Evonik opens a catalysts plant in Argentina

The Germany-based Evonik Industries has started up a new plant for manufacturing biodiesel-production catalysts in Argentina. Patrik Wohlhauser, the member of the Evonik Executive Board responsible for the South America Region, said, “We are investing in Argentina, because we want to take advantage of the opportunities for long-term success that the South American market has to offer. As one of the world's leading providers of biodiesel-production catalysts, we wish to continue consolidating and expanding our position.
 
With an annual capacity of over 60,000 metric tonnes, the new production plant will supply ready-to-use alkoxides for use as catalysts in biodiesel production from renewable raw materials. The new facilities will serve primarily the Argentine and Brazilian markets. Evonik located the plant on the same site as Terminal 6 S.A., which operates a large biodiesel facility.
 
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As Jan Van den Bergh, President of Evonik's Advanced Intermediates Business Unit, explained, “Our aim in building the plant in Puerto General San Martin in the Rosario Region—in the heart of Argentina's biodiesel industry—is to supply our South American customers with locally produced, high-quality catalysts."
 
Evonik has proven expertise in the production of biodiesel catalysts, backed up by many years of experience. In 2009, the company started up a new production facility in Mobile, Alabama, USA, with a capacity of 60,000 metric tons p.a. Evonik products from this plant meet the demand for biodiesel on the North American market. Following the success of the new production technology in the United States, the same type of plant was built in Argentina. The new technology involves directly reacting alcohol with sodium hydroxide to produce alkoxides.
 
Evonik already ranks among the world leaders in biodiesel catalysts—a position it also holds in South America. "The new facility in Argentina will allow us to strengthen our business, both globally and within the region," explained Weber Ferreira Porto, the regional president for South America. "Our aim here is to participate in the development of the biodiesel market, which is forecast to experience positive growth over the medium term.”