Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany) has broken ground on its plant expansion for specialty amines in Nanjing, during a ceremony attended by Nanjing government delegates on November 8. This milestone underscores Evonik’s commitment to the development of the polyurethane and epoxy curing agent markets. The expansion at the existing production site strengthens Evonik’s presence in China, a vital region for the company’s global operations.
The expansion represents a strategic investment in the double-digit million euro range, allowing Evonik to enhance its amine portfolio by accessing cost-effective raw materials. By increasing production in China, Evonik strengthens its competitiveness and improves market efficiency, optimizing its production network. This expansion supports future market growth and aligns with Evonik’s global amine strategy to further differentiate its product offerings.
“The groundbreaking of our new specialty amines plant is testament to Evonik’s strategic focus on expanding our capabilities in Asia and our confidence in its potential. China’s role as a competitive production hub is pivotal for both our regional and global business strategies,” said, Dr. Claudine Mollenkopf, Head of Evonik’s Specialty Additives division. “This investment not only strengthens our position in the polyurethane and epoxy markets, but also highlights our commitment to sustainable growth and innovation.”
The Nanjing plant runs on green electricity and specializes in producing amine-based additives crucial for industries such as construction, automotive, and furnishings. These additives play a significant role as catalysts during polyurethane foam formation. Innovative catalysts also reduce odor and VOC emissions. In November 2023, Evonik signed a Letter of Intent with the Nanjing authorities to expand the plant with construction to be completed in 2026.
“The amine expansion project is key to our business, enabling us to continue serving our customers in the automotive, construction, furniture and consumer goods markets with high-performance amine-based additives,” said Roberto Vila-Keller, Head of the Comfort & Insulation business line. “By expanding our production capabilities in China, bolstering our other sites in Japan and Singapore, we are even better positioned to meet the increasing demand for sustainable polyurethane additives across the region.”
Evonik’s cooperation with the Nanjing government continues to flourish, as demonstrated by the successful groundbreaking ceremony attended by local government officials. This expansion aligns with Evonik’s strategy to enhance competitiveness by leveraging cost-efficient production locations in China.