Evonik commences isophorone facilities in China

Construction in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) took less than two years. Evonik Industries primarily plans to use the output of the new plants to serve customers in the coatings and paint, construction, adhesives, and composite industry in Asia.

Evonik has fifty years of experience with isophorone chemistry and continuously improves its process technologies. So far products based on isophorone (crosslinkers) are being manufactured in Marl and Herne, Germany, and in Mobile, AL, USA.

“Evonik is the only company worldwide to cover the entire supply chain of isophorone and its derivatives. We now are in a position to quickly and reliably supply our customers in China and other Asian countries from our regional production, consistently offering products of high quality and purity,” explained Dr. Ulrich Küsthardt, Head of the Coatings & Additives Business Unit.

In addition to the new production complex, Evonik has built an application technology service centre with state-of-the-art laboratories at the Xinzhuang site in Shanghai. The custom-tailored isophorone solutions will strengthen the competitiveness of Asian customers, says the company.

Megatrend resource efficiency drives market growth

The global market for isophorone and its derivatives grows at a stronger annual rate than global gross domestic product, with Asia showing above-average growth. The demand is particularly driven by the megatrend of resource efficiency. Thus, composites, which are used, for instance, in lightweight construction for automobiles as well as in highly durable wind power stations, offer above-average growth potential.

In addition, isophorone chemistry prolongs the life expectancy of heavily used surfaces, which reduces maintenance cost and often makes renovations superfluous. Examples include floor coverings in parking garages, façades exposed to demanding climatic conditions, or ships operating in salty ocean water. Growth projections are also high for environmentally friendly coating technologies, such as UV-curing systems or solvent-free powder coatings.