Lanxess AG (Cologne, Germany; www.lanxess.com) has expanded its capacities for light-colored sulfur carriers at its sites in Mannheim, Germany, and Kallo, near Antwerp, Belgium. For the Rhein Chemie Additives (ADD) business unit, this step strengthens its already strong position in the market segment for highly specialized industrial lubricant additives. Light-colored sulfur carriers are used as additives in formulating high-performance metalworking fluids and gear oils that ensure good lubrication between metal surfaces at very high pressures.
“Our high capacities for light-colored sulfur carriers make us one of the top three global suppliers. And we want to move to the front of the field in the future,” says Martin Säwe, head of the Lubricant Additives business line within Lanxess’ ADD business unit. “We have now expanded the capacity of our production plant for light-colored sulfur carriers at our Mannheim site by about 20%,” Säwe explains. The investment was completed in late 2015 and totaled EUR 1.5 million. Production capacity in Kallo was increased by a comparable amount by means of process optimization. The plant in Mannheim was intentionally designed for future expansion. “This means we are prepared for any necessary increases,” says Säwe.