Stahl reopens advanced coatings facility in Tamil Nadu

The global leader in speciality coatings for flexible materials, Stahl, has announced the reopening of its advanced coatings facility in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu. This development reaffirms the strategic importance of its presence in India, one of the world's most rapidly growing economies.

The Ranipet site, which was originally established in 2000 and remained operational until 2019, has been revitalised. Following Stahl’s recent announcement of the divestment of its wet-end activities, it has officially reopened the site with a future focused on leather finishing, performance coatings, and packaging coatings.

The Ranipet site will function as a comprehensive innovation hub, consolidating coatings production, R&D, and application testing under one roof. This all-in-one set-up is designed to accelerate product development cycles, foster collaboration with customers, and enable the company to co-innovate directly with partners. By driving innovation from within the region, Stahl can respond to market shifts and scale operations efficiently to meet growing demand.

This modernisation also brings significant environmental advances. The facility is set to be equipped with the latest technology and automated systems, featuring a wastewater treatment system that recycles all process water. This results in zero liquid waste, positioning the Ranipet plant as a model for sustainable manufacturing.

The decision to reopen strengthens Stahl’s footprint in India, aligning with its customer-centric ‘local for global’ business model. Being able to produce locally in this key growth market provides a strategic advantage, ensuring greater agility and proximity for both regional and international customers.

Maarten Heijbroek, CEO of Stahl, noted, “The reopening of our Ranipet site is an important milestone in Stahl’s transformation journey.” He added, “This investment reflects our strategic focus and aligns our capabilities with future market demands. Being able to produce locally in India — an essential growth market — strengthens our position and enables us to better support our customers with tailored, innovative solutions.”

Ranganath BV, managing director – India and Bangladesh, remarked, “Ranipet has always been a special place for Stahl, and its reopening is both a homecoming and a new beginning.” He added, “Our dedicated professionals have the expertise and passion to drive customer success both in India and worldwide. This modern, sustainable facility strengthens our ability to serve customers locally while contributing to Stahl’s global innovation journey.”