Rubber Journal Asia

Lanxess strengthens its rubber business

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Lanxess will acquire Flexsys's primary accelerator business as well as the anti-reversion agent Perkalink 900. However, employees will not be transferred. Both parties have decided not to disclose the acquisition prices. The acquisition of the primary accelerator business requires approval from the relevant anti-trust authorities.

The German company says it will take over selected parts of Flexsys's primary accelerators business and integrate it with its existing production facilities in Belgium and the US. Lanxess also supplies primary accelerators under the Vulkacit brand and has invested EUR10 million over the last two years to upgrade its Belgian plant.

As for Flexsys's anti-reversion agent Perkalink 900, it avoids the risk of reversion during the vulcanisation process and thus improves the service life of tyres and technical rubber products. It also complements Lanxess's existing speciality portfolio, which includes products such as the anti-reversion agent Vulcuren.

Meanwhile, the EVM expansion is expected to cater to the rising demand in the wire and cable industry. Here, Lanxess offers EVM under two brands: Levapren and Levamelt. Higher use of Levapren is expected in components of new polymer classes for automotive applications such as HIPEX, a new crosslinked thermoplastic elastomer (TPE-V) developed in cooperation with Germany-based Kraiburg.

The company also sees further growth potential for its EVM stemming from the adhesives area, especially in the production of transparent, adhesive films.