Evonik is reshaping its hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) portfolio to become more customer-focused and in response to growing demand for its Hyprox, Oxteril, Persynt and Clarmarin brands. The German group said it is currently working on an extensive program to realign its four production sites in Europe, located at Delfzijl, the Netherlands; Antwerp, Belgium; Rheinfelden, Germany and Weissenstein, Switzerland.

The program will see capacity expanded and commissioned this year as well as the establishment of a new logistics center, which Evonik said would enable the business to offer smaller package sizes. Details on actual production figures and the location of the logistics center were not disclosed.

Susanne Reinhart, head of the company’s Active Oxygens Europe, Middle East & Africa business area, said that following the realignment Evonik will be faster, more flexible and closer to its customers in various industries, including pharmaceutical and cosmetics, processing of food packaging, pulp and textiles. “We want to be able to react to the very different requirements of our customers and to work together with them to develop solution concepts for the future,” she said.

Evonik, which produces around 950,000 t/y of the bleaching agent and claims to be the second largest producer worldwide, expects to finish implementing the measures resulting from its realignment program by the middle of 2018.

In separate news, the Korea Herald newspaper reported that Evonik is in talks with South Korea’s SK Chemicals (SKC) to collaborate on H2O2 as well as on hydrogen peroxide-to-propylene oxide (HPPO) technology. SKC said a partnership in HPPO technology could help both companies secure a bigger presence in the PO market.