its technology and application
know-how Archroma is well positioned to participate more intensively in this growing market.”
The new application laboratory will
also allow Archroma to quickly run application tests for packaging producers,
as well as to develop customized recipes
for them.
During the last few years, Archroma
has launched several eco-advanced in-
novations in the area of food packaging.
Its solutions are widely accepted in the
market and the company is continuing to
strengthen its capacities in order to sup-
port the segment’s increasing demands.
Examples include:
Cartaguard KST liq: A cationic fluo-
ropolymer providing a strong and long-
lasting barrier to grease and water. FDA
and BfR approved.
Cartaseal HFU liq: A recyclable wax
alternative coating for corrugated packaging and multipurpose water barrier coating. Fluorine-free and FDA compliant.
Cartaseal VWF liq: Extremely flexible
water vapor barrier coating imparting
grease, oil, fat and solvent resistance. It
is a FDA and BfR approved fluorine-free
alternative providing complete protection
ideal for ream wrap, food and pharmaceutical packaging.
“These products are great examples
highlighting Archroma’s ability to provide
a specific solution for every individual
packaging challenge: be it superior barrier properties to oil, water and water vapor, be it excellent printability, glueability,
and heat sealability, or temperature resistance. With the new Center of Excellence
for Surface & Coating we will be able to
collaborate even more closely with customers,” said Andy Bell, Global Product
Manager Surface & Coating. “Safety and
sustainability are two areas to which we
pay special attention, which is why our innovation pipeline is geared up to provide
new food contact approved solutions with
a strong focus on recyclability and biode-gradability,” added Andy Bell.
Covestro Continues MDI
Production in Tarragona
Materials manufacturer Covestro has
resolved to continue manufacturing the
rigid foam precursor MDI in Tarragona
(Spain). The plant closure that had origi-
nally been planned for the end of 2017
has been suspended for the time being.
The main reason for this decision was
the significant increase in demand for
MDI. Furthermore, Covestro has man-
aged to get access to important raw ma-
terials – in particular chlorine – for the
Tarragona site for the next years beyond
the end of 2017. According to current
plans, the impact on the employees will
be minimized.
“This is good news for the Tarragona
site and our employees. Through our
continued operations in Tarragona,
we want to reliably meet our customers’ growth further on,” said Andrea
Firenze, Managing Director of Covestro
S.L. in Spain.
The continuous optimization of the
production worldwide remains an important element of Covestro’s strategy. The
aim is to operate the most efficient facilities when compared with competitors.
“The decision is a clear statement that
we remain committed to the MDI market. We will investigate various options
for additional MDI to cover the growing demand”, added Markus Steilemann,
Head of the Business Unit Polyurethanes
and Board Member for Innovation. In
this context, Covestro is committed to its
plans to increase MDI production at its
German site in Brunsbüttel.
MDI is an important component in
the manufacture of polyurethane rigid
foam, which is amongst other applications used for effective building insulation and along the entire cold chain. The
energy savings achieved lead to reductions in CO2 emissions.
LANXESS Invests €100
Million, Primarily in its
German Sites
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS
continues to target growth. During
the next three years, its business unit
Advanced Industrial Intermediates will
be investing some EUR 100 million in ex-
panding production facilities for chemical
intermediates. Around EUR 40 million
each will be invested in the Leverkusen
and Krefeld-Uerdingen sites in the federal
state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The
rest will be used to expand the facilities
in Brunsbüttel (federal state of Schleswig-
Holstein), and Antwerp (Belgium). The
expansion project is scheduled for com-
pletion by 2020.
“Organic growth is a key success
factor as new LANXESS heads forward.
This investment program accompanies
the dynamic development of our customers and their sectors. A high proportion of the planned new capacities
is already backed by customers’ orders.
At the same time, we are also strengthening our sites, particularly in North
Rhine-Westphalia,” said Hubert Fink,
member of the Board of Management
of LANXESS AG.
At the Krefeld-Uerdingen site, the plan
is to expand production facilities for trimethylolpropane, hexanediol and menthols to accommodate growing demand
on global markets. Trimethylolpropane
and hexanediol are important for products in the automotive, furniture and
construction industries, for example.
Synthetic menthol is a key component of
many aromas and pharmaceutical products. LANXESS had already started gradually increasing the capacities for these
products in recent years. Now the company is planning new expansion measures.
Construction work is set to commence
during the coming year.
At the Leverkusen site capacity expansion for special amines is scheduled
to start this year. Special amines are
mainly used as intermediates for further
processing and ultimately in the automotive sector.
LANXESS will increase the capacity
of the MEA plant at Brunsbüttel in the
course of the year and will invest up to
EUR 15 million. The abbreviation MEA
stands for 2-methyl-6-ethylaniline, which
is required mainly as a precursor for crop
protection herbicides.
At the Kallo/Antwerp site, LANXESS
will invest a mid-single digit euro million
figure to expand its production capacities for rubber chemicals. The Advanced
Industrial Intermediates business unit
employs around 2,100 workers and is a
leading manufacturer of high-quality industrial chemicals. CW
