Today marked the official start of the construction for the upper two digit million euro investment whereby guests including government officials, regional and global contacts of Evonik’s key customers and strategic partners all attended the ceremony.
The new plant will be built on 33,000 sqm plot of land at Evonik’s Multi-User-Site in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park, located in the Yangtze River Delta Economic Zone with an annual capacity of 80 kt.
“By building the new organics production facility here in Shanghai, we are well prepared to support and serve the Asia Pacific market,” said Klaus Engel, chairman of Evonik’s executive board.
“The new investment will bring the latest technology and ensure consistent high quality raw materials which meet local requirements as well as international standards,” he added.
According to the company, the new plant is to supply markets in China and Asia Pacific with innovative ingredients and specialty surfactants based on renewable raw materials for the personal care and industrial specialties industry.
“Consequently, we want to boost our competitiveness and strengthen our position as specialty ingredients supplier not only in Asia but also globally,” said Claus Rettig, president of the business unit consumer specialties.
Sustainability
Evonik says the facility is also setting environmental standards with the responsibility for the environment and to Shanghai, stating that the company will implement state-of-the-art environmental protection measures like “sophisticated air pollution and waste treatment controls and two-step waste water treatment.”
In addition to the construction of this plant, Evonik is expanding its R&D center at its Xinzhuang site in Shanghai, with an investment of €23 million.
The expansion is said to include state-of-the art laboratories for research and development, application technology, and technical service, with aims to develop product applications and provide technology service for customers throughout China and Asia Pacific.