Chloroprene rubber production to expand at German plant

Lanxess has invested more than €15m in the production of chloroprene rubber (CR) at its Dormagen site, in Germany. The company said that the project was due to be completed at the end of the year, but did not offer any figures on the expected capacity.

As well as technical rubber goods, such as hoses, cables and transport belts, chloroprene is also used in adhesive raw materials and latex applications. Ingo Fischer, head of global product management for CR at Lanxess’s Technical Rubber Products business unit, said: “…we are in close contact with the authorities to prepare for additional expansion.” The company believes it has a “high” chance of obtaining the necessary permit.

The investment has been prompted by what the company says is “the changing global market environment”. The Performance Rubber segment of the company, which includes the Technical Rubber Products unit, achieved total sales of €1.678bn in 2005.