The LANXESS Group is stepping up its activities to boost profitable growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The company further expands its presence in Asia with specific investments.

Milestones in 2009:

January -  LANXESS India Private Limited has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Gujarat state government. LANXESS will invest a total of EUR 50 million in the new site in Jhagadia, Gujarat, making it the largest and most modern production site for the company in India. The investment will create about 225 new jobs. The MOU is part of the approval process for the new site. more

February - LANXESS has signed a cooperation agreement with Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST) to join forces in R&D, product commercialization and staff training for the rubber industries. more

March - LANXESS has started up its new plant in Qingdao, China, for the manufacture of lubricant oil additives. The production facility, which is operated by LANXESS’s subsidiary Rhein Chemie, represents an investment of some EUR 5 million and will initially employ 20 people. more

May - LANXESS inaugurated the expansion of its High Performance Rubber R&D Center (RRCQ) in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. In doing so, the company is underlining its strategy of profitable growth in Asia through targeted investments in research and development. more

June - LANXESS India will acquire the chemical businesses and assets of stock market listed Indian company Gwalior Chemical Industries Ltd. for EUR 82.4 million, including debt. The transaction is subject to formal approval by Gwalior’s shareholders and clearance by the relevant antitrust authorities. Closing is expected at the end of the third quarter of 2009. more

June - LANXESS will also acquire the business and production assets of Chinese-based Jiangsu Polyols Chemical Co. Ltd. Closing of this transaction is expected in the third quarter of 2009. The medium-sized company, which was founded in 2006, is located in Liyang, west of Shanghai. more

September - LANXESS has successfully completed the acquisitions of the chemical businesses and production assets belonging to Indian company Gwalior Chemical Industries Ltd as well as China’s Jiangsu Polyols Chemical Co. Ltd. The transactions have received the necessary approvals from the anti-trust authorities and Gwalior shareholders. Both transactions have taken economic and legal effect at the start of September. more

September - Rhein Chemie opens a new production facility for industrial lubricant additives in Qingdao  more

November - LANXESS inaugurates a new production line for the leather chemical LEVOTAN® at its Wuxi site in China. The production line has an initial output of 1,800 metric tons per year.  more

December - LANXESS streamlines its global production network and sells its 55 percent stake in the hydrazine hydrate joint venture LANXESS Yaxing (Weifang) Chemicals Company Ltd. to its Chinese partner Weifang Yaxing Group. more