Lanxess has started up a new on-site power plant at its location in Porto Feliz, Brazil. This will increase the efficiency and environmental compatibility of the on-site production of iron oxide pigments, which are marketed globally as Bayferrox and regionally as Po Xadrez. The innovative, highly efficient cogeneration plant for the production of electricity and steam has a capacity of 4.5 MW and achieves an efficiency of up to 90%. It is powered by bagasse, a fibrous component of sugar cane that is left over after sugar production. Thanks to the use of this renewable, environmentally friendly raw material, energy can be produced on a CO2-neutral basis. The amount of CO2 released is exactly the same as that previously absorbed by the sugar cane crops during growth.
    
The project was launched in 2008 and cost approximately €8 million. The start-up of the new cogeneration plant is enabling the company to cut CO2 emissions at the site significantly. Annual climate gas emissions will be approximately 44,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalents less than in 2002.