Strong growth opportunities in the gas separation business have spurred Evonik to expand capacity for its Sepuran brand hollow-fiber membranes in Austria.

The German specialty chemicals company is investing a mid-double-digit million euro sum to double output of the membrane modules at its sites in Lenzing and nearby Schörfling.

The additional capacity is planned to go online in late 2017, with more than 30 new jobs to be created in Schörfling.

Claus Rettig, head of Evonik Resource Efficiency, said the company sees excellent growth opportunities for helium and hydrogen processing as well as for the efficient production of nitrogen from air.

Compared with conventional methods such as cryogenic separation, Evonik said gas separation via membranes is a new technology that offers higher energy efficiency at lower cost. As a result, experts are predicting higher growth for gases from membrane-based separation than from traditional processes.

The new hollow-fiber spinning plant will be particularly focused on producing membrane modules for extracting nitrogen. At more than 40%, nitrogen accounts for the largest share of the market for membrane-based gas separation.

The modules Evonik produces in Schörfling are mainly intended for the biogas market and for hydrogen and helium extraction. The Lenzing plant makes the high-performance polymer, polyimide, which is spun and then processed further in Schörfling.

Evonik added the Sepuran nitrogen extraction membranes to its portfolio early this year. The gas also extends the shelf life of foods, such as cheese, yoghurt and fruit as well as preserving the smell and taste.