LANXESS commissions additive plant

As part of its strategy to focus on Asia, specialty chemicals group LANXESS AG started up a new plant in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China, for the production of lubricant oil additives. The production facility, operated by LANXESS’s subsidiary Rhein Chemie, represents an investment of some €5 million and will initially employ 20 people. Meanwhile, the company also launched a new biodiesel stabilizer, which it touts can be used without restriction to improve the stability of pure biodiesel and can also be used for addition to mineral diesel fuel. Baynox Plus, LANXESS said, can prevent oxidation and is capable of producing biodiesel qualities compliant with the European standard EN 14214. It is, the company added, very efficient in removing engine-damaging impurities such as glycerine, soap and salts. (April 6, 2009)