The expansion, which comes onstream early next year, will cost E12m

Lanxess is expanding the capacity for Durethan polyamide 6 at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site in Germany in a programme costing E12m. The enhanced unit is scheduled to come on stream in the early part of next year, providing the Bayer spin-off with one of the industry’s largest PA6 manufacturing facilities.

Lanxess says that it is planning to increase sales of its high tech Durethan and Pocan (PBT) polymers by 50% over the next five years. Applications lie in the electrical, electronics, household appliances and particularly the automotive sector. The company highlights the innovative hybrid technology in which steel and plastics are combined in one component, typically an automotive front end.