Manufacturer of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBS) and technically pure potassium sulfate > 99.8% at the Leuna chemical site.
LCP Leuna Carboxylation Plant GmbH
LeunaNew on Amplifa
About LCP Leuna Carboxylation Plant GmbH
LCP Leuna Carboxylation Plant GmbH is a German manufacturer of fine chemicals and has been producing at the Leuna chemical site in Saxony-Anhalt since 1928. The company manufactures p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBS) and technically pure potassium sulfate (K2SO4) with purities above 99.8%, as well as salicylic acid and cresotinic acid (ortho, meta and para isomers). The core process is carboxylation based on the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, which has been operated on a dedicated carboxylation plant since 1961; potassium sulfate has been produced since 2006 using a proprietary process in the precipitation plant. The plant technology also includes a solids treatment plant as well as a physico-chemical and biological wastewater treatment plant. Products are filled to customer specifications in 20-kg paper bags, big bags and custom containers. Customers include institutions from the display and semiconductor production sectors as well as manufacturers of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical products; deliveries are made worldwide. The company has been operating as part of Polyplastics Co. Ltd since September 2012.
- Site
- Leuna
- Processes
- Carboxylation (carboxylation plant, Kolbe-Schmitt reaction), Production of technically pure potassium sulfate (proprietary process since 2006, precipitation, Solids treatment, Wastewater treatment (physico-chemical and biological), Customer-specific fillings (20 kg paper bag, big bag, custom containers), CO2- and energy-efficient production, Cooperation with universities and research institutes, Training of skilled professionals
- Materials
- Potassium sulfate, technically pure, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, Salicylic acid, Cresotinic acid (ortho, para, meta), Cresotinic acid (ortho, meta, para), Carboxylation (Kolbe-Schmitt reaction), Precipitation process (potassium sulfate), Solids treatment
- Certificates
- ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISCC PLUS, ISO 14067, IATF 16949, EN 9100, ISO 13485
- Founded
- 1928
- Industries
- Display and semiconductor production, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Medicine/Dermatology, Food industry, Chemical industry
- 01
Raw material supply (partly from the Leuna Chemical Park)
- 02
Carboxylation (Kolbe-Schmitt reaction)
- 03
Precipitation (potassium sulfate, proprietary process)
- 04
Solids treatment
- 05
Customer-specific filling (20 kg paper bag, big bag, custom containers)
- 06
Worldwide shipping
Products and Processes
p-Hydroxybenzoic acid
Technically pure, pure white, high melting point, low levels of by-products; used among other things in display and semiconductor production.
Potassium sulfate, technically pure
Fine, crystalline, free-flowing pure white powder with low levels of calcium, magnesium, sodium, metals and chloride.
Salicylic acid
Beta-hydroxycarboxylic acid for medicine/dermatology, the food industry and chemical synthesis.
Cresotinic acid (ortho, meta, para)
Phenol compound with antibacterial effect, used in disinfectants and wood preservatives as well as in chemical synthesis.
Carboxylation (Kolbe-Schmitt reaction)
Core process on the carboxylation plant operated since 1961 for the production of hydroxybenzoic acids and salicylic acid.
Precipitation process (potassium sulfate)
Proprietary process for producing technically pure potassium sulfate in the precipitation plant, in use since 2006.
Solids treatment
Processing of solid products with CO2- and energy-efficient plant technology.
Wastewater treatment (physico-chemical and biological)
In-house wastewater treatment plant for preventive reduction of water pollution.
Leuna Site
Leuna
DEProduction site (carboxylation plant, solids treatment and precipitation plant) with customer-specific filling
- Lot size
- Customer-specific fillings: 20 kg paper bag, big bag, custom containers
- Materials
- p-HBS, potassium sulfate, salicylic acid, cresotinic acid
- Carboxylation plant (since 1961)
- Solids treatment plant
- Precipitation plant
- Wastewater treatment plant (physico-chemical and biological)
Products
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carboxylation (carboxylation plant, Kolbe-Schmitt reaction)Engineering | – | – | – | – | p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBS), salicylic acid, cresotinic acid |
| Production of technically pure potassium sulfate (proprietary process since 2006, precipitationEngineering | – | – | – | – | potassium sulfate (K2SO4 > 99.8%) |
| Solids treatmentEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Wastewater treatment (physico-chemical and biological)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
4 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carboxylation plant | – | – | – | 1961 | Leuna |
| Solids treatment plant | – | – | – | – | Leuna |
| Precipitation plant | – | – | – | – | Leuna |
| Wastewater treatment plant (physico-chemical and biological) | – | – | – | – | Leuna |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Certifications
Production follows an integrated management system according to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 50001; the company is also certified to ISCC PLUS and accounts for its CO2 footprint according to ISO 14067. The plant is subject to the Major Accidents Ordinance (12. BImSchV) with regular inspections by experts (last inspection on 14.07.2025).
| Evidence | Leuna |
|---|---|
| ISO 9001 | |
| ISO 14001 | |
| ISO 50001 | |
| ISCC PLUS | |
| ISO 14067 | |
| IATF 16949 | |
| EN 9100 | |
| ISO 13485 |
Company History
- 1916
Development and founding of the Leuna chemical site.
- 1928
Start of operations at the Leuna site as a manufacturer of chemical products.
- 1961
Commissioning of the carboxylation plant, initially for salicylic acid, later for small quantities of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.
- 1996
Extensive investments by the then owner Rhone Poulenc/Rhodia as the basis of today's production quality.
- 2005
Acquisition of the plant by Infatrade (UK) Ltd and founding of LCP Leuna Carboxylation Plant GmbH.
- 2006
Development of a proprietary process for producing technically pure potassium sulfate.
- 2012
Acquisition of LCP Leuna Carboxylation Plant GmbH by Polyplastics Co. Ltd in September 2012.