Ninety years of colour pigments from Krefeld-Uerdingen

Speciality chemicals company Lanxess produces iron oxide and chrome oxide pigments for numerous applications in the world’s largest production plant for inorganic colour pigments in Krefeld-Uerdingen ­and has been doing so for 90 years. Whether in the paint on the Eiffel Tower in Paris (pictured), the red asphalt in front of Buckingham Palace in London or numerous products we encounter in our day-to-day lives, pigments from Lanxess are in use all around the world. What began very modestly 90 years ago has turned into a genuine success story. Since its launch in 1926, more than 13Mt of pigments have left the plant in Krefeld-Uerdingen.

Besides production itself, Lanxess also places a very high value on its links with the local community. "We want to find a special way of thanking the city for the decades of outstanding co-operation we have had”, explained Jörg Hellwig, Head of the Lanxess Inorganic Pigments business unit (IPG) at a celebration marking the 90th anniversary of the Uerdingen production facility.

He announced the launch of the new ‘Besser Lernen’ (Learn Better) initiative for educational institutions and youth organisations in Krefeld. With the Lord Mayor as its patron and a total fund of €50,000, the initiative will support projects run by educational institutions and youth organisations that use colour schemes and other measures to improve the learning environment or care services for young people.