PITTSBURGH, PA.- Leading specialty chemicals manufacturer LANXESS Corporation announced its plans to celebrate synthetic rubber in a very artistic way in collaboration with The Andy Warhol Museum, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, and 15 well-known global artists.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of a revolutionary invention. On September 12, 1909, Fritz Hofmann received a patent for the “industrial production of synthetic rubber,” which transferred to LANXESS in 2004.

“Where would we be as a society without synthetic rubber? It’s unimaginable,” said Randy Dearth, president and CEO of LANXESS Corporation. “I am very proud that LANXESS is the heir to the synthetic rubber patent.”

LANXESS and The Andy Warhol Museum reached out to 15 global artists and asked them for sketches and ideas of what they would do with synthetic rubber as a medium. A panel of judges including both scientists and artists chose the winning piece. Hank Willis Thomas and Ryan Alexiev collaborated on their submission and proposed the work entitled, “Wheel of Fortune.”

The Unnatural Rubber exhibition will be on view at The Andy Warhol Museum from October 18, 2009 through January 31, 2010 and then travel to other museums and LANXESS locations around the world.

“I believe the piece submitted by Hank and Ryan scored the highest in judging because it blended art, science, history and innovation beautifully,” said Eric Shiner, the Milton Fine Curator of Art at The Andy Warhol Museum.

The UnnaturalRubber.com website follows the exhibition and will feature artist interaction along with a look at other pieces from the exhibition, historical synthetic rubber information, and artist submissions.

Dearth, who was named Chairman of The Warhol Museum board of directors in 2008, believes that collaborating with the museum on the Unnatural Rubber Artist Challenge is great for the chemical industry, The Warhol Museum, and the public. “If we don’t take the time and celebrate these significant milestones, we will never truly appreciate all the innovation surrounding us. Adding the art element makes chemistry and its advancements available to everyone.”

LANXESS produces hundreds of different grades of synthetic rubber designed for a diverse range of applications, making it the manufacturer with the broadest product range. With 100 years of experience in synthetic elastomers the company is also regarded as a technology leader and a driving force in the industry.