Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is celebrating 100 years of iron oxide pigment production at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site, a milestone that underscores the company's longstanding dominance in a market it continues to lead globally.

 

Since production began in 1926, the site has manufactured more than 15 million tons of iron oxide pigments. That volume is enough to produce more than 200 billion liters of paint—sufficient to cover an area the size of Germany five times. 

 

Today, with an annual production capacity of approximately 300,000 tons, LANXESS remains the world's leading producer of synthetic iron oxide pigments under its flagship Bayferrox brand.

 

The pigments have become a ubiquitous part of modern infrastructure, valued for their durability and color performance in paving stones, roof tiles, coatings, and plastics. Their footprint can be seen in landmark projects worldwide, from the red asphalt outside Buckingham Palace in London to the facade of Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium.

 

“People encounter our pigments every day—on streets, roofs, and facades,” says Michael Ertl, head of the Inorganic Pigments business unit at LANXESS, at the anniversary event. “Thanks to the pioneering spirit of our employees in Krefeld, our pigments have become indispensable in many other applications as well.”

 

Beyond construction materials, the pigments are used in artificial turf for sports fields, automotive airbags and brake pads, and catalysts for chemical manufacturing. LANXESS is also advancing their role in electromobility, where they are being developed as precursor materials for electric vehicle batteries.

 

The anniversary has drawn recognition from local leaders, who highlighted the site's significance to both industry and the regional economy.

 

“What has been created at LANXESS in Krefeld-Uerdingen over the past 100 years is a piece of industrial history of inestimable value—and, at the same time, a living part of the present. The pigments manufactured at the Chempark Krefeld-Uerdingen are in demand worldwide,” emphasizes Frank Meyer, Mayor of the City of Krefeld.

 

“The chemical industry faces a major challenge, but those who view the transformation as an opportunity and focus on reinvention are paving the way to the future. LANXESS has repeatedly demonstrated its innovative strength over the past few decades. This benefits everyone because when local industrial companies thrive, the city and its people benefit as well.”

 

The origins of the business trace back to chemist Julius Laux, who in 1926 developed a pioneering process during aniline production. The resulting iron oxide byproduct was transformed into a high-quality synthetic pigment, creating the foundation for what would become one of the industry's most successful product lines.

 

Production accelerated sharply after World War II as reconstruction efforts across Europe fueled demand for building materials. The expansion helped establish LANXESS' leadership position in the global iron oxide pigment market.

 

Today, the company's portfolio includes more than 100 pigment shades, supported by a worldwide manufacturing network. Despite its global reach, Krefeld-Uerdingen remains the center of operations for the Bayferrox and Colortherm pigment brands.

 

LANXESS says its iron oxide pigments have one of the industry's lowest carbon footprints, supported by the continued use of the Laux process—an early example of circular economy principles.

 

The process converts a byproduct of aniline manufacturing into a high-value standalone product, maximizing resource efficiency while minimizing waste. The company is also pursuing broader emissions reductions across production, energy consumption, and logistics as part of its sustainability strategy.

 

As LANXESS enters its second century of pigment production, the company is positioning itself to build on a century of innovation while expanding into emerging applications ranging from advanced manufacturing to electric mobility.