The partnership will evaluate Polymer Modified Bitumen and Warm Mix Asphalt technologies aimed at improving road performance, production efficiency and sustainability in India.
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS and Hindustan Colas Private Limited (HINCOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore advanced road construction technologies for India’s infrastructure sector. The collaboration will focus on bitumen and asphalt modification solutions, with joint laboratory and commercial-scale trials planned to assess their technical and commercial potential.
Announced on October 26, 2026, the agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between LANXESS India Private Limited and HINCOL. The companies aim to evaluate technologies that can improve pavement performance, enhance production efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support the development of sustainable road infrastructure.
Focus on Polymer Modified Bitumen Technology
A key part of the agreement is the joint evaluation of LANXESS Addipave CR 36, a cross-linking technology developed for Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) applications.
The technology is expected to help improve PMB production efficiency, product consistency and quality. It is also intended to strengthen operational safety and support better performance of modified bitumen formulations.
Under the proposed arrangement, LANXESS will provide the product, technical expertise and trial support. HINCOL will contribute its testing facilities, operational support and assessment of performance under Indian operating conditions.
The joint evaluations will help the companies examine how the technology performs in local applications and identify potential opportunities for wider adoption in the road construction industry.
Warm Mix Asphalt Technology to Be Evaluated
The collaboration will also cover LANXESS Addipave WM 23, a warm mix asphalt additive technology. Through joint trials and market development initiatives, the companies intend to assess its ability to reduce asphalt production and paving temperatures while maintaining road performance standards.
Lower production and paving temperatures can offer potential benefits, including reduced energy consumption and emissions, as well as improved workplace conditions. The technology is also expected to support more sustainable practices throughout the asphalt paving process.
The planned evaluations will determine the suitability of these solutions for Indian road construction requirements, with the companies seeking to combine technical performance with operational efficiency.
Combining Global Expertise with Local Experience
The partnership brings together LANXESS’ global expertise in specialty additives and formulation technologies with HINCOL’s experience in bitumen technology, road construction solutions and infrastructure projects across India.
Vince Patram, Global Head of Marketing, Business Unit Lubricant Additives at LANXESS, said the collaboration would help the company expand its presence in India through asphalt applications tailored to local market requirements.
Neelanjan Banerjee, Senior Vice President and Global Head of the Business Unit Lubricant Additives at LANXESS, highlighted the need for solutions that improve road performance while supporting sustainability objectives. He said the partnership would focus on demonstrating the value of Addipave technologies and developing solutions to improve operational efficiency, quality and environmental performance.
Debashis Chakraverty, CEO and Director of HINCOL, said the collaboration brings together complementary expertise and would allow both companies to evaluate technologies with the potential to enhance pavement performance and create long-term value for India’s road construction industry.
Supporting India’s Infrastructure Development
The MoU comes as India continues to develop its transportation infrastructure and requires road construction solutions that balance performance, efficiency and environmental considerations.
LANXESS, which reported sales of EUR 5.7 billion in 2025, operates in 32 countries and employs approximately 11,500 people. HINCOL is one of India’s leading providers of bitumen, modified bitumen products and road construction solutions.
The agreement establishes a framework for technical and commercial evaluation. The companies have not announced a commercial rollout timeline or specific deployment targets for the technologies under consideration.
