Iron oxide pigments from a circular process: LANXESS marks 100 years
Last update on Jun 10, 2026
Formulators working on exterior concrete, coatings, and construction materials can draw on one hundred years of continuous production data from LANXESS's iron oxide pigment operations at Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany.
The Bayferrox® and Colortherm® product ranges – developed at this site since 1926 – cover over 100 shades of synthetic iron oxide pigments. With an annual production capacity of around 300,000 tons, the Krefeld-Uerdingen site represents one of the largest single-site production references available for this pigment class. More than 15 million tons have been produced at this location to date.
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For long-term color stability under outdoor exposure
Iron oxide pigments are selected primarily for applications where long-term color stability under outdoor exposure is a core requirement. Examples include the red asphalt in front of Buckingham Palace in London and the facade of the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.
“People encounter our pigments every day, on streets, roofs, and facades,” says Michael Ertl, head of the Inorganic Pigments business unit at LANXESS, at the anniversary event. “Thanks to the pioneering spirit of our employees in Krefeld, our pigments have become indispensable in many other applications as well.”
These applications include artificial turf for sports fields, airbags and brake pads in the automotive industry, and catalysts for chemical production processes. The use of pigments in electromobility, as a precursor material for batteries in electric cars, is also currently being pursued.
“What has been created at LANXESS in Krefeld-Uerdingen over the past 100 years is a piece of industrial history of inestimable value—and, at the same time, a living part of the present. The pigments manufactured at the Chempark Krefeld-Uerdingen are in demand worldwide,” emphasizes Frank Meyer, mayor of the City of Krefeld, adding: “The chemical industry faces a major challenge, but those who view the transformation as an opportunity and focus on reinvention are paving the way to the future. LANXESS has repeatedly demonstrated its innovative strength over the past few decades. This benefits everyone because when local industrial companies thrive, the city and its people benefit as well.”
Developed as a byproduct of aniline production
LANXESS reports exclusive use of the Laux process – developed at the Krefeld site in 1926 by chemist Julius Laux as a byproduct recovery method in aniline production – which the company positions as an early example of circular economy manufacturing. In this process, the resulting iron oxide was further developed into a high-quality synthetic pigment.
After World War II, production volumes rose rapidly with the subsequent reconstruction of Europe, laying the foundation for LANXESS’ current market leadership in the iron oxide pigment business. Since then, the product range has expanded to over 100 shades. New sites around the globe have bolstered the global production network. To this day, Krefeld-Uerdingen remains at the heart of the global iron oxide pigment industry under the Bayferrox and Colortherm brands.
According to the company, its iron oxide pigments are characterized by an industry-leading low carbon footprint. One key reason for this is the Laux process, an early example of the circular economy, which LANXESS uses exclusively in production. In the Laux process, a byproduct of aniline production is transformed into a high-quality, standalone product: iron oxide pigments.
Additionally, LANXESS is working to reduce emissions throughout the entire value chain, including production, energy use, and logistics.
You can review 1300+ iron oxides and compare properties in the Master Catalog of Coatings.
Image credits: LANXESS