German specialty chemicals firm Evonik held an event last Friday to inaugurate its new multi-purpose silicones production plant in Geesthacht, Germany. The “double-digit million euro” project was finished on schedule in less than 18 months. 

“I am delighted to open our new facility and continue the long history of production at the site,” said Dr. Xiaolan Wang, the leader Evonik’s Interface & Performance Business Line, in a company press release. “The increased production footprint helps to strengthen our focus on silicone and nanotechnology specialty chemical products, while also producing our customers with a faster, more reliable supply of the products they need.”

After starting to commission the site’s tank farm in December, the company intends to increase production during the next few months. The additional capacity will be used to produce silicone and nanotechnology products, including addition-curing silicones, silyl-terminated polymers (SMPs), and adhesives for use in medical and electronics applications. 

“The other advantage of creating more room and flexibility in our production schedule is that we can react quickly to changing market demands, as well as develop new products,” Dr. Sabine Giessler-Blank, who leads the Polymer & Construction Specialties Product Line, said in a statement. “Our customers rely on us to innovate and deliver property-enhancing products, for example developing SMPs to address the trend for roofing and liquid membranes, or help them to meet the growing demand for strong, but lightweight fiber composite applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.”

During the project, Evonik also added a new tank truck filling facility to improve its delivery and storage process, according to the company. The Geesthacht site has been operated by Evonik for 35 years. 

A joint venture between Evonik and Chinese firm Wynca, Silicon Material Co. Ltd., started work on a new fumed silica plant in Zhenjiang, China last December. Once operational, the site will produce about 9000 mt/yr of AEROSIL brand fumed silica. Earlier that year, Evonik announced that its “upper double-digit million euro” fumed silica plant in Antwerp, Belgium became operational. The company also added production capabilities for hydrophilic fumed silica at the Antwerp complex in response to increased demand for specialty hydrophobic silicas. 

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