Geomembranes for the Energy Transition Renolit Opens New Plant in India

Renolit has begun producing geomembranes for the energy transition at its facility in Pune, India. Construction of the new plant was completed in just 15 months.

On October 14, 2026, plastics processor Renolit officially opened its new plant in Pune, India. After a construction period of fifteen months, the company is now producing geomembranes—sealing membranes used in civil engineering projects—at the facility. These are used in the reservoirs of pumped-storage power plants. The plant is also capable of manufacturing other types of membranes, including tunnel membranes and specialized waterproofing materials for dam repairs.

The new production facility is designed for an annual capacity of 6,000 metric tons and employs approximately 30 people. According to Renolit, the new plant marks another important step in its long-term growth strategy in India and simultaneously strengthens its ability to supply the Asia-Pacific market.

Grand Opening of the New Location

“With our new plant in Pune, we are strengthening our presence in an important market of the future. At the same time, our geomembranes are making a tangible contribution to India’s energy transition. The growing importance of renewable energy and high-performance storage solutions opens up attractive prospects for long-term growth,” said Karsten Jänicke, CEO of Renolit.

The plastics processor celebrated the successful completion of the construction phase and the start of production together with employees, key suppliers, and customers. The celebration began with a traditional Indian ceremony and was rounded out with a roughly 45-minute Indian cultural program featuring traditional dances from various Indian states.

Geomembranes for the Energy Transition

As part of its energy transition, India is increasingly turning to integrated projects for storing renewable energy. These include so-called Integrated Renewable Energy Storage Projects (IREP), which combine hydro, solar, and wind power with pumped-storage technology. The reservoirs created for these projects require large quantities of high-quality, durable geomembranes.

Renolit works closely with Carpi Tech, a Swiss company specializing in the waterproofing of hydraulic structures, in this area. The plastics processor has been manufacturing geomembranes for many years, which Carpi Tech uses for waterproofing solutions in pumped-storage power plants.

The geomembranes must meet the highest standards. They retain water in the reservoirs while withstanding ground movements and the forces exerted by the water. Renolit’s geomembranes can compensate for settlement and seismic effects, are UV-resistant, and are designed for extreme climatic conditions. Their service life can be up to 100 years.

On-site production strengthens customer relationships and delivery capabilities

With its new plant in Pune, Renolit will be able to manufacture geomembranes directly in India in the future. Local production not only reduces long shipping distances but also facilitates on-site quality control. As a result, specific customer requirements from the Asia-Pacific market can be incorporated even more directly into product development and manufacturing.

“For our Roof & Water Care business unit, the new plant in Pune is a key competitive advantage. Local production allows us to be closer to our customers, respond more quickly to their needs, and significantly strengthen our delivery capabilities in the local market. At the same time, we are laying the groundwork to further expand our geomembrane business in the Asia-Pacific market in a targeted manner,” says Joan Porquera, head of the Roof & Water Care business unit.

Pune has been an important production site for the plastics processor for many years. Since 2010, Renolit Wood-Stock, a wood-plastic composite for the automotive and construction industries, has been manufactured there. With the new plant, Renolit is now expanding its production in the region to include geomembranes.