- Investing EUR 12 million, 50% of EPDM production in Geleen will convert to Keltan ACE technology in 2013.
- New headquarters for EPDM Rubber business in Geleen to be constructed in spring 2012, opening in early 2013.
- LANXESS acquired Royal DSM N.V.'s EPDM rubber business for EUR 310 million in May 2011.
- Bio-based EPDM rubber production from sugar cane-derived ethylene to start by year-end at Triunfo plant in Brazil.
Investment and Technology Upgrade
LANXESS is investing EUR 12 million to upgrade 50% of its ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) synthetic rubber production in Geleen, the Netherlands, to Keltan ACE technology. This new technology will be implemented in 2013 on the largest of its three production lines, which represents half of the total production capacity of 160,000 metric tons per year.
Energy Efficiency and New Rubber Grades
Keltan ACE technology reduces energy requirements and eliminates the need for catalyst extraction due to high catalyst efficiency. This process also enables the production of new EPDM rubber grades.
New Headquarters
LANXESS will establish a new headquarters for its global EPDM Rubber business in Geleen, accommodating up to 120 employees. The building will be located on the Chemelot industrial site, with construction starting in spring 2012 and inauguration planned for early 2013.
Acquisition and Integration
In May 2011, LANXESS acquired the EPDM rubber business of Royal DSM N.V. for EUR 310 million, including 420 employees worldwide, with 260 based in Sittard-Geleen. The integration process is progressing smoothly and positively impacting group earnings.
Bio-based EPDM Production
LANXESS plans to commercially produce EPDM from bio-based ethylene by the end of the year, marking the first bio-based EPDM rubber in the world. This will be branded as Keltan Eco. The bio-based ethylene, derived from Brazilian sugar cane, will be supplied by Braskem S.A. to LANXESS' EPDM plant in Triunfo, Brazil, which currently produces 40,000 metric tons per year of regular EPDM rubber.
