UPDATE 1-Bayer, Lanxess declare force majeure in Texas

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FRANKFURT, Sept 19 (Reuters) - German chemical makers Bayer BAYG.DE and Lanxess (LXSG.DE) have declared force majeure on parts of their chemicals and plastics production in Texas, citing damage from Hurricane Ike.

Bayer's MaterialScience unit said on Friday it declared force majeure for a large part of its production in Baytown, Texas, because the hurricane cut the site off from its raw-material supplies.

While Ike had not directly damaged Bayer's factories, which make plastics, foams and coatings, it had affected the region's railroad tracks, harbours, roads and power supplies.

Force majeure is a clause included in contracts to remove liability in case of unavoidable catastrophes.

Bayer said it is currently unable to foresee how long the production stoppage would last, but added it was confident damage would be repaired in "coming weeks" and that any temporary losses in sales could be made up.

Separately, Lanxess declared force majeure for parts of production in Orange, Texas and Baytown.

The company said it was currently assessing the extent of the damage and was yet unable to say how long the stoppage would last, a spokesman said, when contacted by Reuters.

Bayer shares were 0.4 percent higher at 54.88 euros by 1036 GMT, while Lanxess shares were up 9.3 percent at 22.48 euros. (Reporting by Ludwig Burger; editing by Sue Thomas)