Evonik plans capacity expansion in isophorone chemistry
- Capacity expansion planned for isophorone and isophorone diamine
- New world-scale plant will significantly strengthen market leadership
- Start of production scheduled for 2013
Evonik Industries intends to construct a new production plant for isophorone and isophorone diamine. A suitable site is being sought, and economic and strategic market factors play an important role in this decision. Production is scheduled to start in 2013. The Board of Management of Evonik Degussa GmbH has now approved the plant project plan.
“Isophorone chemistry is a core business for Evonik. The market for isophorone and its derivatives is growing steadily and proved to be robust even during the economic crisis. That’s why we want to sustainably strengthen our market and technological leadership by capacity expansion,” explains Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries.
In planning construction of a world-scale, state-of-the-art plant, Evonik is responding to increasing demand from its customers in a large number of user industries. With this investment, moreover, the company is creating a framework for possible subsequent expansion of its range in isophorone chemistry.
“We strive for meeting our customers' expectations and future needs best possible regarding costs and geographic proximity,” says Gerd Brand, head of the Crosslinkers Business Line. “So we're particularly looking at attractive investment climates in South-East Asia and China and will take these into consideration when taking the final decision for the location of our new plant.” Evonik currently has production sites in Herne and Marl (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), as well as Mobile (Alabama, USA).
Evonik is the only company in the world to produce and market the entire isophorone line, consisting of isophorone, isophorone diamine, isophorone diisocyanate, and derivatives. These products are used as an important component in a wide range of applications, for example, in the production of industrial floorings, artificial leather, and paints and coatings as well as in the growth area of high performance composites.