ERJ staff report (RPN)
Leverkusen, Germany – Lanxess A.G. has completed the conversion of its Keltan-branded EPDM synthetic rubber at its site in Sittard-Geleen, Netherlands, to its proprietary ACE technology, reports Chris Sweeney of Rubber & Plastics News.
Torsten Derr, head of Lanxess' business unit, said the project was completed on time and within its budget. The German company invested about €12m to convert the line from the conventional Ziegler-Natta chemistry to the ACE-process, which utilises stronger active catalysts than the conventional method.
The company said the conversion will allow Lanxess to deliver a broad range of proven, high-quality EPM and EPDM grades. The process also consumes less energy and produces no catalyst waste. Lanxess' current line of EPDM rubbers comprises seven ACE grades.
Derr also said the supplier's Changzhou, China, plant starting up in 2015 will work with ACE technology. That facility will have a rated capacity of 160 000 metric tonnes per year and represents an investment of about €235m.
