Under the name CheMondis, German specialty chemicals producer Lanxess has launched a new global online marketplace for chemical products. The start-up is an outgrowth of the company-wide digitalization initiative the company launched in 2017. “Developing new business models is an important element of the LANXESS digitalization initiative,” said CEO Matthias Zachert.

Run from the chemical producer’s headquarters in Cologne, CheMondis will have its own separate workforce branding and IT systems. Operationally, the business has been established as a standalone group function under the leadership of Jörg Hellwig as chief digital officer, with Sebastian Brenner as managing director.

As a wholly owned subsidiary of Lanxess, CheMondis is designed to function as a cross-manufacturer and cross-dealer B2B platform on which products can be bought and sold.  After an intensive trial phase with selected customers, around 500 products from various suppliers are currently on offer.

The new platform’s stated goals are to develop digital business models, introduce new technologies throughout the value chain, develop and utilize big data and foster digital expertise among employees.

According to Brenner, more than 200 companies have already registered for CheMondis, which is focused on the needs of the company’s customers, “Here,” he said, “we are combining profound knowledge from the chemicals industry, a startup spirit and a high level of technological expertise.”