MOSCOW (MRC) -- Construction work on Evonik's new polyamide (PA) 12 complex at Marl Chemical Park is virtually complete and it will be taken into operation this year, as per the company's press release.
Construction of the new complex has been virtually completed in just under two years. The individual process units will now be taken into regular operation step-by-step. Full start-up is scheduled for the fourth quarter.
The complex creates 120 new highly skilled jobs. At the same time, it increases Evonik's production capacity for this high-performance polymer by more than 50% and gives it the world's largest PA 12 production complex in Marl (Germany).
Evonik has invested around half a billion euros in this future-oriented project. That is the largest investment in the company’s history in Germany.
The high-performance polymer polyamide 12 is used in attractive growth markets such as 3D printing, medical technology, automotive engineering, and as substitute for steel. Evonik's sites in Asia also offered attractive conditions for the construction of the world's most modern PA 12 complex.
Minister President Armin Laschet said: “Evonik’s decision to build its new polyamide 12 complex here is further strong evidence of the attractiveness of our federal state. Politicians have to make sure that economic policy provides the right conditions. If we, as the state government, had not started to dismantle unnecessary and restrictive regulations and free up the economy as soon as we took office, this facility might now be in Asia. To make Germany climate-neutral yet ensure it remains an industrial hub, we need a decade of modernization in which we reduce bureaucracy and speed up our planning and permitting processes.”
Christian Kullmann, chairman of Evonik's executive board, praised the fact that the new complex can start operating this year despite the pandemic-related restrictions as a “masterstroke by our team.” He added: “Three years ago, we decided to produce this leading high-tech German product for the world market here in the Ruhr region. We have kept our word and completion of the demanding construction phase is almost on schedule. That creates growth, value, and jobs.”
Evonik has been developing customized high-performance polymers for demanding applications for more than 50 years and is a global leader in the production of PA 12. VESTAMID compounds benefit from high demand in attractive markets, while the PA 12 powder VESTOSINT is used, for example, to coat metals for consumer goods, dishwasher baskets, and parts used in the automotive industry. For many years, Evonik has also developed special polymer powders that enable industrial production of high-tech components using 3D printing.
As MRC reported earlier, Evonik expects its global circular plastics program to generate additional sales of more than EUR350 million a year by 2030.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 744,130 tonnes in the first four month of 2021, up by 4% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, PP deliveries to the Russian market were 523,900 tonnes in January-April 2021, up by 55% year on year. Supply of homopolymer PP and PP block copolymers increased, whereas shipments of PP random copolymers decreased.
Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-oriented 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. The company is active in more than 100 countries around the world and generated sales of EUR12.2 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of EUR1.91 billion in 2020.
MRC