Grasim Industries’ Birla Opus Paints commences operations at Chamarajanagar plant in Karnataka

Grasim Industries Limited, a flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, has achieved a major milestone with the launch of its fourth Birla Opus Paints manufacturing plant in Chamarajanagar, Karnataka. This new facility commenced commercial production on November 19, 2024, marking a strategic leap forward in Grasim’s expansion into the decorative paints sector. The fully automated, state-of-the-art plant is part of the company’s ambitious plan to establish six strategically located facilities across India.

The Chamarajanagar plant, which boasts a production capacity of 230 million litres per annum (MLPA), brings Grasim’s total installed capacity to 866 MLPA. This significant capacity increase propels Birla Opus Paints to the position of the second-largest player in the Indian decorative paints market by installed capacity. With a focus on water-based, solvent-based, and wood finish paints, the plant will cater to the growing demand in India’s southern region while enhancing supply chain efficiency and product quality.

Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, Kumar Mangalam Birla, described this development as a reflection of the company’s bold aspirations and commitment to redefining the paint industry in India. He reaffirmed Grasim’s goal of achieving ₹10,000 crore in revenue within the first three years of full-scale operations for the paints business.

The facility is designed with sustainability and innovation in mind, featuring zero liquid discharge systems and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. These systems enable precision production, end-to-end traceability, and eco-friendly operations. The water-based paints produced here utilize advanced emulsions developed through in-house polymer synthesis, offering consumers features like stain and dirt resistance, high durability, and superior crack-bridging properties. The solvent-based paints incorporate designer molecules to ensure enhanced corrosion resistance and superior gloss.

Birla Opus Paints has already invested ₹8,470 crore of its planned ₹10,000 crore budget for this project. The company has introduced 129 products across multiple categories, covering over 4,300 towns and achieving robust monthly growth in sales. With the addition of the Chamarajanagar plant, the company aims to launch innovative products, reduce logistics costs, and expand its market reach.

CEO of Birla Opus Paints, Rakshit Hargave, emphasized the company’s focus on research and development, environmental sustainability, and advanced technology as key drivers of its success. The plant’s launch was also accompanied by the announcement of a pilot franchisee-led painting service, PaintCraft Partner, aimed at complementing direct painting services.

Grasim’s entry into the decorative paints sector is seen as a transformative step, leveraging the company’s diversified expertise across industries. As it continues to establish its presence in the paints market, the company aims to deliver innovative, high-quality products tailored to the aspirations of a modern India.