Evonik Expanding Capacity for Isophorone in China

German chemical group Evonik is spending more than €100m capacity upgrade for isophorone and isophorone diamine at its Shanghai, China, complex. The expansion, designed to meet increasing demand from key customers in Asia, is due to be completed in Q1 2014. While the group declined to give current or future production volumes, it said total output will be "significantly" higher.

"As a world leader in isophorone-based products, we will continue to further consolidate and expand our position in this chemistry," said Ulrich Küsthardt, president of the Coatings & Additives business unit. The aim, of the investment, he said, "is to supply our Asian customers with the same high-quality products they are used to from our plants in Europe and the U.S,"

Evonik also manufactures isophorone products at Herne and Marl, German, Mobile, Alabama, U.S., and Antwerp, Belgium.