PennWhite Opens New Manufacturing Hub in Chennai

#SpecialtyChemicals #MakeInIndia #PennWhite #ChennaiManufacturing #IndustrialGrowth #ChemicalEngineering #Sustainability

"Our PennWhite India plant represents far more than an expansion of our operations. It establishes a strong and strategic presence for PennWhite in Asia, enabling us to better serve our regional customers while opening the door to new partnerships and opportunities. Our goal is to not only supply products that meet a need but to build lasting relationships founded on trust, quality and mutual success." - Devaki Muthiah Chardon, Chairperson - PennWhite Limited (UK)

May 2026 : PennWhite India Private Limited (PWI) has officially inaugurated its manufacturing facility in Oragadam, Chennai. This move marks a full-circle journey for the UK-based specialty chemical leader, which was acquired in 2022 by India’s own Manali Petrochemicals Limited (MPL), part of the AM International group.

The newly commissioned plant isn’t just a collection of steel and pipes; it is a strategic engine designed to produce high-end foam control chemistry for the Indian and broader Asian markets. Remarkably, the team transformed the site from a long-term lease agreement into a fully operational, ISO 9001-certified facility in just 18 months. By mirroring the exacting manufacturing standards of its UK counterpart, the Chennai plant ensures that local customers receive global-grade quality without the logistical hurdles of international shipping.

The inauguration ceremony was a high-profile gathering of international leadership and diplomacy. Attendees included Mrs. Devaki Muthiah Chardon, Chairperson of PennWhite Limited (UK), and Mrs. Sutapa Choudhury, Deputy High Commissioner (designate) from the British High Commission. Their presence underscored the facility’s role as a symbol of successful cross-border investment and industrial collaboration.

Speaking on the long-term vision, Devaki Muthiah Chardon, Chairperson PennWhite Limited (UK), said: "Our PennWhite India plant represents far more than an expansion of our operations. It establishes a strong and strategic presence for PennWhite in Asia, enabling us to better serve our regional customers while opening the door to new partnerships and opportunities. Our goal is to not only supply products that meet a need but to build lasting relationships founded on trust, quality and mutual success."

Tobias Tasche, Chief Executive Officer of PennWhite Limited, UK and a Director of PennWhite India Private Limited, India, added: "The inauguration of this facility at Oragadam is a significant step in our India strategy. Since MPL's acquisition of PennWhite in 2022, we have steadily expanded our presence - incorporating PennWhite India in 2024, acquiring a defoamer business in India last year, and now commissioning this plant. We are committed to serving Indian customers with locally manufactured products that meet the same specifications and standards our international customers have come to rely upon."

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