Evonik ups foam capacity

Germany-based chemical firm Evonik is investing in a capacity expansion of its Performance Foams business at its production site in Darmstadt, Germany. The investment will increase the output of the facility by about 20% as a first step. The group will be adding production equipment to its operations complex that manufactures products marketed under the Rohacell brand. The expanded production capacity is expected to be operational by the second half of 2017.

"We have experienced double-digit growth of the Rohacell brand in recent years and have indications that this success will continue. With this consistent level of growth in global demand, we see this capacity expansion as a positive and necessary step toward assuring our customers of their continued access to our innovative product - now and far into the future," said Dr. Matthias Kottenhahn, Senior Vice President of High Performance Polymers Business Line at Evonik Resource Efficiency Segment.

Evonik's Darmstadt plant is currently producing Rohacell foam products that are used as a core material in the construction of sandwich composites. The global market has shown steady annual growth in the use of composites as multiple industries are facing the challenge of producing products for their customers that are lighter in weight, strong and dependable, plus efficient to manufacture.

"As the trend toward composite usage continues, we are prepared to respond with the lightweight solutions available in our Rohacell range of foam products. Whether it is an airplane, a car, a ship, a wind turbine blade, an electronic device or even a hockey stick - all can benefit from less overall weight. Rohacell foam is an ideal solution for future advancements in these products and by expanding our capacity, we will be ready to meet the needs of this changing marketplace," noted Dr. Andreas Hoff, Vice President of Performance Foams at Resource Efficiency Segment.

Rohacell is a rigid, structural polymethacrylimide foam used in the design and production of sandwich composites in aerospace, automotive, marine, sports equipment, electronics and medical technology. The ultra-lightweight foam provides composite part manufacturers a core material solution that can withstand high temperatures and pressures. This supports the use of quick and efficient part production, thereby lowering a manufacturer's production time and costs.

The Darmstadt plant is the original Performance Foams production facility, with additional production locations in Mobile, Alabama, USA and Shanghai, China that provide a regional supply team to customers in both North & South America and Asia.