Evonik starts isophorone facilities in China

Evonik Industries has commenced an integrated production complex for isophorone and isophorone diamine in Shanghai, China. The company has invested over Euro 100 million in the facilities, which will have an annual output capacity of 50,000 metric tonnes. Construction in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) took less than two years. Evonik primarily plans to use the output of the new plants to serve customers in the coatings and paint, construction, adhesives, and composite industry in Asia.
 
"The new plant continues our successful growth story in isophorone chemistry. We are now represented in the three major economic zones, Europe, NAFTA, and Asia, with fully backwards integrated production facilities to tap into attractive new growth opportunities," said Patrik Wohlhauser, Member of the Evonik Industries Executive Board and Chief Operating Officer.
 
Evonik has fifty years of experience with isophorone chemistry and continuously improves its process technologies. So far products based on isophorone (crosslinkers) were being manufactured in Marl and Herne, Germany, and in Mobile, USA.
 
"Evonik is the only company worldwide to cover the entire supply chain of isophorone and its derivatives. We now are in a position to quickly and reliably supply our customers in China and other Asian countries from our regional production, consistently offering products of high quality and purity," explains Dr Ulrich Kusthardt, Head of the Coatings & Additives Business Unit.