The plant has capacity of 90,000 tonnes and is scheduled to begin production in 2014.
The building of the new plant is part of Lanxess' plans to expand its production network for high-tech plastics, and the company is already building other plants in Gastonia, the US, and Porto Feliz, Brazil. In recent months the firm has built new plant in India and expanded production in Hamm-Uentrop, Germany.
The new plant is being built next to the company's current caprolactam facility in Antwerp.
Worldwide demand for high-tech plastics is expected to rise 5-6% each year until 2020, says the company.
Axel Heitmann, chairman of the board, said in a statement: "This investment is yet another milestone on our way towards profitable growth, and a clear commitment to our Antwerp site. High-tech plastics play a critical role in our global strategy. Our plans for growth depend on innovations and technologies that support the global megatrends."
One key application for the materials from the plant is automotive, as Lanxess materials can be used to replace metal, reducing fuel consumption and emissions. A lightweight design can reduce weight by 10-50%, depending on the component, said Lanxess.
