Ansell, a global leader in personal protective equipment (PPE), recently marked the first phase of Go Live for Packing & Irradiation Operations at its new Kovai manufacturing facility in India, where they have so far invested $80 million in this plant. 

When completed in 2024, Ansell Kovai will occupy a 70,734 square meter area, encompassing a 43,000 sq. mt. manufacturing plant, compounding facility, dipping hall, post-processing building, warehouse, packaging facility, administrative block, canteen, biomass hot water generators, and an industrial Gamma irradiator.

Completing this plant will set a new benchmark for Ansell's sustainable manufacturing. When the site is fully operational, this facility will mark a glove-industry milestone by operating with zero liquid discharge, meaning that all wastewater is fully recycled and re-used in production.

In addition, all the Kovai buildings are designed according to criteria established by the Indian Green Building Council in 2001 to support India's aim to become a global leader in sustainably-built environments by 2025. A 'sustainably built' environment is designed for longevity, flexibility, adaptability, re-use and recoverability, and considers future climate risks.

Kovai staff will approach 1,800 employees, with most employees hired from the local area plus room for additional future headcount.

This new plant in India contributes to Ansell’s production capabilities, especially in emerging markets, and strengthens Ansell’s global multi-sourcing strategies. While production primarily focuses on manufacturing surgical and life sciences products, this facility is designed with significant future expansion capability to accommodate a wide range of Ansell products, such as examination glove line, and support differentiated growth strategy in the coming years.