Interview with Sushmita Datta, Head of HPM Business Unit

Durethan® and Pocan® from the High Performance Materials (HPM) Business Unit will be among the line-up of products featured at Plastindia 2012. We catch up with Sushmita Datta, Head of HPM business unit, on her thoughts, as well as to congratulate her on the opening of the new HPM plant at Jhagadia on January 31, 2012. 

Congratulations on the opening of the new plant for high performance plastics! So what does this mean for the HPM business in India?

Thank you. It indeed is a significant development for the business unit in India. Now we would be able to cater to the needs of the Indian customers with lesser turnaround time. Also, it is our global business strategy to expand our production network to wherever our customers are present and this plant is a realization of this strategy.

Which markets worldwide would this plant supply to? Would it only cater to Indian markets or to external markets as well?

India is on course to become the third largest consumer market for high-tech plastics after the United States and China, driven by the fast growing automotive industry. Global automakers, as well as their suppliers, are already active in India and are investing in new plants in the subcontinent. Hence, majority of the production from this plant is intended to be marketed in the Indian subcontinent.

Our plant in Jhagadia, India, produces world class grades of Durethan® and Pocan®, and will also export these products to countries in the Asia Pacific region. However, the main focus of this plant is to cater to the Indian customers.

Which industries have demand for Durethan® and Pocan®? What are their potential applications in India?

The automotive and the electronics and electrical industry are the largest customer segments for the HPM business unit, which produces Durethan® and Pocan®.

In India, we have around 75% of our business with the automobile sector. Some of the auto components made out of Durethan® are hybrid front end module, outer door handles, outer mirror components, oil filters, connectors etc. At our booth in PlastIndia 2012, we are exhibiting some of these applications like fuel tank, air tank manifold, head lamp connector among others.

Pocan finds several applications in the electrical and electronics industry like refrigerator display, lightning arrestor for photovoltaics, micro USB plug, bobbin for electrical motors and washing machines, which will also be exhibited at PlastIndia 2012.

We understand that LANXESS has several products for the automobile industry and it also focuses on sustainable development. How does the HPM business unit fit in here? Do they help protect the environment in any way?

Yes, sustainable development is at the core of whatever business we undertake at LANXESS. The Durethan® and Pocan® product range too improves performance of cars by reducing fuel consumption and thus reduces carbon emissions from the vehicles. These highly innovative products represent a lighter-weight plastic alternative to metals. Plastic parts made of Durethan® and Pocan® from LANXESS are particularly valued for their resistance, versatility and lightweight design. In addition, these products enable carmakers and car parts suppliers to make considerable savings through cheaper production and easier assembly.

Hybrid components made from plastic and metal or nylon composite sheet are increasingly replacing heavy sheet metal parts in automotive applications. LANXESS is working with automakers and automotive suppliers to keep up the momentum. Thus we are working towards Green Mobility by finding out newer applications of our high performance products.

Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Sushmita Datta.