Public figures show that China's pharmaceutical position by consumption in the world jumped from 10th in 2001 to seventh in 2009 and it is expected to be second, behind only the United States, by 2020.

"We take a long-term view, and we are not discouraged by the current weakness in demand, which we view as temporary," Lanxess Chairman Heitmann said.

The company has invested more than 500 million euros globally in recent years to upgrade and strengthen its butyl rubber manufacturing base. Most of the investment has been aimed at better serving the growing global market and Asia, he said.

The company has steadily increased its presence in China, where Lanxess has nine wholly owned subsidiaries, one joint venture and two major research and development facilities, he said.