German specialty chemicals producer Lanxess has expanded its lubricant additives capacities in Germany and Belgium in response to growing global demand. Lanxess’ Rhein Chemie Additives business spent €1.5 million to increase production of light-coloured sulfur carriers by about 20% in Mannheim, Germany. The project was completed late last year. Lanxess said the plant had been designed intentionally for future expansion.

Capacity in Kallo, near Antwerp in Belgium, was lifted by a similar amount through process optimization. Light coloured sulfur carriers are used in formulating high-performance metalworking fluids and gear oils to ensure good lubrication between metal surfaces at very high pressures.

Martin Säwe, head of the lubricant additives business within Rhein Chemie Additives, said the company was one of the top three suppliers worldwide and it wanted to move to the front of the field in the future.