Roof-topping ceremony for Evonik’s new hydrogen peroxide plant in Jilin (China)
- Invest of more than a hundred million Euro; Project on schedule
- Evonik capacity for hydrogen peroxide to increase by nearly 40 percent
- Promising future for hydrogen peroxide as an eco-sensible oxidation agent for the chemicals industry
Evonik marked the roof-topping phase of construction for its hydrogen peroxide plant in Jilin, China, with a ceremony on October 19, 2012. Situated in the northeast of the country, the plant is due to go online in late 2013 with an annual capacity for the production of 230,000 metric tons of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). That will increase Evonik’s current overall capacity of 600,000 metric tons p.a. by nearly 40 percent.
“This investment will serve to further consolidate our leading position in the market for hydrogen peroxide and it sees us systematically pursuing our investment strategy in Asia,” said Dr. Klaus Engel, the CEO of Evonik Industries, on the occasion of the ceremony.
A dedicated pipeline will enable Evonik to supply Jilin H2O2 directly to the neighboring Jishen Chemical Industry Co., Ltd propylene oxide plant. A long-term supply contract has been entered into for the purpose. Jishen will use the hydrogen peroxide to make propylene oxide using the HPPO process. Propylene oxide is used primarily in the manufacture of polyurethane intermediates, and polyurethane in turn goes into the making of products such as car seats and furniture.
“We’re registering a high level of global demand for our efficient HPPO process,” says Dr. Stefan Schulze, Head of Innovation at Evonik’s Advanced Intermediates Business Unit. “The Jilin facility is a further milestone in the drive to establish hydrogen peroxide as an eco-friendly oxidation agent in chemical synthesis.”
Evonik developed the HPPO process in cooperation with ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH. The new plant will be the second one to use this technology. The first large-scale facility of this kind was set up by ThyssenKrupp Uhde and the licensee, a Korean chemicals enterprise, in Ulsan, Korea, back in 2008.
About Evonik
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2011 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €14.5 billion and an operating profit (EBITDA) of about €2.8 billion.
Evonik Industries has been producing specialty chemical products in the Greater China region (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) since the late1970’s; with wide-ranging trading relations already in place prior to this in the region. Evonik regards Greater China as one of the driving forces of the global economy and we consequently endeavour to grow our business in the region. The company now has around 3,500 employees in the Greater China region, the regional sales reached over 1.2 billion in 2011.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.