Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is continuing to invest in its global production network for high-performance plastics and is building another compounding facility at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site, Germany, for a mid double-digit million euro amount. Starting in the second half of 2019, LANXESS will produce Durethan and Pocan engineering plastics, which are used primarily in the automotive as well as the electrical and electronics industry. In addition, a warehouse and a silo facility will be built. Construction will begin in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the investment will create around 20 new jobs at the Krefeld-Uerdingen site.
“The high-performance plastics business is a central pillar of our growth strategy. By expanding capacity, we are further strengthening our position as a provider of innovative product solutions for modern mobility. At the same time, we are making even better use of the potential of our integrated value chain for these products,” said Hubert Fink, Member of the LANXESS Board of Management. “The investment also shows that we are strongly committed to North Rhine-Westphalia as a business location,” he added.
Lightweight solutions for modern mobility
LANXESS’ high-performance plastics allow the construction of components that replace metal parts in motor vehicles and thus contribute to reducing weight, fuel consumption and emissions. The innovative materials are used, for example, in engine applications, door structures, pedals, front ends and cockpit cross members. Depending on the part, the lightweight construction can make a weight-saving of up to 50 percent.
There are also many applications for LANXESS plastics in hybrid and electric vehicles, some of which are already successful in mass production. These include components for charging systems, carriers and cell holders for battery systems as well as sensors and housing parts for electric motors. The materials also have great potential in electro mobility infrastructure, such as in housing, switches and terminal clips for charging stations.
