Lanxess expanding US production to add rubber promoters

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Lanxess AG is expanding its rubber additives production capacity in the US to meet increasing demand and improve supply reliability in the country.

The German chemicals group is adding capacity for rubber processing promoters at its Bushy Park facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina with completion set for November, said Lanxess 5 Sept.

This marks the first time Lanxess will produce processing promoters in the US, said the company without providing details about capacity.

Currently manufactured in Germany and China, the process additives were previously imported for US customers in key sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and industrial rubber products.

Lanxess said it will be producing its “most popular processing promoters” – Aflux 37, Aflux 42, Aktiplast PP as well as Aktiplast 44, all of which are specially designed for various types of rubber compounds.

"With this expansion, we’re helping our US customers reduce transportation costs, improve delivery time and reliability, as well as enhance operational flexibility," said Roy Varghese, head of the Lanxess Rhein Chemie business unit for the Americas region.

The move, he said, is aligned with Lanxess strategy to support the US market as “a key part of our strategy to build a resilient, customer-focused supply chain and ensure long-term growth in North America."

According to Lanxess, processing promoters play “a vital role” in rubber manufacturing by improving mixing, processing, moulding, and vulcanisation performance.

They chemicals help manufacturers achieve higher efficiency, consistency, and product quality.

The Bushy Park facility serves as the US manufacturing hub for the Rhein Chemie business unit, producing a variety of rubber additives including accelerators and peptisers.