Ashland Inc. today opened its new technical center in Mumbai to develop additives and ingredients for the coatings and construction industry. The company said it expects to expand the technical center to develop products for the personal care industry in early 2012.

"We are extremely pleased to open this high-technology facility in India," said John Panichella, president, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, during the opening ceremony. "We recognize the value and expertise available in India and look forward to the opportunities our new technical center will bring to this growing region of the world," he added.

The technical center offers the latest technologies for rheological additives, surfactants, foam-control agents, buffers for water-based paints, additives for cement dry ad-mix and for construction chemicals.

Nandu Dhekne, vice president, Asia Pacific, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, spoke to those gathered during the customer welcome reception before the opening ceremony. "We have centered our efforts on bringing a world-class facility to India and have accomplished that goal," he said. "The technical and support functions that will be associated with this facility will continue to position Ashland Specialty Ingredients as an industry leader." Plans call for the technical center to be expanded to offer solutions for the personal care industry in early 2012.