Leverkusen - The Rhein Chemie business unit of specialty chemicals group LANXESS AG supplies active ingredient preparations and specialty chemicals to many different industries. It is wholly owned by LANXESS, but is run as an independent enterprise.

Rhein Chemie is a very broad-based company. It is split into three divisions that develop, produce, and market customized additives and service products for the rubber, plastics, and lubricants industries. The company operates laboratories and production facilities in all global regions, which enables it to offer customers expert advice and reliable products from a local source.

For example, the Rubber division supplies rubber processors with polymer dispersions, processing promoters and vulcanization and filler activators. The polymer-bound rubber chemicals ensure uniform high quality standards, are extremely easy to meter and are cost-effective. The fact that they are dust-free also helps protect the environment and health.

The additives of the Lubricant Oil Additives division are used in industrial lubricants, metalworking fluids and high-performance greases. They help to reduce wear, protect against rust, enhance the high-pressure characteristics of metalworking fluids and protect lubricants against premature aging in high-performance applications. Additives from the Engineering Plastics division are used to protect polymers in humid environments from hydrolysis and the premature aging associated with this process. The company’s product portfolio also includes catalysts and activators for the manufacture of cast polyamides and modifiers that improve the impact resistance of polyamides. In addition, highly developed catalysts, crosslinking agents and stabilizers from Rhein Chemie are used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams.

Rhein Chemie’s service concepts and products are primarily used in the automotive sector. Other major customers include the paper, construction, and metalworking industries.

The RCH business unit is part of LANXESS’s Performance Chemicals segment, which recorded sales of EUR 1,930 million in fiscal 2008. It is headed by Anno Borkowsky.

Key brands

Aflux®, Aktiplast®, Antilux®, Batch-Ready®, Levaform®, Rhenoblend®, Rhenocure®, Rhenodiv®, Rhenofit®, Rhenogran®, Rhenopren®, Rhenosin®, Rhenoslab®, Urepan™: Additives for the rubber industry, for example, to facilitate compound production and processing by shortening mixing times, by stopping the rubber sticking to the mold, by protecting rubber items against the effects of ozone and the weather and by increasing low-temperature flexibility. The active ingredient in polymer-bound Rhenogran® additives is pre-dispersed, thereby optimizing dispersion in the raw rubber mixture. This helps to cut reject rates. Dust build-up is also reduced. The Batch-Ready® products are pre-weighed blends of chemicals with customized formulations, with customers benefiting from just-in-time delivery and being spared time-consuming tasks such as chemicals management.

Additin®: The comprehensive portfolio for the lubricants industry includes antioxidants, high-pressure, anti-wear and anti-corrosion additives, metal deactivators, customized applications for hydraulic, turbine and compressor oils, industrial gear oils and general-purpose oils.

Addocat®, Addolink®, Addovate®, Stabaxol®: Highly developed catalysts, crosslinkers and stabilizers for the polyurethane and plastics industry. Stabaxol® protects plastics from hydrolysis and thus extends their lifespan. Addolink® is used to crosslink chemicals in the production of polycarbonate.

Sites

Mannheim (Germany), Chardon (OH, United States), Madurai (India), Toyohashi (Japan), Qingdao (China) and Sao Paulo (Brazil).

Detailed information can be found at: www.rheinchemie.com