Evonik Resource Efficiency, an offshoot of Essen-based chemical producer Evonik, has announced it will expand capacity of its Rohacell brand foam production facility at Darmstadt, Germany by about 20%. The first expansion stage, in which new production equipment will be installed, is due on stream in the second half of 2017.  Investment costs have not been disclosed.

The plant, part of Evonik’s Performance Foams business, manufactures a rigid, structural polymethacrylimide foam used in the design and production of sandwich composites in aerospace, automotive, marine, sports equipment, electronics and medical technology. The ultra-lightweight foam also is said to withstand high temperatures and pressure.

Evonik said the expansion is in response to steady annual global growth in the use of composites as multiple industries face the challenge of developing products that are lightweight, strong and dependable in addition to being efficient to manufacture.

Matthias Kottenhahn, senior vice president of the High Performance Polymers Business Line, said the Rohacell brand has experienced double-digit growth in recent years and the company expects demand to continue positive. “With this consistent level of growth in global demand, we see this capacity expansion as a positive and necessary step toward assuring our customers of their continued access to our innovative product – now and far into the future," he added.

Alongside Darmstadt, Evonik has additional foam production locations at Mobile, Alabama, USA, and Shanghai, China, supplying customers in both North & South America and Asia respectively.