Lanxess strengthens phthalate-free plasticiser portfolio

The Greensboro site has a capacity of more than 50,000 t/y dedicated to mainly producing phthalate-free plasticisers and other speciality products, including flame retardants. Through this acquisition, Lanxess gains access to Unitex’s flexible manufacturing facility coupled with its portfolio of phthalate-free plasticisers, including benzoates, citrates and trimellitates. The transaction strengthens Lanxess’ brands of phthalate-free plasticisers, including Mesamoll, Unimoll, Adimoll and Ultramoll. Financial details were not disclosed.

Furthermore, Lanxess and BioAmber in Minneapolis, MN, USA, have partnered to jointly develop a portfolio of succinic acid-based plasticisers that are both renewable and phthalate-free and can exceed the performance of phthalates at competitive prices. BioAmber produces bio-based succinic acid in a 3,000 t capacity plant in France and expects to bring on an additional 17,000 t of succinic acid capacity in 2013 at a new facility in Sarnia, Canada, located on a site within Lanxess’ Bio-industrial Park. Samples of the new plasticisers are now available and the companies expect to begin commercialisation in 2012.