ATC build plant in India

French leather chemical manufacturers ATC are building a new production facility in Pondicherry, approximately 150 km south of Chennai. Production at the new 2.5 hectare site is due to start in May or June this year. ATC intend to produce up to 10,000 tonnes of leather chemicals a year. This includes syntans, acrylics, binders, fatliquors and other auxiliaries. The new factory will serve ATC's customer base across the whole of India. 'We decided to build a plant close to the Indian market as we expect the leather industry to grow both in terms of the domestic market and exports', Jean-Pierre Gualino ATC president told Leather International. The new factory will be called ATC Chemicals India and approximately 74% will belong to the French company. The remaining share will belong to ATC's Indian partner Mr Raja. The factory will be fully computerised, ISO compliant and will be manufacturing chemicals to the same specifications as those produced at ATC's headquarters in France.