Evonik Second Compounding Line Commissioning Ceremony in Shanghai

• Giving continuity to Evonik’s strategy to localize production of specialty polymer compounds
• Tripling Evonik’s existing capacity of high performance polymers production in China
• Will continuously support business in many different applications such as automotive, sports and electronics, particularly in China

The high performance polymers business line of Evonik commissioned its new compounding line at its Multi-User-Site-China (MUSC) located in Caojing, Shanghai this September. With this expansion the business line gives continuity to its strategy to localize production of specialty polymer compounds by tripling its existing capacity of high performance polymers production in China. In order to guarantee global and local customers of the highest quality standards, Evonik high performance polymers decided to use turn-key technology from Germany ensuring similar product quality regardless of the plant location on a global basis. This state of the art compounding line will support the fast growth the business line has been experiencing in Asia and in particular in China over the last years in many different applications such as automotive, sports and electronics.

The celebration ceremony was held in Shanghai recently with the presence of key customers, partners and Evonik employees to mark this key step in the growth strategy of Evonik’s high performance polymers.

“Asia and in particular Greater China are areas of major importance to Evonik’s global growth strategy. The commissioning of the new compounding line marks another important milestone in Evonik’s long history of manufacturing in Greater China,” said Helio Takahashi, Sr. Vice President Asia Pacific, Performance Polymers business unit, Evonik, “Additionally, the new compounding line’s ‘green’ systems and construction help Evonik to honor its commitment to sustainable operations and the new compounding line will help Evonik to better our customers across the region, reinforcing our focus on growth in these rapidly developing economies. “

Siamak Djafarian, General Manager Asia Pacific, High Performance Polymers business line, Evonik, said, “With this new line we will not only be able to support our challenging growth objectives in Asia and Greater China, but we will gain flexibility in by improving our speed of operation and our ability to increase local developments tailored to the specific needs of our customers.” In particular Evonik high performance polymers will develop polymers made out of renewable sources and marketed under the VESTAMID® Terra brand. Siamak Djafarian then added “This is one of the steps in the many expansion activities we are undertaking to become the worldwide specialty nylon producer with integrated operations in several regions guaranteeing dual source of supply to our customers”. Indeed Evonik has also plans to expand further its polyamide operation in China and will build in Singapore a 20,000 MT Nylon 12 plant by end of 2014.

During the ceremony for the new compounding line, Evonik demonstrated its commitment to all its stakeholders - customers, authorities, community and employees - to have a long term sustainable and profitable growth for the benefit of all parties in Asia.