Lanxess moves into water filtration membranes

Speciality chemicals manufacturer Lanxess AG on 21 January 2010 launched construction of a new plant to develop and produce membrane filtration technology at its site in Bitterfeld, Germany.

This marks the group’s move into a new segment of the water treatment business.

The company is investing a total of around € 30 million in this project. The new plant is scheduled to start a pilot and development phase towards the end of this year. The first products should be marketed in 2011.

“Usable water supplies are dwindling worldwide, thus becoming an increasingly valuable resource. Thanks to Lanxess’ pioneering investment in Bitterfeld, we are now able to offer additional products for water treatment and thus further strengthen our strong market position,” explained Axel C Heitmann, chairman. “Our high-tech products, such as the powerful Lewatit ion-exchange resins, are already helping to ease global water problems today.”

The Lanxess site in Bitterfeld is already equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a first-rate infrastructure. “It was these excellent conditions and the planned partnerships with universities and colleges in the local area that gave Bitterfeld the edge over other sites, such as the ones in Spain and Singapore,” added Heitmann.

The construction of the new plant goes hand in hand with an extensive research and development program that Lanxess is setting up at the site and in the local region.