LANXESS Expands Production Capacity for High-Performance Rubber

LANXESS has started expanding its manufacturing facilities in Texas, U.S. and Germany to produce synthetic high-performance rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR).

The expansion will support the company’s growth strategy and help meet the growing worldwide demand for this high-performance material.

The U.S and German production facility expansion work is expected to be completed by December 2012 and April 2012, respectively. LANXESS will invest minimum amount in the expansion work and the HNBR materials will be traded under the Therban brand name. At present, the global Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber market is growing rapidly due to increasing demand from Chinese and Indian automotive manufacturers.

LANXESS has developed the Therban high-performance elastomer for specific applications. This synthetic rubber is resistant to high temperatures as well as to oil, ozone and fuels. It is used in the automotive sector for production of toothed belts and v-belts and in the oil extraction field for stator or rotor systems.

(Source: http://www.azom.com/news.asp?NewsID=28806)