(openPR) - Mumbai - Production capacity of Material Protection Products business unit to more than double with plant modernization

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS India is expanding its plant in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, in order to more than double the monthly production capacity of its material protection products. Further, to enhance the quality standards of the manufacturing processes, LANXESS will upgrade the plant by equipping it with state-of-the-art and world-class facilities.

“The expansion and modernization of the Madurai plant underscores our strong belief in the growth opportunities of the Indian market. At the same time, it demonstrates LANXESS’ long-term commitment to India and our determination to strengthen our competitive advantage. The products from this plant will enable us to provide more benefits to our customers in the surface coating and paint industries,” says Dr. Joerg Strassburger, Managing Director and Country Representative, LANXESS India Private Limited.

Dr. Michael Gerle, Asia Pacific Regional Manager for Industrial Preservation, Material Protection Products business unit, says, “We at LANXESS are continually working towards enhancing our manufacturing capability to respond to customers' needs. We are fully committed to being a reliable global supplier and technology leader. The expanded plant will help meet the increasing demand for material protection products in the Asia Pacific region. LANXESS now has a strong platform for future growth in India and in the region.”

The expansion of the Madurai plant is part of the global strategy of LANXESS to solidify its presence in India. Further, the larger, modernized plant strengthens the overall infrastructure of the Material Protection Products business unit, for providing value-added and seamless solutions to customers in Asia Pacific.

About Madurai Site
The Madurai site serves as an important manufacturing hub for LANXESS’s Leather business unit, the Rhein Chemie business unit (for the production of specialty rubber) and the Material Protection Products business unit. Here, LANXESS’ plants and operations conform to high standards of quality, environmental protection and safety. They are committed to responsible care and sustainable development. They are also certified to globally accepted quality standards of ISO 9001-2000 (Quality Management System) and ISO 14001-2004 (Environmental Management System).

The Material Protection Products business unit markets a wide range of preservatives and biocides for almost all industry sectors, including wood protection, paints and coatings, construction, health and personal care products, and beverages. It belongs to LANXESS’ Performance Chemicals segment, which achieved sales of EUR 1.93 billion in 2008.

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.58 billion in 2008 and currently around 14,600 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 44 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. More information at www.lanxessgoesasia.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

LANXESS Pte Ltd
9 Benoi Sector, Singapore 629844
Direct   (65) 6725 5821
Fax      (65) 6264 5329
Email   maggie.tan@lanxess.com
Web: www.lanxessgoesasia.com/