Röhm Opens MMA Plant in Texas
Significant milestone for Röhm at the methyl methacrylate (MMA) plant in Bay City, Texas (USA): the company's own LiMA technology is now in full industrial operation. Following commissioning, the plant underwent a structured ramp-up phase and has now reached full production capacity in recent months.
To mark the progress, Röhm opened the plant in Bay City as part of an official celebration for customers, partners and political representatives. Attendees were given exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into ongoing production and LiMA technology.
LiMA stands for "Leading in MethAcrylates". MMA is a key component for applications in the automotive industry, construction, manufacturing, electronics and medical technology. It is also the first C2-based MMA production plant in North America - an important contribution to strengthening regional supply chains and expanding local production capacities.
Hans Bohnen, CEO of Röhm, emphasized the strategic importance of the Bay City facility, saying it exemplifies the company's commitment to leadership through technology and long-term investment. "As the only global supplier of methyl methacrylate and polymethyl methacrylate with production sites in Europe, Asia and North America, we are in a unique position to supply our customers worldwide reliably, locally and with leading technology," said Bohnen.
The Bay City facility improves supply security for North American customers by utilizing readily available raw materials such as ethylene and natural gas, as well as proximity to end markets.
"The investment underscores our long-term commitment to our customers in the region. The strategic location of Bay City allows us to efficiently serve both the North American and global markets," said Jack Chenault, President of Röhm Americas. Approximately 90 employees operate the facility with a clear focus on safety. "Safety is our top priority," said Chenault.
Insights into the plant under the motto "Redefining Chemistry" During the event, participants were given exclusive insights into central production areas such as the reactor system - the heart of the technology - and MMA distillation. They gained a direct impression of how LiMA technology is used on an industrial scale.
The technology was developed over many years in Germany and successfully transferred to industrial scale in the USA with the support of investor Advent International. Advent has invested around USD 1.6 billion (approx. EUR 1.5 billion) as part of the partnership to drive innovation and sustainable growth.
"The LiMA technology not only marks a technological quantum leap, but is a real game changer for the methacrylate industry," says Ronald Ayles of Advent International. "The plant in Bay City impressively demonstrates that this process is powerful on an industrial scale and also offers efficiency and environmental benefits."
Efficiency, sustainability and digitalization With an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes of MMA, the plant is consistently designed to achieve maximum yield with minimum use of raw materials. Compared to conventional manufacturing processes, LiMA technology reduces energy and water consumption and cuts CO₂ emissions by up to 42%.
The sustainability measures go far beyond the production process: wetlands around the site create a virtually closed water circulation system that treats process and cooling water in an environmentally friendly way.
The plant also relies on modern digital technologies, including a digital twin that maps the plant's structure, production processes and control system. This system is updated daily and supports the planning of operations, plant components and predictive maintenance. It also enables simulation-based analyses to optimize long-term performance and reliability.
In North America, Röhm strengthens customer proximity through a customized supply chain network with several tank and transshipment terminals. The MMA produced - marketed under the Meracryl brand - is distributed via a multimodal logistics system consisting of truck, rail and barge transportation. This newly designed supply network reduces long-distance transportation by truck and increases supply security via rail transport. This enables reliable and flexible deliveries in the region and to international customers, while also strengthening Röhm's position as a preferred MMA supplier. "We are sending a clear signal to our customers: Röhm stands for reliability and quality - and is consistently investing in the future of the industry," said Chenault.
