“ One of the most promising areas of research for our new R&D Centre is rubber made from biomass instead of petroleum-based raw materials. Here in this R&D Centre, we have produced the first quantities of bio-butyl. This bio-based rubber will enable us to decouple our resources from petroleum dependency. ”
Axel C. Heitmann, Chairman of the Board of Management, LANXESS
Canada’s multi-billion dollar chemicals and plastics industry continues to thrive thanks to world-class petrochemical facilities, competitively priced feedstocks, favourable corporate tax rates, abundant skilled labour (including scientists and engineers), generous R&D incentives and ready access to major North American industrial and consumer markets.
In 2010, Canada’s chemicals and plastics sector generated revenues of $60 billion, with exports accounting for 57 percent of this amount.