Lanxess

Earnings forecast for 2016 nudged upward / Focus on high performance plastics pays off

Range of hydrolysis stabilisers is extended / Ease in processing without preheating

Colorant microgranules to be demonstrated at “K 2016” / Improved performance allied with safety in handling

Phthalic anhydride capacity expansion in Germany

PA and PBT product portfolios extended / Processing times and energy consumption reduced

Headquarters opened in Maastricht / Management team is established

Leverkusen flame retardant storage facility is expanded

Strong performance in Q1 2016 / Full-year guidance lifted again / Focus on high performance plastics paying off

PA 6 introduced for thermal management of LEDs and electrical devices / Improved thermal conductivity, light reflection and flame retardance

Lanxess and Saudi Aramco synthetic rubber jv officially launched

Business “successful in every respect” last year, CEO says / Less cyclical speciality chemicals firm by 2020 / Portfolio extension in High Performance Materials?

High flowability and chemical resistance from PA 6.6 with 60% glass fibre content / Opportunities for lightweight design and metal substitution

Rubber jv with Aramco wins all approvals / New company called Arlanxeo starts on 1 April

Chinese compounder building production unit in Germany / First plant in Europe to be located in Wiesbaden

Planning “significant investments” in UK subsidiary / Albis (UK) celebrates 50th anniversary

PBT/PA compounding capacity expansion in US brought on stream / Output doubled / Meeting rising demand from the automotive industry

Despite overcapacities, plans to lift output in Asia / Global consumption stands at 4m t/y / Decline in optical data storage devices pressures sector / Market unsettled by BPA controversy / Opportunities for lighting technology and automotive applications

Fire at Bosman logistics provider / Plastic resin storage facility at Dutch chemical park in Geleen destroyed

Full-year 2015 guidance raised again after strong Q3 / Realignment ahead of schedule / Decline in Performance Polymers Segment

High-heat stabilised PA grades developed / No corrosion from metal-free additive system / Focus on E&E sectors

Half of rubber carve-out to be sold to Aramco / Joint Venture set to start in Q1 2016 / First back integration for German producer / Farther-reaching Middle East projects envisaged

Exit from blue-chip stock index / Rubber woes put downward pressure on share price

Bayer unveils new management team / Patrick Thomas will continue to lead the company

Solid growth on a global basis / Worldwide capacities of 10m t/y / Asia dominates production and consumption / Restructuring in Europe makes an impact / Market players still face challenges

Earnings guidance for 2015 revised upward / Strong growth for Performance Polymers EBITDA in Q2 / Rubber units to be carved out / Talks with potential partners continue