Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) opened a new plant for hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) in Marl, Germany. The group invested a mid-double-digit million euro amount in the plant, which has a production capacity of several thousand metric tons per year (m.t./yr). Evonik will market HTPB under the brand name Polyvest HT, and with it the company is extending its polybutadienes product portfolio by a further functionalized grade.
Polyvest HT is primarily used in sealing compounds for insulating glass windows as well as in adhesives for automotive construction. "With Polyvest HT we are making use of the growth driver of resource efficiency. Because the need for products that contribute to using resources more efficiently is high," explains Dr. Ulrich Küsthardt, head of the Coatings & Additives Business Unit.
The construction of the Polyvest HT production plant in Germany is an investment in customer proximity and sustainability. Most markets for HTPB are located in Europe. "With the Marl production site we have a backward integration in butadiene, good application technology support, and in addition, we are able to offer our customers a good supply security and significantly reduced delivery times," explains Dr. Dietmar Wewers, head of the Coating & Adhesive Resins Business Line.