Evonik and AkzoNobel begin work on membrane electrolysis plant in Ibbenburen

  
Werner Fuhrmann, member of AkzoNobel’s executive committee responsible for specialty chemicals, added, “The state-of-the-art plant we are building will set a new benchmark for the production of chlorine and potassium hydroxide solution. It will improve the ecological footprint of every ton of chlorine we produce in Ibbenburen by 25 to 30 percent. This will result in less energy use and fewer CO2 emissions, while there will also be clear benefits for the local chemical cluster.”  
  
After the completion of the membrane electrolysis, Evonik will take the new plant’s potassium hydroxide solution for commercialisation and processing at its own site in Lulsdorf, where it processes potassium hydroxide solution into potassium carbonate (potash). AkzoNobel will commercialise the chlorine and hydrogen produced as a result of electrolysis at the new plant, or will process these products directly at the Ibbenburen site. All previous production of chlorine, potassium hydroxide and caustic lye using mercury-based amalgam electrolysis has to be discontinued by the end of 2017 due to legislative requirements.