2013-04-09

Interview with Torsten Derr from MPP

“An important step in positioning LANXESS as a leading supplier of biocides for paints and coatings in the Asia Pacific region”

Leverkusen, Singapore -

LANXESS acquired the Asian biocide specialist PCTS. It will be integrated into the Material Protection Products (MPP) business unit. We spoke to the business unit head Torsten Derr about the new site in Singapore and the overall MPP growth strategy.

LANXESS: Why did LANXESS decide to acquire PCTS Specialty Chemicals Pte Ltd in Singapore?

Torsten Derr: The company PCTS is a leader in biocides for environmentally friendly water-based paints meeting all relevant environmental criteria. This makes PCTS a perfect match considering our high standards.

With this acquisition, LANXESS will gain access to a complementary portfolio of biocides and will benefit from PCTS’ highly-recognized product expertise.  PCTS’ know-how in paints and coatings will enable us to ideally serve our customers in Asia and in other parts of the world.

LANXESS: To paint the bigger picture - how does this acquisition relate to the LANXESS overall growth strategy for the business unit MPP under Performance Chemicals?

Derr: The opening of our microbiology test lab in Wuxi, China close to our manufacturing assets in 2008 was the first milestone in our growth strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. Later our business unit increased its service offerings at the technical center in Singapore. Apart from standard analytical methods, we implemented new technical services, including customized tests for determining the effectiveness of biocides in coatings.  

In January 2012  we inaugurated our new production facility in Jhagadia, India which allows us to serve the growing Indian biocide market.

So looking at this bigger picture, with the acquisition of PCTS MPP  gains access to additional manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Singapore perfectly fitting to the existing setup in India and China.  This will bring MPP in a leadership position as a biocide supplier for paints and coatings in Asia.

LANXESS: There is a lot going on - what else is new at MPP?

Derr: Acquisitions like this one are one path for growth. Another path is a real breakthrough, that we achieved in our R&D labs.

Our researchers in MPP have succeeded in using cutting-edge “slow release technology” to develop a new algicidal product formulation that exhibits a far better active ingredient retention rate in the color matrix than standard dry-film preservation products.

Several tests showed that it reduced active ingredient leaching from paints caused by rain by over 50 percent compared to conventional algicides. By improving leaching behavior, the method extends the lifetime of facade coatings and can reduce the amount of active ingredient required.

Combining this R&D success with new markets gained by the acquisition of PCTS, we are strongly looking forward to enhanced growth, especially in the very important Asian market for paints and coatings.

LANXESS: Thank you very much for the update!