German specialty chemicals company LANXESS expanded and upgraded its Rhein Chemie production site in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, to meet rising demand for locally produced rubber additives.

The project includes a 50 percent capacity increase and technical upgrade of production lines of processing promoters and polymer bound rubber chemicals.

Production line V4, which manufactures processing promoters such as Aflux and Aktiplast. Production line V8, dedicated to polymer-bound rubber chemicals including Rhenogran and Rhenoslab.

"With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to serve customers in China with high-quality, locally produced solutions," said Michael Rockel, CEO of LANXESS Greater China. "The expansion is driven by strong market demand and aligns with our strategy of local production for the local market."

"The upgrade will enhance supply reliability and operational flexibility for our partners in China," said Zhang Lei, head of Sales APAC, Business Unit Rhein Chemie and general manager of Rhein Chemie (Qingdao) Ltd. "We are reinforcing our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and local value creation."

The Qingdao site, established in 1995, has played a pivotal role in the development of China's modern tire and rubber industries.

Over its 30-year history, the site has introduced specialty polymer-bound rubber chemicals, advanced processing promoters and release agents, earning recognition for innovation, safety, and sustainability.

In 2021, the site was honored as a key project of enterprise technology innovation in Qingdao for its environmentally friendly reclaiming solution for rubber scrap.

Processing promoters such as Aflux and Aktiplast are specialized additives that play a critical role in manufacturing of tire and technical rubber good. Their primary function is to improve the mixing, processing, molding, and vulcanization of rubber compounds.

By enhancing these processes, they help manufacturers achieve higher efficiency, greater consistency, and improved product quality. These additives are tailored for various types of rubber compounds and are essential for meeting the stringent requirements of industries such as automotive, and industrial rubber products.

The expansion of processing promoter production reflects LANXESS' commitment to supporting local markets with reliable, high-quality solutions and to building resilient, customer-focused supply chains.

Polymer-bound rubber chemicals, exemplified by products like Rhenogran and Rhenoslab, are a cornerstone of modern rubber processing technology.

These additives are pre-dispersed in polymer, which ensures uniform distribution within the rubber compound and simplifies handling during production.

The use of polymer-bound chemicals improves the safety, efficiency, and consistency of rubber manufacturing, while also enabling precise formulation adjustments to meet specific performance requirements.

At the Qingdao site, LANXESS was among the first to introduce these specialty chemicals to the Chinese market, significantly contributing to the development of the local tire and technical rubber goods industries.

The ongoing expansion and technical upgrades at the site underscore LANXESS' focus on delivering innovative, localized products that address the evolving needs of its customers.