- EUR 15 million investment will increase annual capacity by 10%.
- EUR 35 million project expanded caprolactam production by 10%.
- Recent investments in high-tech plastics total EUR 90 million.
- Caprolactam and glass fibers are key intermediates for high-tech plastics.
Investment and Capacity Expansion
LANXESS is investing EUR 15 million in its glass fiber plant in Antwerp, increasing the annual capacity by 10% from the current 60,000 metric tons. This investment will replace both furnaces at the plant.
High-Tech Plastics Growth
The high-tech plastics business is a significant growth driver for LANXESS, with global demand expected to rise by approximately 7% per year through 2020. The company sees potential in the mobility, electric, and electronic markets.
Recent Investments
Earlier, a EUR 35 million project was completed to expand caprolactam production at the Antwerp site by 10%, increasing the capacity to 200,000 metric tons per year. Over the last 18 months, LANXESS has invested EUR 90 million in high-tech plastics, including new compounding facilities in the US and Asia.
Integrated Value Chain
More than half of the caprolactam and glass fibers produced are used internally, creating a well-integrated value chain. This integration is a key success factor for LANXESS's high-tech plastics business.
Production Sites and Products
The Semi-Crystalline Products (SCP) business unit, part of the Performance Polymers segment, employs around 1,500 people globally. Production sites are located in Belgium, Germany, and China. The automotive industry is the largest customer for SCP, which produces Durethan and Pocan, enabling lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles.
