ExxonMobil lays foundation stone for lube blending plant in India

ExxonMobil laid the foundation stone of its new lubricant-manufacturing plant in Raigad, Maharashtra, India, which when completed will have the capacity to manufacture 159,000 kiloliters of finished lubricants annually. 

The plant, with an investment outlay of INR900 crores (USD110 million), will be built in Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation’s Isambe Industrial Area in Raigad. The investment is aimed at localising manufacturing of high-performance lubricants, which will cater to the growing demand from India’s industrial and automotive sectors. 

During the construction phase, the plant is expected to create more than 1,200 new jobs.

Present during the event were Dave Hergenrether, VP, Finished Lubricants, ExxonMobil Product Solutions Company, a division of ExxonMobil Corporation; Monte Dobson, lead country manager for ExxonMobil affiliates in India, and Vipin Rana, CEO of ExxonMobil Lubricants Pvt Ltd. 

Once operational the plant will also support the local economy by creating a vibrant manufacturing ecosystem that will potentially benefit several ancillary sectors. In a significant boost to “Make in India,” a large part of the base stocks, additives, and all packaging will be sourced from local businesses when the plant begins production. 

“This sizable investment in India’s domestic manufacturing of lubricants will further cement our reputation as a trusted provider of high-quality products designed for the Indian market. We understand the aspirations of our customers and tailor our products to meet their specifications. With the new facility, we can further optimise our supply chain and meet the growing demand seamlessly,” said  Rana.