Lanxess AG (Cologne, Germany; www.lanxess.com) inaugurated its new high-tech plastics plant in Porto Feliz, Brazil. The specialty chemicals company has invested around EUR 20 million in the facility, which will initially have a capacity of 20,000 metric tons per year (m.t./yr). Up to 50 jobs will be created. With the new facility, Lanxess is able to meet the local demand for high-tech plastics used in the automotive sector more quickly and more efficiently.
In the new compounding plant, the basic polymers polyamide (PA) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) are mixed and refined with special additives and glass fiber, according to client requirements, to make the high-tech plastic product lines Durethan and Pocan. These materials are used for the manufacturing of much lighter parts, which can replace metal components in vehicles. With these materials, the automotive industry as well as suppliers can cut production costs significantly, increase freedom of design and improve safety. Due to their excellent properties, both plastics have a wide variety of applications, such as door handles, bumpers, front ends, cable connectors, cooling pipes, among others.