Specialty chemicals company LANXESS is globally increasing its prices for ion exchange resins and inorganic pigments, effective July 1, 2012. At the same time, LANXESS’ wholly owned subsidiary Saltigo GmbH  is to increase its prices worldwide for its proven active ingredient Saltidin, used in insect repellents, by up to 15 percent because of the rise in raw material costs.

The Inorganic Pigments business unit is increasing its prices by a minimum of EUR 100 per metric ton. Customers will be contacted individually regarding the specifics of the measure as it applies to their products or regions. Inorganic pigments produced by LANXESS according to strict sustainability guidelines are marketed under the trade names Bayferrox, Bayoxide and Colortherm. They are the preferred choice worldwide for the coloration of construction materials, paints and coatings, plastics and paper and as specialty pigments for toners and other applications. Further information can be found at www.bayferrox.com.

The Ion Exchange Resins business unit is to increase its prices for its proven Lewatit ion exchange resins by an average of five percent. The precise adjustment will depend on resin grade and region. The premium products play an important role in industrial water treatment, food processing and many processes of the chemical industry. Detailed information is available at www.lewatit.com.

Both business units, Inorganic Pigments and Ion Exchange Resins, are part of LANXESS’ Performance Chemicals segment, which posted sales of EUR 2.13 billion in fiscal 2011.

Warding off insects

Saltidin successfully supports the control of dangerous diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and Dengue fever. The modern insect repellent active ingredient from Saltigo repels insects by acting effectively on their sense of smell in a way that does not bother users. Saltidin is the first-line repellent recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the prevention of malaria. It is contained in a large number of commercial insect-repellent products. Detailed information can be found on at www.saltidin.com.

Saltigo GmbH, headquartered in Langenfeld/Germany, is a leading supplier in the field of custom synthesis. The company of specialty chemicals group LANXESS belongs to the Advanced Intermediates segment, which achieved total sales in 2011 of EUR 1,545 million.