German specialty chemicals firm Evonik revealed plans this week to increase capacity of two additive product groups used in architectural paints, TEGO Phobe hydrophobing agents and TEGO Viscoplus polyurethane thickeners, by October.

“The capacity increase is our response to the increased demand for additives for architectural paints,” Nadia Lenhardt, head of the Decorative Coatings market segment in EMEA for Evonik, said in a company release. “The additional capacity in Europe will not only increase European, but also global supply security.”

Hydrophobing agents are used in façade paints to repel water. Evonik’s TEGO Phobe 1659 is based on silicone resins that reduce water absorption. The firm’s TEGO Phobe 1409, a polysiloxane, helps water to bead on the surface.

Evonik’s expansion is taking place in Europe.