Evonik to build new silicone plant in northern Germany

Geesthacht, Germany – Evonik Industries AG is building a new multi-purpose facility for the production of silicones and silane-terminated polymers at its site in Geesthacht in northern Germany.

In a 20-Sept statement, the company announced it was investing a “double-digit million Euro” amount in the construction of the new facility. The release did not give further details on the added production capacity.

The products, which are marketed under the brand names Polymer VS and Polymer ST, are used in many applications including in adhesives or encapsulation applications in electronics.

Scheduled to start operation at the end of 2019, the new unit will focus on innovative speciality chemicals, according to Dietmar Schaefer, head of the interface & performance business line of Evonik.

In addition to the increased production capacity, a facility for filling tank trucks is also being built at the site.

“This will simplify the delivery and storage process for our customers and in doing so increases efficiency,” said Sabine Giessler-Blank, head of the polymer & construction specialties product line.

According to Evonik, the Geesthacht site will focus on two areas of silicones and nanotechnology.

The addition- and condensation-curing silicones as well as the silane-terminated polymers are used as binders in adhesives and sealants, electronics and medical applications.

Furthermore, Evonik’s silica-based nanomaterials serve as property-enhancing additives in fibre composites, which are used in the automotive and aerospace industry.