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Capacity expansion planned in isophorone chemistry
Evonik Industries intends to construct a new
production plant for isophorone and isophorone
diamine. A suitable site is being sought,
and economic and strategic market factors
play an important role in this decision. Production
is scheduled to start in 2013. The
Board of Management of Evonik Degussa
GmbH has now approved the plant project
plan.
“Isophorone chemistry is a core business
for Evonik. The market for isophorone and
its derivatives is growing steadily and proved
to be robust even during the economic crisis.
That’s why we want to sustainably strengthen
our market and technological leadership by
capacity expansion,” explained Dr. Klaus
Engel, Chairman of the Executive Board of
Evonik Industries.
In planning construction of a world-scale,
state-of-the-art plant, Evonik is responding
to increasing demand from its customers in a
large number of user industries. With this investment,
moreover, the company is creating
a framework for possible subsequent expansion
of its range in isophorone chemistry.
“We strive for meeting our customers‘
expectations and future needs best possible
Evonik´s isophorone plant in Herne (Germany)
MoU on the construction
of new production
plants for hydrogen
peroxide and propylene
oxide
Evonik Industries and the Indian chemical
company Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals
Limited (GACL) are driving forward plans for
a new multi-million project. At its heart is the
construction of a new hydrogen peroxide
production plant by Evonik and a propylene
oxide facility by GACL. The aim is to pro duce
propylene oxide using the environmentfriendly
HPPO (Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene
Oxide) process developed jointly by
Evonik and Uhde, Dort mund (Germany).
Representatives of Evonik and GACL have
now signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) on the proposed project in Dahej in
the state of Gujurat (India). The project is
elements34 Issue 1|2011
regarding costs and geographic proximity,”
says Gerd Brand, head of the Crosslinkers
Business Line. “So we‘re particularly looking
at attractive investment climates in South-
East Asia and China and will take these into
consideration when taking the final decision
for the location of our new plant.” Evonik
currently has production sites in Herne and
Marl (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), as well
as Mobile (Alabama, USA).
contingent upon the approval of the Executive
Board and Super visory Board of Evonik
Industries AG.
The Memorandum of Understanding is
expected to mark the start of a close and lasting
collaboration between Evonik and GACL,
which intends to acquire a license from
Evonik and Uhde to use the HPPO process to
produce propylene oxide. Evonik will produce
and supply the hydrogen peroxide required
for the planned new propylene plant at
an over-the-fence facility. Experts are predicting
a sharp rise in global demand for propylene
oxide in the coming years.
The model for this alliance in India is the
world’s first industrial-scale HPPO production
facility, which has capacity of 100,000
met ric tons p.a. This plant was started up in
2008 by the Korean company SKC in Ulsan
(Korea) and has operated continuously at maximum
capacity since it came into service.
„The new project in India is further evidence
that we are moving in the right direction
with our innovative, environment-friend-
Evonik is the only company in the world to
produce and market the entire isophorone
line, consisting of isophorone, isophorone
diamine, isophorone diisocyanate, and derivatives.
These products are used as an important
component in a wide range of applications,
for example, in the production of
industrial floorings, artificial leather, and
paints and coatings as well as in the growth
area of high performance composites.
ly HPPO technology. Our strategic objective
is to gain access to new markets for hydrogen
peroxide in addition to the conventional applications,“
according to Dr. Thomas Haeberle
of the Board of Management of Evonik
Degussa GmbH.
Traditionally, hydrogen peroxide has been
supplied to the paper and pulp industry.
Evonik is the world‘s second-largest producer
of this environment-friendly bleaching and
oxidation agent, with capacity of around
600,000 metric tons p.a. at production facilities
in Europe, North America, South Ameri
ca, New Zealand, Asia, South Africa and
Indonesia. The HPPO process developed
with Uhde is an innovative route for the production
of propylene oxide from hydrogen
peroxide.
This route has clear advantages compared
with the conventional production process for
propylene oxide. Investment in the HPPO process
is far lower, making it more eco nomical.
Moreover, the process is extremely environment-friendly:
High yields are achiev ed and