The name LANXESS stands for innovative specialty chemicals and high-performance polymers around the globe – and that includes Brazil, of course. Unlike other fast-growing markets such as China and India, the very promising South American market has been largely neglected by many Western companies. This is a mistake, as the region offers huge potential for the automotive and tire industries, for example. LANXESS has recognized the sign of the times, however. LANXESS CEO Dr. Axel C. Heitmann talks about his company’s activities and plans in South America.

Dr. Heitmann, what brings you to South America?

Axel C. Heitmann: You’d really have to ask my predecessors that one (laughs), since we’ve been in Brazil since 1896 – up until the end of 2004 as a part of Bayer, of course. So we’ve been here for more than a hundred years, and we’re currently represented by all of our 13 business units, which employ more than 400 people at three locations. Our biggest activities here involve leather chemicals – for which we’ve opened a service center as well – and iron oxides, which we produce in Porto Feliz. Our acquisition of a stake in Petroflex merely marks an expansion measure in a region that was already very important to us, although this expansion is in a key area.