LANXESS completes acquisition of IFF’s microbial control business

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has completed the acquisition of the microbial control business unit of the U.S. group International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF).

With the closing of the transaction which was announced in August 2021, LANXESS has become one of the world’s largest suppliers of microbial control products. The specialty chemicals company is significantly increasing its portfolio of antimicrobial active ingredients and formulations for material protection, preservatives and disinfectants and is strengthening its global presence, especially in the United States. LANXESS paid a preliminary purchase price of approximately USD 1.3 billion for the acquisition.

“With this acquisition we receive another major boost for our Consumer Protection segment. It will soon become our strongest segment and is thus an important engine on the way to make LANXESS even more stable and profitable,” said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. “We are pleased to have more than 250 highly qualified new employees and are now focusing all our efforts on rapidly integrating the newly acquired business.”

With the closing of the transaction, LANXESS adds two production sites to its network in St. Charles, Louisiana, and Institute, West Virginia, both in the United States. The new business will be integrated into the Material Protection Products business unit of LANXESS.

Perfect addition to the material protection business

“By combining LANXESS’ and the acquired businesses, we are now building a strong and broad product and technology platform for microbial control and biocides, from active ingredients to powerful formulations. This enables us to offer our customers additional application-oriented solutions and to strengthen our value chain,” said Michael Schaefer, head of the Material Protection Products business unit. “The microbial control business also gives us access to new technologies and enhances our regulatory position through additional registrations.”

Strong and well-diversified new portfolio

The acquisition brings strategic biocidal active substances, a large registration package and strong brands which are a perfect fit for the LANXESS microbial control portfolio.

LANXESS is also strengthening its position as a global leader in the field of industrial preservation and one of the largest suppliers for isothiazolinone-based preservatives. LANXESS’ Preventol products combined with newly acquired Kathon, Bioban and Rocima brands form one of the broadest portfolios for paints and coatings, construction materials, wood preservation, leather and plastics for both wet- and dry-state preservation.

LANXESS further adds silver-based technology to the portfolio and offers now a complete solution for the antimicrobial treatment of textiles. The silver ion-based products known under the Silvadur brand prevent or reduce odors in natural or synthetic fibers.

LANXESS also benefits from the addition of Phenoxyethanol to its already large personal care and household preservative portfolio. Phenoxyethanol is an additional pillar for the company’s customer preservation strategy in addition to isothiazolinones and sodium benzoate allowing to offer customized solutions to customers and enable them to adapt their preservation to the growing regulatory challenges.