LANXESS produces five millionth metric ton of caprolactam
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With the beginning of February 2011, the specialty chemicals group LANXESS has produced the five millionth metric ton of its plastics precursor caprolactam at its facility in Antwerp, Belgium. The world-scale facility in the port of Antwerp commenced production in 1967. An investment project totalling €35 million is underway to expand production there by ten percent from its current volume of 200,000 metric tons per year. LANXESS has about 1,400 employees at its site in Antwerp.
LANXESS
Caprolactam is required primarily for the production of the plastic polyamide 6 and used for the production of high-tech Durethan plastics.
Global demand for high-tech plastics continues to rise, particularly in the U.S.A., China and India. Experts expect the global use of high-tech plastics per automobile to increase by roughly seven percent per year through 2020.