Evonik to invest Euro 100 million in Shanghai facility

The Germany-based specialty chemicals major, Evonik Industries, will invest more than Euro 100 million in Shanghai, China to significantly expand its global isophorone and isophorone diamine capacities. The new production plants will be completed in the first quarter of 2014 and will increase the total capacities of isophorone and isophorone diamine significantly.
 
Dr Ulrich Kusthardt, President of Evonik’s Coating & Additives Business Unit, said, “We are investing in China, because we are committed to the growth region Asia. As a world leader in isophorone-based products, we will continue to further consolidate and expand our position in this chemistry.”
 
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With the Group’s expansion strategy it aims to support the growth ambitions of key customers in Asia and around the world. Proximity to consumers in this growing market will translate into improved local service, shorter lead times, and faster responses to changes in demand. “Our aim in building the plants in Shanghai - at the company’s existing multi-user site - is to supply our Asian customers with the same high-quality products they are used to from our plants in Europe and the US, now from a plant in the region," added Gerd Brand, Senior Vice President and Head of Crosslinkers Business Line.
 
Evonik has proven expertise in the manufacturing of products based on isophorone, backed up by fifty years of experience. The Group is a global market leader in isophorone chemistry with production facilities in Herne, Marl (Germany); Mobile, Alabama (USA); and Antwerp (Belgium). Its products are known worldwide under the brand names of Vestamin, Vestanat, Vestagon and Vestasol.