Global speciality chemical company Lanxess is planning to invest nearly €25m in its Antwerp’s integrated production complex, which is engaged in manufacturing polyamide and precursors for plastics.
Announced on the site’s 50th anniversary of caprolactam production, the investment is expected to further enhance the efficiency of the complex.
Caprolactam is reported to be a key precursor for producing high-tech plastics, which are mainly used by the automotive industry, alongside electrical and electronics manufacturing companies.
To create a balanced value chain for its operations, the company constructed a polymerisation plant in 2014 with an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tonnes connected directly to the caprolactam facility. Produced polyamide was shipped from Antwerp to Lanxess’ global network of compounding facilities, where it was further processed to produce high-tech plastics.
Lanxess’ board of management chairman Matthias Zachert said: “Our integrated production complex in Lillo is the backbone of our global business for high-tech plastics.
“Given the trend toward lightweight construction in the automotive industry, for example, this is a major future market. Therefore we are continuously strengthening the competitiveness of this site.
“In total, our company has invested more than €300m in Lillo since 2004 – a sum that shows our firm commitment to this site.”
The company produces caprolactam and polyamide at its Lillo-Antwerp facility, while glass fibres and rubber chemicals are manufactured at its Kallo site. The company’s third production site ARLANXEO is located Zwijndrecht, which is a joint venture site between LANXESS and Saudi Aramco engaged in the production of synthetic rubber.
Source: Chemicals Technology
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