LANXESS expands U.S. rubber additives production at Bushy Park, enabling local supply of processing promoters, boosting reliability, efficiency, and customer confidence.
LANXESS, a global specialty chemicals company, has announced a significant expansion of its production capabilities in the United States. The company is currently adding rubber processing promoters at its Bushy Park manufacturing site, located in Goose Creek, South Carolina. This development represents a strategic step aimed at strengthening the company’s supply chain in North America while addressing increasing market demand. According to the company, the new production lines are scheduled to become operational in November 2025.
This initiative is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first time LANXESS will produce these processing promoters domestically in the United States. Until now, these critical additives were produced exclusively in Germany and China and then imported to the U.S. market. By localizing production, LANXESS intends to reduce logistical complexities, minimize transportation costs, and ensure a more reliable and timely supply for its American customers. The expansion directly benefits industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and industrial rubber manufacturing, all of which rely heavily on advanced rubber additives to maintain product quality and efficiency.
Upon completion, the South Carolina facility will manufacture some of LANXESS’s most widely used products in this category. These include Aflux® 37, Aflux® 42, and Aktiplast® PP, as well as the newer development Aktiplast® 44. Each of these processing promoters is designed for specific rubber compounds, enhancing their performance during critical stages of production. Processing promoters are vital in improving the overall mixing process, optimizing molding and vulcanization, and ensuring consistency in the final product. Their use helps manufacturers achieve higher operational efficiency, better processing speed, and superior quality outcomes.
Roy Varghese, Head of the LANXESS Rhein Chemie business unit for the Americas, emphasized the customer-focused benefits of this investment. “With this expansion, we’re helping our U.S. customers reduce transportation costs, improve delivery time and reliability, as well as enhance operational flexibility,” he stated. He further highlighted that the move reflects LANXESS’s commitment to building a resilient supply chain in North America and aligns with its long-term growth strategy in the region.
The Bushy Park site already functions as the central U.S. manufacturing hub for the company’s Rhein Chemie business unit. It currently produces a variety of specialized rubber additives, including accelerators and peptizers. With the addition of processing promoters, the facility will further strengthen its position as a comprehensive supplier of advanced solutions to the American rubber industry.
This expansion not only supports LANXESS’s business objectives but also contributes to broader industry stability by providing localized production, reducing dependency on imports, and enhancing security of supply. For customers across critical sectors, it promises both improved reliability and greater confidence in accessing the materials necessary for innovation and growth.
