The move is in response to a strong global demand for menthols and is part of a €40m investment at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site which will also see the company build a production plant for the formalin needed to make trimethylolpropane, which is used in the construction and automotive industries.
Lanxess board of management member, Werner Breuers, stated his belief that the construction and expansion plans were a positive development for the company and the German site.
“Lanxess has strong roots in North Rhine-Westphalia and this will remain the case. The investments we are making here, at our second largest site worldwide, will play a key role in enabling us to continue producing competitive premium products for all the world markets,” he said.
Collaboration with Symrise
Synthetic menthol from Lanxess, is produced in collaboration with fragrance and flavour supplier Symrise, and is used in oral care applications as well in numerous cosmetics products in its high grade forms.
Symrise and Lanxess have been working together for almost four decades, and the entire manufacturing process will be coordinated between the two.
In addition, Symrise has recently begun construction on its own menthol facility in Holzminden, due to open in 2012.
“As a result [of global demand for menthol recording double-digit growth], we want to work with our long-term partner Lanxess and increase our capacity to produce synthetic menthol while strengthening our international market leadership in this strategic growth market,” said Symrise CEO, Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, said last November.
Project completion expected in 2012
Initial planning work on the expansion of the hydrogenation facility in Krefeld-Uerdingen is already under way and the project is due to be completed during the first half of 2012.
Krefeld’s mayor Gregor Kathstede views the investments as a further clear commitment to the city.
“I am delighted about the investments in Uerdingen and would like to thank Lanxess for its flexible, reliable and sustainable site policy and corporate strategy. This is another positive signal for the economy, the job market and, in particular, for Krefeld as a business location,” he said.