Lanxess restructures Rhein Chemie business

Cologne, Germany – Lanxess has restructured following the acquisition of Chemtura, affecting the rubber additives business and colorant additives business units.

The two business lines now both belong to the Rhein Chemie business unit.

The goal is to adopt a more targeted approach with a stronger customer focus, according to a company statement. The unit will cover specialty business with active ingredient compounds, specialty chemicals and processing aids for the rubber, plastics and colorants industries.

"The two business lines have similar requirements and the realignment caters to our specialised business, which sometimes involves small volumes," said Philipp Junge, head of the Rhein Chemie business unit.

The new head of colorant additives business is Dominik Risse, who is returning to the operational side of the business from the mergers & acquisitions group function. He previously was responsible for Lanxess' colorants business in his role as head of marketing.

The name Rhein Chemie will remain the umbrella brand for the rubber and colorants business. The lubricants and flame retardant additives business has been transferred to Lanxess additives business unit. Together, the two business units form the speciality additives segment in the company's extended organisational structure.

The Rhein Chemie business unit currently has about 1,000 employees and supplies more than 2,000 products to more than 3,000 customers in 120 countries. It is split into two business lines.

Rubber additives supplies pre-dispersed chemicals, processing promoters, vulcanisation and filler activators, anti-sun check waxes, release agents, tire marking inks and high performance bladders.

Colorant additives supplies colorants and manufactures organic colorants.