Growing demand has spurred German specialty chemicals company Evonik to expand capacity for polyamide 12 (PA12) powders at its Marl site. The additional production line will raise output by 50% when it starts up in late 2017. Actual capacity details were not disclosed and investment costs were put in the mid double-digit million euros.

Ralph Sven Kaufmann, Evonik’s chief operating officer, said the investment is the next step in the company’s growth strategy. “Our intention is to solidify Evonik’s leading position as a provider of PA12-based high performance polymers and utilize the growth potential of new application areas,” he said.

The company is projecting attractive long-term market growth for the powders sold under the brand name Vestosint. They are used to coat metals for household appliances, such as dishwasher baskets, as well as in automotive and medical technology production and as matting and structural agents in coatings.

Evonik also expects significantly increased demand in tool-free production, especially in 3D printing, where the PA12 powders are particularly suited for use in selective laser and high-speed sintering.

Another growth market is fiber composite materials where the powders are said to be an ideal matrix for thermoplastic composites made of fiberglass, carbon, aramid or steel fibers. Other applications are in the automotive and oil drilling industries, the sports sector and in orthopedics.