14 March 2018
Evonik is one of the world's largest producers of polyamide 12 (PA 12),
which it markets as VESTAMID® L.
We benefit here from backward-integrated production:
From butadiene as the starting material Evonik produces
laurolactam,
the monomer for PA12, in a multi-stage process.
DETAILS
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Evonik's largest investment in Germany
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Targeted strengthening of
the Resource Efficiency growth segment -
Strong growth for high-performancepolymer polyamide 12
in the automotive sector, the oil and gas industry,
and 3D printing
Evonik is planning to build a new production complex
for the high-performance polymer polyamide 12 (PA 12).
The Group intends to increase
its overall PA 12 capacity by more than 50 percent.
After successful basic engineering, Evonik plans
to invest approximately €400 million
in the PA 12 complex at its largest site,
Marl Chemical Park in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Part of the PA12 production complex in Marl
The existing PA 12 production is to be supplemented
with additional manufacturing facilities
for the polymer and its precursors.
The complex is expected
to become operational in early 2021.
The investment will make a substantial contribution
to reaching Evonik’s margin goal
and will generate
an annual cash flow in a three-digit million euro amount
over the long term.
The project is to be implemented over the course
of four years as part of
the annual budget for growth investments.
Polyamide 12 is required in attractive growth markets
such as
* the automotive industry,
* oil and gas pipelines, and in
* 3D printing.
Thanks to its outstanding properties, such as
* high stability paired with flexibility,
* high temperature resistance and low weight,
the high-performance polymer is used in
many demanding applications as a replacement for steel:
in automotive and lightweight design as well as
in oil and gas pipelines.
In addition to current applications in the automotive sector,
Evonik is also very well positioned
for the future production of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Furthermore, the material is used
in the medical sector and in 3D printing.
Christian Kullmann,
Chairman of the Evonik Executive Board
“We are planning Evonik’s largest investment in Germany,”
“This investment is a perfect fit to
our strategy of consistent focus on specialty chemicals
since polyamide 12, as a high-performance polymer
for specialty applications, is an important part of
our strategic Growth Engine Smart Materials.”
Kullmann considers Germany an attractive
and competitive industrial location:
“Our workforce in Marl is highly qualified, and our investment
will create about 150 jobs. Moreover,
we can make optimal use of synergies
with our existing infrastructure.
That creates highly favorable conditions
to sell our specialty products on a global scale.”
Claus Rettig,
Chairman of the Board of
Management of Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH
The PA 12 market is posting
annual growth rates exceeding 5 percent worldwide,
significantly outpacing the global gross domestic product.
In the specialty application of 3D printing,
growth rates even reach double digits.
“The demand for polyamide 12 is showing
steady, dynamic growth,"
“The planned capacity expansion will further strengthen
our leading market position for polyamide 12.
For our customers worldwide, our commitment translates
into long-term availability and reliability of supply
for their existing and future applications."
WWW.CHEMWINFO.COM BY KHUN PHICHAI
