Essen, Germany - Evonik Industries has approval from the Evonik Degussa GmbH board to construct a new world-scale plant for isophorone and isophorone diamine, which it intends to start-up in 2013. One use for the materials is to make isophorone diisocyanate, which Evonik's polyurethanes business offers as a crosslinking agent for polyurethanes.
At present, a suitable site is being sought, with economic and strategic market factors playing an important role in this decision, said Evonik, in a 13 Dec statement, noting Asia as a possible location. The new plant will plant will significantly strengthen its market leadership in this chemistry, the company commented.
"Isophorone chemistry is a core business for Evonik," said Klaus Engel, chairman of Evonik Industries, in the statement. Engel noted that 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."
Evonik's construction of a world-scale, state-of-the-art plant is a response to increasing demand from its customers in a large number of user industries, the company said, noting that the investment will allow the potential for subsequent expansion of its range in isophorone chemistry.
No details on its investment in the plant, or capacities, were given.
Discussing the location of the new unit, Gerd Brand, head of the Crosslinkers Business Line said Evonik strives to meet customers' future needs regarding costs and geographic proximity: "So we're particularly looking at attractive investment climates in South-East Asia and China."
Evonik currently has production sites in Herne and Marl (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), as well as Mobile (Alabama, US).
Evonik claims to be 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 in making industrial floorings, artificial leather, and paints and coatings, as well as in the growth area of high-performance composites.
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