Evonik commissions first plant in Shanghai

Germany’s Evonik Industries has commissioned a €250 million (US$345 million) plant for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) molding compounds in Shanghai, to supply the Chinese and Asian market. The new plant lies at the heart of an integrated methacrylate complex. The entire complex will comprise a 100,000 ton per year methyl methacrylate (MMA) unit and plants for methacrylic acid, butyl methacrylate and specialty methacrylates. Work on other plants is under way. The next plant to come on stream will be for specialty monomers which will start production by the end of December 2008. Plants for thermoplastic methacrylate resins and MMA will follow in 2009. (December 5, 2008)