(Lanxess) -- LANXESS is investing EUR 12 million to convert 50 percent of its ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) synthetic rubber production in Geleen, the Netherlands, to innovative Keltan ACE technology. During 2013, the German specialty chemicals company will implement the new technology at the largest of its three production lines, which accounts for half of the total production capacity of 160,000 metric tons per year in Geleen.
Compared with conventional production processes, Keltan ACE technology reduces energy requirements for rubber production and it does not require catalyst extraction as a result of high catalyst efficiency. Furthermore, the process enables the manufacture of new EPDM rubber grades.
In addition, LANXESS will set up a new headquarters in Geleen for its global EPDM Rubber business. The building for up to 120 employees will be constructed on the chemical industrial site Chemelot. The contracts with the Chemelot Campus Consortium were signed today. Construction will start in the spring of 2012, and inauguration is planned for the beginning of 2013.