- A mid-single-digit million euro investment is being made to expand Mesamoll production by 40%.
- The additional capacity will be available by the end of 2010.
- Mesamoll products are alkanesulfonic acid esters with good resistance to saponification and compatibility with various polymers.
- Mesamoll II is expected to receive European food contact approval in fall 2010.
Investment and Expansion
LANXESS is investing a mid-single-digit million euro amount to expand the production capacity of its Mesamoll range by 40% at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site. This expansion involves upgrading existing facilities with new state-of-the-art heat exchangers and reactors. The additional capacity is expected to be available by the end of 2010.
Product Growth and Market Trends
Sales of Mesamoll, a phthalate-free plasticizer, are growing at an annual rate of around 15%, outpacing the overall plasticizer market. Mesamoll has seen above-average growth since 2005, driven by its use as an alternative to phthalate-based plasticizers.
Chemical Properties and Applications
Mesamoll products are alkanesulfonic acid esters known for their resistance to saponification, excellent solvating and migration properties, and compatibility with polymers like PVC, rubber, and polyurethane. Mesamoll II has been classified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as safe for food contact applications, with European approval expected in fall 2010. This will make Mesamoll II one of the few plasticizers approved for food contact in both the US and EU.
Additional Products
LANXESS also offers other phthalate-free additives, including Mesamoll TP LXS 51067, a fast-solvating plasticizer for PVC processing, and bonding agent TP LXS 51099, used in manufacturing PVC advertising boards, dinghies, and bouncy castles. These products address the market demand for phthalate-free alternatives.
Business Unit Performance
The Functional Chemicals business unit, part of the Performance Chemicals segment, achieved total sales of EUR 1,530 million in fiscal 2009.
