Lanxess AG : LANXESS kicks off political year in Berlin

Germany's Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Development, Peter Ramsauer, as honorary guest / LANXESS is key enabler of green mobility / EU tire labeling to be introduced in 2012

Berlin, Germany - The leading specialty chemicals company, LANXESS, is kicking off this year's political calendar in Germany's capital tonight. Some 250 dignitaries from politics, industry, academia and the media will be attending an event at the Academy of Art on Berlin's Pariser Platz to discuss key trends that will shape 2012.

Tonight's honorary guest and keynote speaker will be Dr. Peter Ramsauer, Germany's Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Development, who will appear alongside the LANXESS Board of Management, headed by Chairman of the Board of Management Axel C. Heitmann.

"We are delighted to welcome Mr. Ramsauer to our event. It is more than fitting that the minister for transport policies is here tonight, and we appreciate his recognition of LANXESS' role as a key enabler of green mobility in Germany and throughout the world," said Heitmann.

"The mobility megatrend is an integral part of our growth strategy. But growth alone is not enough; it must be sustainable. That is why we focus on innovation and technology to develop the products of tomorrow that save energy and help protect the environment. However, more must be done to create a framework for sustainable growth and this is only possible through an open dialogue involving business, political and social leaders here in Berlin and beyond."

EU tire label launch in 2012

November 2012 will see the launch of mandatory tire labeling in the European Union. Tires will be graded from A to G according to their fuel efficiency and wet grip. Rolling noise is also measured. The new legislation aims to reduce CO2 and noise emissions by promoting "Green Tires" that do not compromise on safety. In addition, the labels will provide more transparency for consumers.

As the world's largest synthetic rubber company, LANXESS is a key supplier of neodymium polybutadiene rubber (Nd-PBR) and solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR) to leading tire manufacturers. "Green Tires" can reach their peak performance with formulations containing both types of rubber.

In addition, LANXESS is a leading supplier of high-tech plastics that represent a lighter-weight alternative to metal parts in the automotive industry, thus contributing to fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. In addition, these plastics allow carmakers and car parts suppliers to achieve considerable savings through more cost-efficient production and easier assembly, while at the same time enabling more freedom of design.

"Our well-established premium products clearly underline our credentials as a key enabler of green mobility," said Heitmann.

LANXESS Public Affairs

Tonight's event is the third time in three years that LANXESS has launched the political year in Berlin. The company opened a new liaison office in Germany's capital only last year, headed by Johannes Neukirchen, with support from Benjamin Simonic. Last year, the company also opened an EU liaison office in Brussels, headed by Stefan Borst.

LANXESS' political communication focuses on generating discussion of the issues that affect its own corporate strategic concerns, including eco-friendly product and process innovations, the developments in the markets for raw materials and energy, and labor market and educational issues.

Silke Jansen is responsible for political communication in connection with LANXESS' German production locations and heads the company's global education initiative. Axel Vassen coordinates all global-level activities relating to public affairs and corporate responsibility. Overall responsibility in the field of public affairs is held by Christoph Sieder, Head of Corporate Communications at LANXESS.