Lanxess starts operation of polyamide plastics plant in Antwerp, Belgium

The Lanxess plant in Antwerp, Belgium.

ANTWERP, BELGIUM/COLOGNE, GERMANY: Specialty chemicals company, Lanxess has taken its new plant for polyamide plastics in Antwerp, Belgium, into operation as planned. The world-scale facility for polyamide plastics is designed for an annual capacity of around 90,000 metric tonne. It represents an investment volume of €75 million. The main customer of lightweight plastics is the automotive industry. Following the current starting-up phase, the capacity utilization rate of the plant will be gradually increased in the coming months.

All plastics manufactured by Lanxess at Antwerp will be processed within its global network of compounding facilities into the final Durethan-brand products. In addition, the new plant for the polymerization of high-tech plastics has been built in the direct vicinity of the caprolactam facility operated by the Group in Antwerp. Caprolactam is the key intermediate for plastics manufacturing. With the inauguration of the polyamide plant, Lanxess will be able to increase its captive use of caprolactam.

After the polymerization the plastics are reinforced among others with glass fibers to further improve their properties and adapt them to customer needs. The glass fibers required for this purpose are also produced at a Lanxess facility in Antwerp.

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