Lanxess AG is a specialty chemicals group based in Germany, with headquarters and major operations in Leverkusen. It was founded in 2004 when Bayer AG spun off its chemicals operations and parts of its polymer activities. As measured by sales, Lanxess is the fourth largest chemicals group in Germany. The company's principal product areas are in specialty, basic and fine chemicals, rubber and plastics.

Lanxess’ roots can be traced back to 1863, the year in which Friedrich Bayer & Co. was founded as a manufacturer of synthetic dyestuffs. In 2004, Bayer, seeking to focus its business on healthcare and nutrition, spun off most of its chemicals business and roughly one-third of its polymers business into an independent subsidiary named Lanxess. Shares in Lanxess AG began to trade on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on January 31, 2005, at which time each shareholder of Bayer was issued one share of stock in Lanxess.

The name "Lanxess" was created as a portmanteau word combining the French word "lancer" (meaning "to launch") with the English word "success."