Lanxess has announced that it will make two to two key management appointments in its chemicals group. Effective January 1, 2006, Dr. Michael Gauss will become head of the Functional Chemicals Business Unit, replacing Knut Balzer. And on February 1, Michael Kiefer will succeed Dr. Dieter Neuray as head of the Procurement Group Function.

Dr. Michael Gauss has been managing director and president of the European branch of DuPont Teijin Films in Luxembourg, a manufacturer of polyester films, since 2003. The PhD chemical engineer has held various managerial positions at DuPont and Hoechst since 1984. His predecessor Knut Balzer will assume new responsibilities in the Lanxess Group.

Michael Kiefer has been head of Procurement at BASF’s Coatings Division since 1999. The current had of Procurement, Dr. Dieter Neuray, will retire on January 1, 2006.