Lanxess starts restructuring of French nitrile rubber plant

By Liz White, ERJ staff

Leverkusen, Germany-Lanxess AG announced 14 Oct that it has commenced the restructuring planned for its French nitrile rubber plant at La Wantzenau, announced in August.

And the group added that its Technical Rubber Products business, "will achieve further savings through job reductions and process optimisation," although it gave no further details of any other plans.

From 2006, Lanxes aims to save Euro 11 million annually at the French site. I am delighted that the management has put a package of measures on the table that is acceptable to all sides,” said Lanxess ceo Dr Axel Heitmann, in the company statement on the measures.

Therefore, we can sustainably lower our annual cost base and at the same time safeguard as many jobs as possible at the La Wantzenau site,” Heitmann added.

The savings will be achieved through process optimisation and a solidarity pact that has been negotiated with all unions concerned, said Lanxess. This means 83 jobs will be lost instead of the 100 jobs initially envisaged, the group added.

The measures in France are part of the second phase of restructuring announced in August through which Lanxess will save Euro 60 million.

Lanxess' Technical Rubber Products Business Unit produces nitrile rubber at the French unit, currently employing around 400 staff. Before it can be implemented, the package is subject to a number of formalities under French law, Lanxess said.

On a global level, Lanxess added, the TRP business will achieve further savings through job reductions and process optimisation, but gave no details.

Pictured is Axel Heitmann, Lanxess ceo.