Evonik opens surfactants facility in Shanghai

Evonik Industries has opened a new production facility for organic specialty surfactants in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) in Shanghai, China. “With this investment, we are sustainably expanding our business in Asia. The new plant in Shanghai not only plays a key role in further consolidating our position in the Chinese market, but is also an important element of our strategy for the growth markets of the entire region,” emphasised Dr Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG.
 
The new facility has an annual capacity of around 80,000 metric tonnes. The investment volume was in the upper two-digit million Euro range. The production uses a number of different technologies, enabling Evonik to offer a broad portfolio of locally manufactured products. These include specialty surfactants from renewable resources that are used in personal care and hygiene products, household cleaning agents, and industrial applications.
 
ALSO READ: Kanoria Chemicals to form JV with US-based Momentive Specialty Chemicals

The production focuses on key product groups such as amphoteric surfactants, amidoamines, esters, alkoxylates and quats. The startup of the new facility has created some 80 new jobs. Evonik already operates a similar plant in Bekasi, Indonesia, mainly serving manufacturers in the personal and household care industries in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
 
The market for laundry care products in Asia is driven by consumer desire for a more comfortable and convenient lifestyle. The Chinese cosmetics market, Asia’s single largest, has been growing in double-digits and is expected to continue growing in this range. The Chinese market for cosmetic ingredients follows this trend.
 
This growth is propelled by a prospering middle class that is changing its consumer behaviour and showing a growing awareness of high quality and high product performance. In addition, consumers are increasingly focusing on trends such as well-being and sustainability which also contributes to the positive market development.