LANXESS Corporation was formed when the Bayer Group combined most of its chemical businesses and large segments of its polymer activities. The company began operating as a legal entity in the United States on July 1, 2004. LANXESS Corporation is a member of the German LANXESS-Group that was spun-off from Bayer in January 2005. The LANXESS-Group manufactures high-quality products in the areas of chemicals, synthetic rubber and plastics. The companies' portfolio comprises basic and fine chemicals, color pigments, plastics, synthetic rubber and rubber chemicals, leather, textile processing chemicals, material protection products and water treatment products. In 2005, LANXESS Corporation employed about 1,900 persons in the United States.