Evonik Invests in Shanghai Plant Expansion to Meet Athletic Footwear Demand

Evonik Invests in Shanghai Plant Expansion to Meet Athletic Footwear Demand

(IN BRIEF) Evonik is doubling its production capacity for VESTAMID® E, a polyether block amide (PEBA) used in high-performance athletic shoes. The expansion includes a major project at its production plant in Shanghai, China and an optimization project at its facility in Marl, Germany. The expansion in Shanghai will increase the company’s ability to polymerize PEBA, the key step in producing the raw material. VESTAMID® E is known for its exceptional qualities that make it ideal for high-performance athletic shoes. In addition to expanding its production capacity for VESTAMID® E, Evonik is also emphasizing the production of VESTAMID® eCO, which has a 42 percent lower carbon footprint and is made using 100 percent renewable energy and 50 percent recycled tires.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 15-Apr-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik is doubling its global capacity for VESTAMID® E, polyether block amide (PEBA), with a twofold approach including a major expansion of its production plant at the Multi-User-Site (MUSC) in Shanghai, and an optimization project at its production facility in Marl, Germany. Construction at the Shanghai site starts in Fall 2023 and will increase the company’s ability for the polymerization of PEBA, a key step in producing the raw material, which is highly demanded by the global, athletic footwear market.

“As the worldwide footwear production continues to grow, this latest investment in Shanghai will significantly increase Evonik’s PEBA production capacity, expand our regional presence, and put us in an optimal position to address the global market that is centered primarily on local manufacturing in Asia,” says Ralf Düssel, head of Evonik’s High Performance Polymers business line.

Complementing the expansion in Shanghai, several other projects are currently ongoing to eliminate bottlenecks and optimize overall production at Evonik’s other major PEBA facility in Marl, Germany.

Evonik’s VESTAMID® E, is a long-established compound with exceptional qualities that are ideal for use in high-performance athletic shoes. Continuous technological developments have allowed midsoles featuring VESTAMID® E to be extremely lightweight, offering an excellent energy return that enhances the performance of the athlete. In addition to these attributes, VESTAMID® E also exhibits great low-temperature impact strength, excellent chemical resistance and is easy to process and color – making it highly sought after in many demanding applications in the automotive and medical technology industries.

As part of Evonik’s “Next-Generation Solutions” strategy, which has a 2030 goal of having more than 50% of its sales from products with superior sustainability benefits, the company is also placing high emphasis on producing VESTAMID® eCO, which retains all characteristics of a PEBA molding compound. VESTAMID® eCO features a 42 percent lower carbon footprint – it is made using 100 percent renewable energy and has 50 percent of its raw materials based on recycled tires, through a third-party audited, mass-balance approach.

“Constant innovation continues to drive this industry in the improvement of weight reduction, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. PEBA-based foams made with VESTAMID® E or VESTAMID® eCO, are leaders in this category and are widely regarded as one of the highest performing materials in the market,” says Ralf Düssel.

With more than 50 years of experience in developing and manufacturing specialty and high-performance plastics, Evonik has a comprehensive product portfolio that offers innovative solutions for virtually any industrial application.

COMPANY INFORMATION

Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of €18.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of €2.49 billion in 2022. Evonik goes far beyond chemistry to create innovative, profitable, and sustainable solutions for customers. About 34,000 employees work together for a common purpose: We want to improve life today and tomorrow.

ABOUT SMART MATERIALS

The Smart Materials division includes businesses with innovative materials that enable resource-saving solutions and replace conventional materials. They are the smart answer to the major challenges of our time: environment, energy efficiency, urbanization, mobility and health. The Smart Materials division generated sales of €4.83 billion in 2022 with about 7,900 employees.

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.

Media Contact:

Isabel Ramor
Head of Market Communications
High Performance Polymers
Phone: +49 2365 49-9878
isabel.ramor@evonik.com

Nina Peck
Head of Market Communications
Smart Materials
Phone: +49 201 177-2223
nina.peck@evonik.com

SOURCE: Evonik