LANXESS at the 11th Michelin Challenge Bibendum,  
Berlin, May 18 – 22, 2011

Innovations in chemistry for sustainable mobility

Rubber products for “green” tires and plastics for lightweight construction 

Leverkusen – LANXESS will be exhibiting at the 11th Challenge Bibendum, organized by the Michelin Group, this year on the grounds of the former Berlin-Tempelhof Airport. “This event is considered one of the world's foremost specialist- and discussion forums on issues relating to sustainable mobility and the corresponding technical solutions. As such, it is the ideal setting for us to present our material innovations for the lightweight, low-emissions and safe motor vehicle of the future,” explains Dr. Werner Breuers, Member of the Board of Management of LANXESS. 

At a news conference during the event, Dr. Ron Commander, head of the Butyl Rubber Business Unit at LANXESS, will explain how LANXESS wants to help its customers achieve sustainable mobility with innovative products and technologies. For example, new high-performance rubber grades will be showcased that significantly reduce the rolling resistance of tires which can account for roughly one-fifth of a vehicle's total fuel consumption. The topic of lightweight construction concepts based on the high-tech plastics Durethan and Pocan will also be presented. The concepts include new, all-plastic composite technology based on nylon composite sheet and polyamide, which supports the fabrication of very lightweight, but strong vehicle body parts. Also on exhibit will be high-performance elastomers from the Therban range for applications in new engine concepts, and a project for the manufacture of synthetic rubber from renewable raw materials. These and other innovations will also be on display at the company's 80 square meters of stand space in the Technical Exhibition Center. 

Some 5,000 participants from all over the world are expected to attend this year’s Challenge Bibendum, including specialists from automotive and equipment manufacturers, suppliers and energy providers, as well as decision-makers from the public and private sectors. Topics for discussion will include alternative drive concepts, intelligent traffic concepts and aspects of road safety. Around 200 vehicles, from two-wheelers and passenger cars to trucks and buses, not to mention prototypes and future production vehicles, give insight into mobility in the future. 

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 7.1 billion in 2010 and currently around 15,500 employees in 30 countries. The company is at present represented at 46 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

Leverkusen, 	May 19, 2011
rei/erb		(2011-00100e)

Forward-Looking Statements.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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