Evonik expands its production capacities for methacrylate crosslinkers of the VISIOMER® brand

• Expanded crosslinker portfolio at Mobile site (Alabama, USA)
• Production start-up is scheduled for Q3 2018
• Improved availability for customers in the US

Darmstadt (Germany)/ Mobile (Alabama, USA), 12-Apr-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik is expanding its production capacities for methacrylate crosslinkers of the VISIOMER® brand. To this end, the Methacrylates Business Line has made an investment in the low single-digit million-euro range at the Mobile site (Alabama, USA). The start-up is scheduled for the third quarter of 2018.

“With this investment, we will further improve the global positioning of Application Monomers. It will allow us to provide customers with crosslinkers from our plants in the US, Germany, and China,” explains Hans-Peter Hauck, head of the Methacrylates Business Line in the Performance Materials Segment.

“In the future, we will be able to provide methacrylate crosslinkers for the US market out of Mobile plant,” continues Grant Lafontaine, general manager of the Application and Bulk Monomers Product Lines in the US. “We will thereby significantly improve our flexibility and responsiveness for the benefit of our customers in the US.”

The investment in Mobile will continue to develop the strengths of the methacrylates business including leading market positions, operative excellence, strong brands, leading technologies and excellent network structures. To ensure future development of these strengths, Evonik is currently looking for the best owner for its methacrylates business, which is being set up as an independent entity. The aim is to find a new owner who will invest in the long term growth of the methacrylates business ensuring it a bright and successful future.

Evonik’s VISIOMER® crosslinkers are used in many applications such as paints and coatings, composites, and plastics. In the final product they can improve chemical resistance or technical hardness, for example.

VISIOMER®, Evonik’s global trademark for methacrylate monomers, stands for high-quality products, global services, and comprehensive expertise. Learn more about VISIOMER® at our booth (2728) at the American Coatings Show 2018, April 10 – 12, in Indianapolis (Indiana, USA).

Company information
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2017, the enterprise generated sales of €14.4 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.36 billion.

About Performance Materials
The Performance Materials Segment is managed by Evonik Performance Materials GmbH. The segment focuses its global activities on developing and manufacturing polymer materials and intermediates, especially for use in agriculture and in the rubber and plastics industry. In 2017, the segment’s roughly 4,400 employees generated sales about €3.8 billion.

Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

SOURCE: Evonik

Contact person
Jonathan Polan
Marketing Specialist
Performance Materials
Phone +1-973-929-8262
Fax +1 973-929-8448
Jonathan.polan@evonik.com