Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. recently signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kanoria Chemicals and Industries Limited to form a joint venture  that would construct a new phenolic specialty resins plant in India at Kanoria's existing production facility at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

In addition, under the agreement, for a cash consideration, Kanoria would transfer its currently existing manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam to the proposed JV, while Momentive Specialty Chemicals would provide technology supporting its specialty phenolic resins, formaldehyde and hexamine businesses, as well as its current business in India, to the JV. It is envisioned that both parties would have equal (50%) ownership of the JV. Under the MOU, the companies will work to identify and evaluate additional growth opportunities for specialty chemicals in such vertical markets as automotive, industrial and construction.

The non-binding MOU is just a first step in the process of setting up the contemplated JV, outlining the main principles around which the JV should be structured, although both parties are committed to further pursuing this transaction, at this time no assurances can be given that the envisaged transaction will eventually materialize.