Germany’s Evonik and Dow Chemical – the latter is part of newly merged DowDuPont –  have decided to terminate their StoHaas acrylic acid joint venture with effect from Dec. 31, 2017. For its part, the Essen-based chemical producer said the move is part of a new corporate strategy to optimize its acrylic acid production.

StoHaas has production facilities in Marl, Germany, and a plant at Deer Park, Texas, USA. These will revert to companies connected to their original owners, with Evonik taking back the Marl plant and the Deer Park facility becoming part of DowDuPont. According to published figures, the Marl plant produces 265,000 t/y. Output in Deer Park totals 165,000 t/y.

"The liquidation of the joint venture enables both companies to better track their different strategic goals. We have to combine high security of supply with a good cost position, "said  Norbert Westerholt, head of Evonik’s Baby Care business unit.

The companies said their mutual acrylic acid supply contracts will continue.

The 50:50 jv was founded in 1999 between Stockhausen, then a subsidiary of Evonik predecessor Degussa-Hüls, and Rohm & Haas, a subsidiary of Dow. The former partners said jobs are not affected by the transaction.