Stahl reopens facility in Ranipet

Stahl, one of the global leaders in specialty coatings for flexible materials, has reopened its advanced coatings facility in Ranipet, India. This milestone marks a significant step in Stahl’s transformation journey and reinforces the strategic importance of its presence in India.

The reopening reinforces Stahl’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and customer collaboration through locally produced, high-performance specialty coatings.

Initially inaugurated in April 2000, the Ranipet facility remained operational until its closure in 2019. Following Stahl’s recent announcement of the divestment of its wet-end activities, the site has officially reopened with a future focused on leather finishing, performance and packaging coatings.

The upgraded Ranipet facility brings together coatings formulations production, R&D and application lab and testing capabilities, all under one roof. This comprehensive setup accelerates development cycles, strengthens customer collaboration and enables Stahl to co-innovate with partners. With the enhanced innovation lab, the company can respond swiftly to evolving market needs and scale operations in-line with growing demand, driving innovation from within the region. Stahl shall continue to further strengthen its capabilities in manufacturing, R&D and application at the Ranipet facility in accordance with market needs and opportunities.

India’s position as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies makes local production a key strategic advantage for Stahl and its customers. The reopening of the Ranipet facility strengthens Stahl’s footprint in India, aligning with its customer-centric ‘local for global’ business model.

India is a key growth market across all three of Stahl’s business segments, and the enhanced capabilities of the site enable the company to serve both regional and global customers with greater proximity, agility and impact.

'The reopening of our Ranipet site is an important milestone in Stahl’s transformation journey,' said Maarten Heijbroek, CEO of Stahl. 'This investment reflects our strategic focus and aligns our capabilities with future market demands. Being able to produce locally in India, an essential growth market, strengthens our position and enables us to better support our customers with tailored, innovative solutions.'

Equipped with the latest technology and automated systems, this future-proof facility is fully compliant with environmental and safety regulations. It features a wastewater treatment system that recycles all process water, resulting in zero liquid waste—positioning the facility as suitable for sustainable and future-ready manufacturing.

With around 140 employees on-site—many of whom have been with Stahl since the early 2000s—the reopening also represents a homecoming. The employees' loyalty, expertise and energy will be instrumental in ensuring the success of the site’s next chapter.

'Ranipet has always been a special place for Stahl and its reopening is both a homecoming and a new beginning,' added Ranganath BV, managing director, India and Bangladesh. 'Our dedicated professionals have the expertise and passion to drive customer success both in India and worldwide. This modern, sustainable facility strengthens our ability to serve customers locally while contributing to Stahl’s global innovation journey.'

The reopening of the Ranipet facility represents more than a return—it reflects Stahl’s long-term commitment to innovation, customer proximity and strategic growth across India and beyond. With its modern infrastructure and highly skilled workforce, the Ranipet facility is set to play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable, high-performance products, while reinforcing Stahl’s presence in this vital growth region.