Market Insights

Bayer Consolidates Polycarbonate Business in Indian Subcontinent

Posted on 28 January, 2010 | Tags:

Global sheet market is expected to grow at around 5 percent over the next years with major growth in Asia and Latin America. However Indian polycarbonate sheet market is expected to grow at around 15 percent over the next few years.

Bayer MaterialSciences has recently entered a Joint Venture (JV) with Ahmedabad based Malibu Plastica Private Ltd. Bayer, one of the largest polymer companies of the world is growing its Asia Pacific business to meet the demands of the emerging economy. "A key to element of this strategy is to focus more attention on important markets like India," observes Thomas-Karl Kastner, Global Head of Bayer Material Science´s polycarbonate sheet business.
Polycarbonate sheets are widely used in mass transportation, construction projects, for safety and security in industrial applications such as safeguard in machinery industry and bulletproof glazing as well as signage and communication applications.  Bayer MaterialScience and SABIC IP are the global market leaders in this field.
Strong demand of these sheets is driven by local investments in infrastructure. Global sheet market is expected to grow at around 5 percent over the next years with major growth in Asia and Latin America. In India polycarbonate sheet market is expected to grow at around 15 percent over the next few years.
India has shown significant growth and is one of the most important emerging economies of the world, international players are focusing on as apart of their growth strategy. The JV Company, Bayer Malibu Polymers Private Limited will be headquartered in Ahmedabad.
This JV is focused on the Indian subcontinent. Geographically, India is a very important location and a strategic market for our polycarbonate sheet business.
"The existing infrastructure of the JV will enable faster market penetration for the local and global product and solutions portfolio of Bayer MaterialScience," he points out. The existing production line of Malibu, together with the latest high quality product solutions from Bayer will offer the Indian market tailored solutions and services based on individual customer requirements. "The polycarbonate sheet business of Bayer MaterialScience will continue to strengthen its position in profitable markets and applications" concludes Kastner.