and processes for the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resin gelcoats, with production of the first batches expected to be available by the end of July 2012.

Output of the new joint venture will cater to growing demand from the fast developing composites sector in India. According to a 2010 study by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC, New Delhi / India; www.tifac.org.in) India’s composites market is expected to grow by 25% in the five years from 2010-2015 – for more details, see Plasteurope.com of 09.08.2010.