Growing Demand for “Green Products” in China – Lanxess

At an international press conference held during the Chinaplas 2008 plastics fair in Shanghai (held between Apr. 17-20), chairman of the Lanxess Board of Management, Axel C. Heitmann, stated ”Sales of our “green” premium products in China have risen significantly in the past twelve months. We expect this trend to continue and to have a positive impact on our business in China.”

An analysis conducted by Lanxess indicates that growth of this “green business” could provide double the rate of overall market growth in China. ”Therefore we will focus increasingly on green chemistry products in our portfolio,” added Heitmann. Among the measures to be implemented will be an increase in development of new, innovative products and systems solutions.

The specialty chemicals company already has an extensive range of environmentally compatible products and systems solutions. For example, its Functional Chemicals business unit manufactures heavy-metal-free dyestuffs for plastic bottles. And with innovative solutions in automotive engineering, the Semi-Crystalline Products and Technical Rubber Products business units are helping to reduce the weight of automobile components, thus enabling the construction of gas-saving cars with lower CO2 emissions.

A newly developed special-purpose rubber based on nanotechnology reduces abrasion in tyres while lessening fine dust formation and increasing mileage. A special synthetic rubber grade developed by Lanxess that reduces rolling resistance in tires is similarly beneficial to the environment, the company reports. “If all 30 million Chinese cars were equipped with tyres with reduced rolling resistance, like the high-tech tyres that are available today, it would be possible to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in China by roughly two million metric tonnes per year,” said Heitmann.

With approximately 850 employees at five production sites, Lanxess achieved total sales in China of approximately US$635 million in 2007. The main growth drivers were the Business Units Polybutadiene Rubber, Semi-Crystalline Products and Rhein Chemie. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.