Bayer completes expansion of French NBR plant

LEVERKUSEN, Germany (July 29)—Bayer A.G. has commissioned an expansion of NBR production capacity at its La Wantzenau, France, plant, and subsequently closed a small production site for these elastomers at its Leverkusen headquarters facility. Bayer invested $20 million to complete the modernization and expansion project. Capacity at La Wantzenau for Perbunan NBR and Krynac acrylonotrile-butadiene rubber was increased 54 percent to 185,000 metric tons, Bayer said. The consolidation of the Leverkusen and La Wantzenau capacities should improve the competitive situation in the long-term, Bayer said. The 85 employees affected by the Leverkusen closing will be offered alternative employment, Bayer said