LANXESS expands capacity of microbial active ingredient Preventol CMK by 50 percent

•	Investment in the mid-single-digit million euro range at the Krefeld-Uerdingen site
•	Additional capacity available in the first quarter of 2022
•	Long-term trend towards more disinfection 
•	Increased demand also in industrial preservation

Krefeld-Uerdingen, January 26, 2022 – LANXESS is expanding its production capacity for the active ingredient Preventol CMK (chlorocresol) at the Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany, site by around 50 percent in response to the continuing strong demand for disinfectants and industrial preservation. The specialty chemicals company has invested a single-digit million euro amount for the expansion, which will be completed still in the first quarter of 2022. 

LANXESS markets Preventol CMK as a registered active ingredient for disinfection and preservation and also uses it in its own formulations marketed under the known Preventol and Virkon brands. A rapidly growing area of application is disinfectants in the animal and human sectors. Demand for these products has risen significantly in recent years due to the African swine fever, the avian influenza and the Corona pandemic, among other things. 

“With the additional capacities, we remain a reliable partner for our customers and can continue to meet the increased demand for Preventol CMK in the disinfection industry,” said Matthias Arnold, head of the Actives & Disinfection business line at LANXESS’ Material Protection Products business unit. “For disinfectants, we expect sustained high demand even after the Corona pandemic due to an increased hygiene awareness.”

In agricultural businesses, disinfectants based on Preventol CMK help contain the spread of diseases and contribute to the reduction of antibiotics in animal husbandry. The topic of biosecurity is also gaining in importance worldwide due to increasing population and meat consumption, leading to a sustained increase in demand for disinfectants. In the field of human health, disinfectants based on Preventol CMK can be used in hospitals, for example, but also in the household application segment.

LANXESS is the world’s largest producer of chlorocresol and provides regulatory support for the active ingredient in all major biocide markets, such as in Europe under the Biocidal Products Regulation BPR or in the USA with the Environmental Protection Agency EPA.

Increasing requirements in industrial preservation

LANXESS also expects strong market growth in the field of industrial preservation. The CMK-based Preventol products from LANXESS have a very broad and balanced spectrum of activity against molds, bacteria and yeasts - even in highly microbiologically contaminated media. This makes them interesting for numerous applications - especially in leather preservation and construction.

“Our Preventol CMK-based products meet the stringent regulatory requirements worldwide. The expansion will enable us to satisfy the strong demand for these products also in the future,” said Oliver Kretschik, head of the Biocides business line at the Material Protection Products business unit.

In the construction industry, CMK-based Preventol products can replace products containing formaldehyde. In the leather industry, they meet both high technical requirements and rising industry standards in terms of sustainability and toxicity. 

The LANXESS material protection business 

LANXESS’ Material Protection Products business unit develops and markets antimicrobial agents, preservatives and disinfectants. The products are used worldwide in a wide range of applications, for example in the paints and coatings, disinfectants and wood preservation industries, as well as in the construction and beverage sectors. They protect materials from spoilage by microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, fungi, viruses and algae, extend the life of end products and maintain their functionality. In addition, Material Protection Products offers extensive technical service, regulatory support, and project-specific research and development.

For detailed information, please visit https://protectedbylanxess.com/.

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 6.1 billion in 2020. The company currently has about 14,900 employees in 33 countries. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives, specialty chemicals and plastics. LANXESS is listed in the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI World and Europe) and FTSE4Good.

Forward-Looking Statements
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