The material protection products business unit of the chemicals group LANXESS plans in future to control its worldwide business activities from Leverkusen and is realigning its organisational structure accordingly. In doing so, the management is responding to a worldwide process of consolidation in the industry, a process that is marked by increasing competitive pressure.

The business unit will be in future divided into three independent segments, each of which will be closely aligned to the markets concerned. This will increase flexibility and make synergies possible, at the same time streamlining and simplifying work routines. It is planned to move 50 jobs from Krefeld-Uerdingen to Leverkusen.

I am convinced that the rigorous implementation of our plans will increase the competitive edge of the Material Protection business unit,” said Peter Weinmar, business unit head.

The material protection products business unit is part of the performance chemicals segment, which posted total sales of EUR 1.91 billion in 2004. The business unit is a supplier of industrial biocides and material protection products.