The Hindu Business Line : US coating co Nukote to set up factory in India

ENTERING INDIA: Mr P. Sathish Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, Chemin Coatings Pvt Ltd, and Mr Michael S. Osborne, President and CEO, Nukote Coating Systems International, at a press conference in Chennai on Tuesday. — Bijoy Ghosh

Chennai , April 18

Nukote Coating Systems International, a US-based industrial coating products manufacturer, plans to set up a factory in India, according to Mr Michael S. Osborne, President-CEO (Global), Nukote Coating.

"Though it's still early days to provide details of the investment and location, the facility would commence production in 12-15 months. This facility will serve the market here and export to other countries in the region," he said.

Mr Osborne was addressing a press conference here on Tuesday to introduce its distributor for South India, Chemin Coatings Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai.

Advanced concept

"Nukote is an advanced concept in industrial coating that can be used in a wide range of industries. Unlike solvent-based paints it is a molecular plastic, an advanced progressive polymer coating, that sets at a high temperature.

"Since there are no solvents or evaporation Nukote Coating can be applied even while a factory is in operation. You can walk on it within a minute of application," he explained.

Nukote's team could cover over 2,000 sq m in a day.The product could be used in petroleum industry, coating pipelines, flooring, roofs and nuclear and other containment facilities, according to Mr Osborne.

In India, Nukote is looking at oil, gas and the entire range of petroleum products industry, civil construction and marine sectors. Nukote's sales are over $ 97 million globally.

It entered the markets in the Gulf just over a year ago and its sales are about $ 2-3 million a month. In India its products would be imported initially, which would help to familiarise them in the market.

Once its production facility starts the cost would drop by a third and this would give it a wider reach, he said.

"Chemin Coatings is a qualified applicator of Nukote's system and will get Nukote's support, including provision of their insurance backed product and application warranties.

"Nukote's products have AIG insurance cover for $ 1 million a failure occurrence - a unique facility in the coating industry," according to Mr Osborne.