LANXESS has put a new special composites production line into production at its production site in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany
German specialty chemicals manufacturer LANXESS has put into production a new thermoplastic special composites production line at its Krefeld-Uerdingen production site in Germany.
LANXESS has invested nearly 7 million euros in the development of the new production line and is expected to increase the plant's annual capacity of high-performance composites by 10,000 tons per year.
The new production line complements the existing composite material production line at the Krefeld-Uerdingen plant and produces exclusively Durethan polyamide composites and PBT compounds under the Ponce brand.
Dr. Michael Zobel, head of LANXESS Performance Materials Business Unit, said: 'Through this investment, we have responded specifically to the development of new modes of transportation such as electric vehicles, and also responded to trends in the electrical and electronics industries such as Industry 4.0. It has promoted Demand for thermoplastic composites continues to grow. '
The production line includes a twin-screw extruder and equipment designed for raw material feeding, dosing, cooling and sorting applications.
Dr. Stefanie Nickel, head of composites at LANXESS Performance Materials, said: 'The extruder provides all the equipment needed for economical production of high quality compounds.'
'For example, this production line is very suitable for the production of the company's glass fiber reinforced polyamide, which is applied to the lightweight design of automotive structures.'
'We also see great potential for flame-retardant composites, such as can be applied to electric drive components.'
LANXESS pointed out that the new production line is also suitable for the production of high mineral content composite materials, it is often used in thermal housing components.
At present, LANXESS's composite material production lines include Wuxi, China, Jihagadia, India, Gastonia, USA, and Felicia, Brazil.
The company also plans to open another composite production plant with an annual capacity of 25,000 tons in Changzhou, China next year.