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Evonik plans further capacity expansion for polyamide 12

22 Dec '11

2 min read

Evonik Industries plans to expand capacities for the specialty polymer polyamide 12. First, the Group is significantly expanding its existing plant in Marl; second, the Executive Board has now approved preliminary and basic planning for a large new polyamide 12 production facility in Asia. The 5,000-metric-ton capacity expansion in Marl is expected to start operating in 2012. The Asian facility, which will provide a very significant expansion of 20,000 metric tons, is scheduled for completion within three years; it now awaits the approval of the company's different bodies.

Dahai Yu, a member of Evonik's Executive Board with responsibility for the Specialty Materials segment, said: "With the significant capacity expansion proposed, we plan to consolidate our leading position in polyamide 12 for the long term. We're relying here on growth in the established markets as well as in emerging regions like Asia." Polyamide 12 is used in innovative and high-quality products in the automotive sector and in electricals and electronics, household gadgets, and sports equipment as well as in industry. And, in conjunction with customers, Evonik has developed new applications in oil and gas production and gas distribution.

"As the sole integrated producer of polyamide 12, Evonik has at its disposal an outstanding and competitive technology platform," added Gregor Hetzke, Head of the Performance Polymers Business Unit. Evonik produces polyamide 12 starting from butadiene; this is converted through various intermediate steps to the monomer laurolactam, which polymerizes to polyamide 12.

This is then processed further by the company into what are known as compounds, in which additives are mixed into the base polymer for the various specialty applications. Evonik markets polyamide 12 as the structural material VESTAMID® and the coating powder VESTOSINT®.

Company Information

Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key mega-trends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. In 2010 about 80 percent of the Group's chemicals sales came from activities where it ranks among the market leaders. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2010 more than 34,000 employees generated sales of around €13.3 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.4 billion.

Evonik Industries