LEVERKUSEN, Germany – German specialty chemicals company LANXESS has completed another step in its technical improvement drive and expansion for yellow iron oxide pigments production in Jinshan, Shanghai, China. The plant can now run at a full capacity of 28,000 metric tons. LANXESS’ Jinshan site is the largest production for yellow iron oxide pigments in Asia.

The combination of various individual measures has led to a significant increase in the production efficiency of the existing plant. For example, steam generation has been consolidated in one boiler house operation with a state-of-the-art off-gas cleaning system.

LANXESS plans to optimize the environmental protection facilities of the site, such as upgrading the sewerage system. The water supply and the fire-fighting system will also be improved through a shift to over-ground piping, enabling greater availability and allowing better monitoring. This phase is scheduled for completion in 2011.

The Jinshan facility of the Inorganic Pigments business unit opened in 2007 and is a good example of environmentally friendly pigment production. Thanks to the site’s own state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant, upstream of the external treatment facility of the industrial park, the site meets LANXESS globally binding standards, which in some cases go beyond the legal stipulations. In 2009, LANXESS reduced emissions by more than 15 percent by applying innovative technologies in energy utilization and water management.