platform provides a robust and reliable
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bio-based content as it enables transparency and reliability across the value chain
by means of a robust audit trail.
LANXESS Increases
Capacities for Iron Oxide
Pigments
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is
expanding the capacity of its global produc-
tion network to safeguard customer supply
in the long term. In Krefeld-Uerdingen, site
of the world’s largest synthetic iron oxide
pigment plant, production capacities for
red and black pigments will be gradually
increased by around 23,000 metric tons,
from the current 280,000 metric tons, by
2019. Furthermore, by means of mod-
ernization, LANXESS is also expanding
capacities for yellow pigments by another
2,000 metric tons per year at its site in
Porto Feliz, Brazil. LANXESS already ex-
panded its global production network re-
cently by starting up operation of its site in
Ningbo, China. The synthesis production
facility there, which commenced operation
in the first quarter of 2016, is designed for
an annual capacity of 25,000 metric tons
of red pigment. By taking these measures,
LANXESS will be increasing its global
production capacities from 375,000 to
400,000 metric tons of iron oxide pig-
ments by 2019.
“The purpose of these investments is
to support the growth of our customers,”
said Jörg Hellwig, head of the Inorganic
Pigments business unit (IPG). As the
world market leader in iron oxide pig-
ments and a leading supplier of chrome
oxide pigments, LANXESS continuously
evaluates the development of the global
pigment market. The company expects
global demand for iron oxide pigments
to grow by an average of three percent
per year beyond 2018. Demand for iron
oxide pigments will rise significantly
due to strong growth in countries like
India and the continued recovery of the
building industry in North America and
parts of Europe. China will also
contribute to this development
with growth rates remaining at
a high level.
Although China is by far the larg-
est producer of synthetic iron oxides,
with over 50 percent of total global
supply, the number of production loca-
tions for synthetic iron oxide pigments
has been decreasing steadily for several
years. This is a result of the consistent
implementation of environmental regu-
lations by both pigment manufacturers
and the pigment processing industry.
The number of production locations has
dropped by half since 2008, resulting in
a reduction in supply, particularly in the
segment for red pigments. According to
LANXESS, this consolidation process is
likely to continue.
Uniform global production standards
are an integral part of LANXESS’s image. Its production processes have always
been designed to be safe, to conserve resources and to preserve the environment,
