Further black pigment capacity for Lanxess

Lanxess has expanded its capacity for black synthetic iron oxide pigments at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site in Germany by over 5,000 tonnes/year. This is the world’s largest plant for these pigments.

The investment was made, according to Holger Hüppeler, head of the Inorganic Pigments business unit, because of growing demand from the construction industry, which is increasingly using black pigments to colour concrete. The Bayferrox 330 and 340 grades are widely used in concrete paving stones and roof tiles, and in architecture.

Lanxess is also the only company in the world to make synthetic iron oxide pigments using the Laux process, in which steam from the heat generated during the reaction is used in the subsequent process steps. The pigments are independently certified for use in ultra-high-strength concretes and for their high recycled raw materials content.