Specialty chemicals company, Evonik, has announced a new multi-purpose silicone production facility in Geesthacht, Germany.
The reportedly double-digit million euro investment was launched following less than 18 months of construction. The project was completed on time and within the planned budget.
The Mayor of Geesthacht was amongst the construction partners, staff and local dignitaries to partake in an inauguration ceremony at the site on 10th January 2020.
The plant is located in Northern Germany, 30 kilometres outside the port city of Hamburg. Commissioning of the facility’s new tank farm started in December and incremental production increases are planned over the coming months.
Xiaolan Wang, head of the interface and performance business line of Evonik said: “I’m delighted to open our new facility and continue the long history of production at the site.”
Wang added: “The increased production footprint helps to strengthen our focus on silicone and nanotechnology specialty chemical products, while also providing our customers with a faster, more reliable supply of the products they need.”
To date, there has now been almost 35 years of continuous chemical production at the site - producing high-quality components and raw materials for the manufacture of sealants and adhesives, moulding and casting compounds and other products.
As it is on the same site as the existing plant, it was important to ensure production was kept running smoothly whilst the new tank farm had to be built and commissioned for use. The additional capacities required for a range of silicone and nanotechnology products include:
- Addition-curing silicones and silyl-terminated polymers which are used as binders for adhesives and sealants in parquet adhesives.
- Adhesives for wound care and other medical applications or in electronics such as e-mobility housings or potting materials.
To address the increasing market requirements a broad range of silyl-terminated polymers (SMP‘s) will also be produced.
Sabine Giessler-Blank, head of the polymer and construction specialties product line commented: “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. Giessler-Blank added: “Our customers rely on us to innovate and deliver property-enhancing products, for example developing SMP‘s 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.”
In addition to the increased capacity, a new tank truck filling facility has been completed at the site. Through simplifying the delivery and storage process for customers, Evonik hopes to also increase efficiency in this process as well.