Lubrizol Grasim CPVC Plant Opens to Boost India Supply
Lubrizol and Grasim Open CPVC Resin Plant in Gujarat as India’s Infrastructure Demand Grows
Lubrizol and Grasim Industries Limited have inaugurated a new Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) resin manufacturing facility at Vilayat in Gujarat, marking the latest stage in a partnership that has been several years in the making.
The plant, located at Grasim’s chemical complex in Bharuch district, adds CPVC resin production to Lubrizol’s existing operations in Gujarat. Combined with the recent expansion of CPVC compounding capacity at Lubrizol’s Dahej site, the development creates an integrated manufacturing network for CPVC materials used in plumbing, piping and water distribution systems across India.
The facility comes at a time when India is investing heavily in housing, urban infrastructure, industrial projects and water supply networks. Demand for durable piping materials has risen alongside government programmes aimed at improving drinking water access and expanding construction activity in both urban and rural areas.
CPVC, a thermoplastic material known for its resistance to heat, corrosion and chemical damage, is widely used in hot and cold-water systems, fire sprinkler installations, heating and cooling networks, and industrial piping. Its ability to withstand higher temperatures than conventional PVC has made it a common choice for modern plumbing systems.
According to Lubrizol, the Vilayat facility strengthens local availability of CPVC resin while reducing dependence on imported supplies. The company said the project is designed to support long-term demand from residential, commercial and industrial construction projects.
“Lubrizol introduced CPVC technology to India more than two decades ago, and since then, we have witnessed strong growth of the market alongside the country’s expanding economy,” said Abhishek Shrivastav, Managing Director, Lubrizol IMEA.
“With the commissioning of this world-class facility in Vilayat, we are strengthening our manufacturing capabilities in India by following a local-for-local approach. This investment underscores our long-term commitment to India by enabling consistent access to high-quality, locally produced materials backed by Lubrizol’s global standards of innovation, reliability, and performance.”
The commissioning of the plant also coincides with Lubrizol’s 60th year of operations in India. The company entered the Indian market in 1966 and later introduced CPVC technology to the country in 2001. Over the years, CPVC has become a significant material in India’s plumbing sector, particularly as urbanisation and water infrastructure spending accelerated.
The Vilayat project traces its origins to an agreement announced in 2020 between Lubrizol and Grasim Industries, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group. At the time, the companies outlined plans to establish what was described as India’s largest CPVC resin manufacturing facility. Construction activity gained momentum in 2023 when the partners formally began developing the site.
Industry reports issued during the project’s construction phase stated that the facility was designed with an annual capacity of around 100,000 metric tonnes of CPVC resin, making it one of the largest single-site CPVC production facilities in the world. The project was also intended to complement Lubrizol’s expansion at Dahej, where CPVC compounding capacity was increased to meet rising domestic demand.
Grasim’s role in the partnership centres on manufacturing and operational execution. The company is one of India’s largest chemical producers and operates extensive chlor-alkali and speciality chemical businesses. The Vilayat location offers access to raw materials and chemical infrastructure already present within Grasim’s industrial complex.
Mr Jayant V Dhobley, Business Head & CEO, Global Chemicals, Aditya Birla Group, said: “This brings together Grasim’s manufacturing and execution capability in India with Lubrizol’s latest technology to deliver reliable CPVC materials for the market. It reflects our approach of building and collaborating to scalable chemical manufacturing capabilities together.”
For India’s chemical manufacturing sector, the project reflects a wider trend of multinational companies increasing production within the country rather than relying on imports. Government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing have encouraged investments in chemicals, speciality materials and industrial supply chains.
The development is also significant for the construction materials industry. India’s real estate market, industrial parks, logistics facilities and public infrastructure projects continue to drive demand for advanced piping systems. Programmes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide tap water connections to rural households, have increased attention on durable and reliable water distribution networks.
Industry analysts have noted that CPVC demand in India has grown steadily over the past decade as builders and infrastructure developers seek materials that require less maintenance and offer longer service life. CPVC pipes are commonly used in apartment buildings, hospitals, hotels, schools and industrial facilities where resistance to corrosion and high temperatures is important.
The new plant is expected to strengthen supply chain reliability for pipe and fitting manufacturers that rely on CPVC resin as a key raw material. Local production can also help reduce exposure to global shipping disruptions and fluctuations in international supply.
Beyond Vilayat and Dahej, Lubrizol has recently expanded several operations in India. The company has commissioned a Global Capabilities Centre in Pune, enlarged its office facilities in Mumbai’s Vikhroli area and announced plans for a dedicated India Innovation Centre. These investments indicate a broader strategy that extends beyond manufacturing into research, engineering and technical support.
The company said it will continue operating its Indian facilities under global safety and environmental standards. Chemical manufacturers in India face increasing scrutiny regarding emissions, waste management and resource use, making environmental performance an important consideration for new industrial projects.
For Gujarat, the latest investment adds to the state’s position as one of India’s leading chemical manufacturing hubs. Bharuch district, where both Vilayat and Dahej are located, hosts numerous petrochemical, chemical and materials manufacturing facilities due to its industrial infrastructure, port connectivity and access to feedstocks.
As India’s demand for housing, industrial development and water infrastructure continues to grow, manufacturers of construction materials are expanding capacity to keep pace. The opening of the Vilayat CPVC resin facility represents one of the largest recent additions to India’s CPVC production network and signals continued confidence in the country’s long-term infrastructure and manufacturing growth prospects.