LANXESS switches to hydrogen for pigment production in Germany

LANXESS has transitioned its production facility in Krefeld-Uerdingen to use hydrogen instead of natural gas for drying iron oxide pigments. The company installed a modified hydrogen burner on a spray dryer, marking one of the first large-scale industrial applications of continuous hydrogen combustion in Germany.

The project aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by approximately 6,000 tons of CO2 per year. The hydrogen used in the process is supplied via pipeline as a byproduct from a neighboring Covestro plant, where it is produced during chlorine electrolysis. This integration highlights the efficiency of chemical industrial parks (Verbundstandorte) in facilitating decarbonization through shared infrastructure and short supply lines.

LANXESS intends to reduce its direct emissions to zero by 2040. The technical upgrade included the installation of a dedicated hydrogen pipeline, specialized burner and measurement technology, and enhanced safety and control systems.