December 15, 2023
(press release)
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Marl, Germany. Specialty chemicals company Evonik has begun work to expand its POLYVEST® HT plant in Marl, Germany. The Coating & Adhesive Resins business line expects the additional production capacity for its hydroxyl-terminated polybutadienes (HTPB) – marketed under the brand name POLYVEST® – to be ready as early as the second quarter of 2024 following the double-digit million-euro investment. “By expanding our operations, we will continue to provide reliable service to our global customers,” says Dr. Stefan Pfaffenbach, head of the business line. “In a highly competitive market, we are strengthening our position as a cost and innovation leader.” The expansion comes ten years after the start of production at the HTPB plant in Marl. Dr. Jürgen Herwig, head of the Polybutadienes and Specialty Acrylates product line, says: “Dual-use products such as polybutadienes require a high degree of sensitivity and expertise when dealing with customers and authorities. So when it comes to marketing this highly specialized product, we can rely on our colleagues’ experience and expertise to promote the additional capacities.” Production is backward-integrated, as butadiene is produced directly at the Marl site and hydrogen peroxide is supplied by the Evonik Group. Thus, Evonik benefits from supply security for the raw materials for its POLYVEST® production. In addition, Evonik’s Application Technology and Research & Development teams are also located at the Marl site, providing a seamless link from laboratory development and testing, through to production. POLYVEST® HT is a liquid, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene produced by free-radical polymerization. The polymer has a highly hydrophobic polybutadiene backbone and primary hydroxyl groups that are accessible for precise chemical modification. POLYVEST® HT is used as a polyol component in various adhesive and sealant applications. POLYVEST® HT-A is intended for aerospace applications. 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. 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. 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.
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