Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) is building an integrated production plant for organic specialty surfactants at its site in Shanghai, China. With an investment in the upper double-digit million euro range, the production network is scheduled to begin operation in mid 2013. The various specialty surfactants, based on renewable raw materials, will be used primarily for cosmetics and laundry-care products, as well as for industrial applications.
Evonik Industries also announced that it has closed a purchase agreement to acquire the hanse chemie Group (Geesthacht, Germany). By acquiring the Group, which includes hanse chemie AG and nanoresins AG, Evonik says it will be able to enter additional markets for specialty applications in silicone chemistry. Both parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The sale is still subject to the approval of the corporate bodies.