Milestones: Saltigo's 10th anniversary

Saltigo entered the market 10 years ago. Since then, the company has grown into a globally leading specialist in the field of exclusive synthesis. A look at its historical timeline:

2006: On April 1, 2006, Saltigo GmbH is founded as a wholly-owned subsidiary of specialty chemicals group LANXESS. The company now has the opportunity to concentrate fully on its core business of custom and exclusive synthesis, and to rapidly and efficiently adapt to market conditions and demands. With investments in the millions, LANXESS provides for the rapid modernization, adaptation and expansion of existing plants. 

Modernization and qualification of the hydrogenation plant, with an annual capacity of 500 metric tons, to the standards of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP), is completed in record time. Only nine months elapse between the start of planning and the first customer audit together with the launch of production in September 2006. 

Saltigo receives the Syngenta Purchasing Award in recognition of successfully establishing a complex, five-stage synthesis involving complex reaction steps and delivering the first 20 metric tons of product within just six months of receiving the order.

2007: The active ingredient for mosquito repellent, Icaridin, marketed today by Saltigo under the brand name Saltidin, is launched successfully in South and Central America, Africa, India and the Middle East.

On October 16, 2007, the British Crop Protection Council (BCPC) and the trade journal “Agrow” select Saltigo as winner of the “Best Supplier” award.

2008: Saltigo adapts to market demands. The Agro and Specialty Chemicals business lines are combined in the process. 

At the beginning of the year, LANXESS Corporation establishes a new site in Redmond, near Seattle, in the U.S. State of Washington. It specializes in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients for early clinical testing through Phase IIa. This gives the Pharma business line an operating base in the United States. 

On February 14, 2008, Saltigo opens an ultra-modern multi-purpose plant, referred to as “Building O10,” as part of the Leverkusen facility network, for the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates. Some EUR 10 million is invested to convert an existing plant complex into this new CGMP facility. A total of over 200 metric tons of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and registered intermediates can be manufactured annually in the plant’s four production modules.

2009: In November 2009, Saltigo is rated “Best Supplier” by the well-known trade journal “Agrow” for the second time in succession, staving off competition from a large number of companies from China, India and Europe. Explaining their selection of Saltigo, the judges highlight the fact that Saltigo has further expanded its position as one of the leading synthesis partners in the agrochemicals sector.

2010: Saltigo launches operation of new plants for active ingredients for agrochemicals in May. The year before, a leading manufacturer of crop protection agents had invested some EUR 50 million in the expansion of several Saltigo plants in Leverkusen to significantly expand capacities for synthesizing the active ingredients for its crop protection products. 

Saltigo in June passes an audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with a “No findings” rating.

2011: Saltigo in late June receives the coveted Responsible Care Award from the German Chemical Industry Association VCI. The award is part of the “No Excuses” initiative, which supports fundamental improvements in occupational safety.

2012: Saltigo resolves to gear its exclusive synthesis business more closely to agrochemicals and to concentrate its pharmaceuticals business on the production of active ingredients for Phase III clinical trials and beyond. The site in Redmond therefore is closed down, as it is equipped for the earlier clinical trials.

Saltidin is launched in May in Asia on the occasion of an international trade conference. 

The “Global Sourcing Award of Recognition 2012,” in the category “Partnership,” is awarded to Saltigo at the 2012 Syngenta Supplier Conference in recognition of its achievement in fully meeting all 12 of Syngenta's quality requirements for suppliers.

2013: The LANXESS Board of Management approves an investment package totaling as some of EUR 20 million to create additional capacities for solids isolation in four facilities in Leverkusen. Technologies such as crystallization, filtration and drying are critical to the manufacture of active ingredients and intermediates that display properties similar to those of active ingredients. Demand for these technologies is on the rise. 

In September, Saltigo relocates its corporate headquarters from Langenfeld to Leverkusen, in the former LANXESS central offices.

2014: The internal “Saltigo Vision 2020” initiative lays the groundwork for strategic direction and expansion projects in Leverkusen. 

2015: Specialty chemicals company LANXESS invests around EUR 60 million in the expansion of Saltigo GmbH's production facilities in Leverkusen. The biggest single investment in Saltigo in Leverkusen since its establishment is intended to increase synthesis capacities for custom manufacturing at the Central Organics Pilot Plant (ZeTO) by around a third, and to sustainably strengthen the LANXESS subsidiary’s market position. 

Saltigo uses a large share of the investment to add more reactors to its multi-purpose facilities and to construct two new solids isolation and drying lines. In addition, plans are in place to build a new container warehouse adjacent to the facility. Construction work is due to begin in mid-2016 and production is due to be launched by the end of 2017.

Detailed information about the company can be found on the internet at http://www.saltigo.com.