Lanxess to expand halobutyl production

Leverkusen, Germany--Lanxess is to expand production of halobutyl rubber at its two plants in Sarnia, Canada and Antwerp, Belgium. The combined expansion will come at a cost of euro 40 million and will increase Lanxess total capacity by 25 percent, said Dr Axel Heitmann, chief executive of Lanxess, speaking at the company's first ever press conference.

Heitmann said the company's total capacity for butyl is 200 000 tonnes per year, implying that the expansion will total 50 000 tonnes.

Lanxess is the second producer of halobutyl rubber in the world, after ExxonMobil Chemical.