German chemical group Lanxess’ Semi-Crystalline Products Business Unit has opened its first production site in Asia, located some 120 kilometres northwest of Shanghai. The compounding plant for the engineering plastics Durethan (polyamide) and Pocan (polyester) started production on April 27 at the site of Lanxess Wuxi Chemicals Ltd., and annual production of around 20,000 tons of plastic is envisaged in the first phase. The total investment is in the region of €20 million.

The company intends to add a further line at the plant and double its capacity in the near future.