LANXESS invests €40 million in Krefeld-Uerdingen site
Specialty chemicals group LANXESS is strengthening its Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, site by investing about €40 million in two major projects for its basic chemicals (BAC) business unit. It is building a production plant for the formalin needed to make trimethylolpropane (TMP). The applications of this trivalent alcohol include numerous products used in the furniture, construction and automotive industries. In addition, LANXESS is responding to strong global demand for menthol by investing in the expansion of its existing menthol production facilities. Synthetic menthol is a key component of numerous aromas and pharmaceutical products.
“Our construction of a new formalin plant and expansion of menthol production is a positive development for the future of this site and the entire region,” said LANXESS AG board member Werner Breuers at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new formalin plant in Krefeld-Uerdingen. “LANXESS has strong roots in North Rhine-Westphalia and this will remain the case. The investments we are making here, at our second largest site worldwide, will play a key role in enabling us to continue producing competitive premium products for all the world markets.”
LANXESS is a manufacturer and supplier of TMP worldwide. Building its own formalin plant will reinforce this position and eliminate the need to purchase the TMP precursor from external suppliers.
“What’s more, we are giving the site a boost, saving on transport costs and improving our energy efficiency through process optimization measures,” explained Hubert Fink, the new head of the basic chemicals business unit.
In addition to the plant itself, new formalin and methanol tanks will also be built on a total area of 1,000 square meters. The new formalin plant is due to start up at the end of 2011.
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