Lanxess opens rubber research unit in Qingdao

ERJ staff report (DS)

Qingdao, China -- Lanxess AG has opened a Rubber Research Center (RRCQ) in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Established in close cooperation with Qingdao's University of Science and Technology (QUST), the world-class research centre is located within the university's vicinity. It is jointly operated by the Lanxess business units Technical Rubber Products, Butyl Rubber and Performance Butadiene Rubbers, and marks an investment of some Euro 10 million.

“The RRCQ will cover complete functions, ranging from fundamental research involving the development of new products and techniques, to technical customer support and preparing the commercialization of future inventions,” explained Juergen Gunther, Head of the Business Line specialties from Lanxess technical rubber products business unit and project manager responsible for the RRCQ.

“With the opening the RRCQ today, we now expand our R&D network in this important market,” said Guenther Weymans, Head of technical rubber products business unit. “Through our research network, Lanxess is strategically building up key competencies for sustainable success in China. It enables us to train skilled and loyal staff with high technical expertise to develop high quality products, which are environment-compatible and appropriate for the Chinese market.”

Lanxess said The Asia/Pacific Region now accounts for some 40 percent of the global rubber market. Lanxess also anticipates high growth rates for this region in the future, attributable mainly to the Chinese rubber market. According to Lanxess estimates, it will grow by around ten percent a year up to 2013.

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Press release from Lanxess