- Production capacity in Dormagen will increase to 70,000 tons per year by Q1 2019.
- The expansion project involves an upper single-digit million euro investment.
- Demand for chloroprene rubbers is growing by about 4% per year, especially in Asia.
- The expansion includes new reactors and process optimization starting Q2 2018.
Expansion of Production Capacity
ARLANXEO is set to expand its chloroprene rubber (CR) production capacity at its Dormagen, Germany site. The production capacity will increase to 70,000 tons per year, available to the market by the first quarter of 2019. This expansion involves an investment in the upper single-digit million euro range.
Rising Global Demand
According to Stefan Rittmann, head of the ARLANXEO business line that produces CR and Managing Director of ARLANXEO Deutschland GmbH, global demand for chloroprene rubbers is expected to continue growing at about four percent per year. This growth is particularly strong in Asia, especially in Greater China. Products with special properties are in high demand worldwide.
Project Timeline and Upgrades
The capacity expansion will commence in the second quarter of 2018. As part of this project, a production line will be renewed and equipped with new reactors that have higher capacity. This upgrade will allow ARLANXEO to optimize its existing processes and enhance production flexibility.
