LANXESS Postponed Investment Projects      

Specialty chemicals group LANXESS AG responds to the global economic crisis by taking further measures. The company has decided to put off some investment projects given the decline in demand for chemical products throughout the world.
   Affected by the decision is the construction of the butyl rubber plant (BR) in Singapore. According to the revised plans, the new butyl rubber facility is expected to commence operations in 2012, with groundbreaking - previously scheduled for January 2009 - postponed until the fall. Additionally, plans for capacity expansions in Leverkusen and Antwerp and the planned move of the group headquarters from Leverkusen to Cologne will also be postponed.
   LANXESS expects demand to be very weak in the first quarter of 2009 and is preparing for a difficult year on the whole.