The Hindu Business Line : Dow Chem to set up R&D centre in Pune

Mumbai, Oct 31 Global chemical giant Dow Chemicals through its subsidiary Dow Chemicals International Pvt Ltd would invest over $ 100 million (Rs 400 crore) in Maharashtra to set up a global R & D centre.

The facility will come up at Chakan near Pune for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday with the Government of Maharashtra.

Mr V K Jairath, Industries Secretary of Maharashtra Government and Mr Vipul Shah, CEO of Dow Chemical International Pvt Ltd signed the MoU in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh. Mr Deshmukh said, “I am happy with this development and confident that Dow’s track-record as a global leader will see setting up of a world-class R&D centre at Chakan, putting this small village on the global R&D map.”

The centre is expected to be operational by 2008 and will employ 500 researchers by 2010. Initial project related activities are underway on the 100 acre allotted to the company by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation and more than 125 researchers are now with the company.

Mr. Vipul Shah said: “With total investment going beyond $100 million, the centre will have the capacity to bring a new product to market – from concept to commercialisation. The R&D centre will be an integrated centre.

Mr V.K. Jairath said, “Through our association with a global leader like Dow for establishing this world class R&D centre, we take a step forward towards our goal of boosting the economic development in the state through rapid industrialisation. We have constantly endeavoured to accelerate sustainable development through industrial growth across the state of Maharashtra.” This is the first major research centre to be built by Dow outside the US with capabilities second only to Michigan centre. The centre will have the capabilities to conduct research to in the areas of identifying new molecules and developing novel applications for existing ones. This will be an integrated centre, serving multiple disciplines like catalysis, organic synthesis, new product platforms and process R&D.

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