Evonik to Add Sodium Methylate CapacityEvonik to Add Sodium Methylate Capacity
December 4, 2019

Specialty chemicals and performance materials firm Evonik announced plans Tuesday to boost production of sodium methylate at its plant in Rosario, Argentina from 60,000 mt/yr to 90,000 mt/yr. The company said the expansion project is in response to higher demand for biodiesel in South America, particularly in Brazilian and Argentinian markets.
“Confirmed higher mandates in Brazil such as the biodiesel blend increase from 11% to 15% by 2023, but also the competitiveness of biodiesel exports from Argentina throughout the world drive our decision,” Marcos Salgueiro, general manager of Evonik’s Functional Solutions business line in South America, said in a company release. “This is why we continue to invest in our efficient reliable plant which is strategically located right in the center of the Argentinian soybean and biodiesel production region.”=
Sodium methylate is used as a catalyst in the large-scale production of biodiesel. The company said it will invest in infrastructure and logistics assets in South America, including improvements to its storage capabilities in the region.
“This investment, coupled with the ongoing expansion of our sodium methylate plant in Mobile, AL, demonstrates our commitment to the Americas,” Andreas Kripzak, vice president and general manager, Americas, at Evonik, said in a statement.
The expansion of the Rosario plant is expected to reach completion in 2021. In addition to the plants in Argentina and the US, Evonik also manufactures sodium methylate in Luelsdorf, Germany. Evonik launched an expansion project at its Mobile, AL sodium methylate plant last December.
Earlier this year, German chemicals firm BASF revealed plans to increase sodium methylate production at its Guaratingueta, Brazil factory from 60,000 mt to 80,000 mt.
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