Valvoline Cummins Ltd. (VCL), a joint venture between Ashland Inc. and Cummins India Limited, today announced the opening of its new laboratories for R&D and Product Development along with a world-class training facility, at its Ambernath plant, close to Mumbai. All the three facilities were formally inaugurated by Dr. Frances E. Lockwood, Senior Vice-President and Global Chief Technology Officer, Ashland Consumer markets. The new R&D facility is integrated with the Valvoline Global R&D facility at Lexington, Kentucky, USA. This facility will undertake research and development for futuristic products and technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Kalia - Chief Executive Officer, Valvoline Cummins Ltd. said, "We believe in serving our customers and stakeholders with the best of our products and services, and in doing so, investing in facilities is just another step towards achieving this belief. We plan to develop new technologically advanced products in these laboratories. The aim of the Lube Training Center would be to provide quality training on engines, transmissions, cooling systems, besides lubricants, to our channel partners and customers."

Valvoline has established its brand in the Indian market and today, is one of the largest lube manufacturing and marketing companies. Last year, Valvoline inaugurated its own fully integrated toll blending facility at Ambernath (near Mumbai) in Maharashtra and produces ValvolineTM automotive lubricants for the consumer, industrial and heavy-duty markets.