The multi-million-dollar investment, Vantage said, is a two-phase expansion that will almost triple the site’s capacity for N-methyltaurine, a strategic building block. The initial phase was completed in September 2022 with the second phase expected to come online in early 2025.

Steve Doktycz, CEO of Vantage Specialty Chemicals, said: “As a longstanding leader in natural product derivatives, the expansion in Leuna reinforces our leadership in the taurates value chain. The additional capacity will allow us to meet global demand for mild surfactants, particularly in personal care where formulators favor our effective, sulfate-free surfactant portfolio for applications targeting sensitive skin and scalp irritation."

In addition to adding significant product capacity, the investment will further strengthen energy efficiency at the site, reducing steam consumption by approximately 40% annually which relates to approximately 1,000 t/y of CO₂ emissions, the company stated.

The Leuna site became part of Vantage in 2019 and claims to be one of the world’s leading producers of taurates and their building blocks. The site also manufactures specialty surfactants and intermediates that support Vantage’s consumer and industrial business divisions.