Vynova plans investment to construct new alcoholates plant in Germany
| By Mary Bailey
Vynova Group, part of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG), plans to invest a high double-digit million euro amount in the construction of a plant complex for the production of all common sodium and potassium alcoholates at the Lülsdorf site in Germany.
ICIG acquired the Lülsdorf site from Evonik earlier this year and currently produces sodium and potassium alcoholates exclusively for Evonik through its subsidiary Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH (LFS). Due to regulatory requirements (UN Minamata Convention on Mercury), the LFS alcoholate production facilities will have to be closed at the end of 2027.
Alcoholates, also known as alkoxides, are used in a variety of applications, but predominantly in the production of biodiesel. With the planned investment, Vynova Group will ensure the continuous supply of the European market from local production.
Vynova Group already operates a smaller production plant for sodium methylate at its subsidiary MSSA in La Rochelle (France) with an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes.